Firstly, a Muslim must enjoin what is right and forbid what is evil to the best of their ability and by the means available to them. As part of enjoining what is right and forbidding what is evil, boycotting the products of the enemies of Islam and Muslims, especially those at war, is an obligation. A Muslim does this with the intention of seeking reward from Allāh and as a form of jihād (struggle) in the cause of Allāh. The evidence for this is the saying of the Prophet Muḥammad (peace be upon him): “Strive against the polytheists with your wealth, your lives, and your tongues.” [Narrated by Abū Dāwūd].

Additionally, Thumāmah ibn ᾽Athāl boycotted the polytheists of Mecca by cutting off their food supply, saying: “By Allāh, not a single grain of wheat will reach you until the Prophet of Allāh (peace be upon him) permits it.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) also boycotted some Muslims and prevented dealings with them short of fighting or declaring them unbelievers, as happened with the three individuals who stayed behind from the Battle of Tabūk. Boycotting the enemies of Islam is therefore even more obligatory and prioritized.

This boycott weakens their ranks and economy, stirs unrest among their people, and preoccupies them with their internal issues, reducing their ability to harm Muslims. Therefore, boycotting is obligatory for everyone who is able, considering the circumstances.

Secondly, regarding tax money, it differs from products as it is not a voluntary act but is imposed by law, and failing to pay it can result in real harm. The general principle is to fulfill obligations: “O you who believe, fulfill [all] contracts.” [Quran 5:1], and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The believers must adhere to their conditions.” Paying taxes is a condition of residency.

It is not appropriate to evade tax payment, even if those in authority misuse some of the collected funds. However, a Muslim should strive to minimize what they pay legally, such as by donating part of their income to charity, supporting family members who can be included in tax filings, or finding lawful deductions like education or business expenses. By doing so, a Muslim minimizes their tax burden within legal bounds and avoids penalties, intending to seek Allāh’s reward and prevent the wrongdoing of the rulers. They will be rewarded twice: in this world and the Hereafter.

If there is no legal way to reduce taxes, then one must pay them. There were instances of transactions between Muslims and non-Muslims during wartime, as in the ḥadīth of ῾Abdurraḥmān ibn Abī Bakr in Bukhārī: “We were with the Prophet (peace be upon him) when a polytheist man brought sheep and drove them along. The Prophet (peace be upon him) asked, ‘Are they for sale or a gift?’ He said, ‘For sale,’ so the Prophet bought a sheep from him.”

We advise Muslims to be extremely cautious in dealing with legal matters to avoid causing a greater harm than the issue at hand.

Fatwā issued by Dr. Khālid Naṣr