Imposing Tax

Questioner: The ḥadīth: ((لا يدخل الجنة صاحب مَكْس)) "A person who imposes مكس will not enter Paradise"—first, what is the authenticity of this ḥadīth? Secondly, what is 'مكس' in general and does it include customs duties collected nowadays? What is the origin of 'مكس' and does it apply to the duties collected today? Sheikh Al-Albāni raḥimahullāh: As for the ḥadīth, its chain of transmission is weak. However, there is an alternative narration that suffices us from having to rely on a weak ḥadīth. You may recall the story of the Ghāmidiyah woman who committed adultery and was stoned by the Prophet ﷺ. Perhaps some people spoke ill of her, to which the Prophet ﷺ said, "She has repented with a repentance that, if the people of Madinah were to repent similarly, it would suffice them." In another narration: ((لو تاب صاحب مكس لغفر له)) "If the one who imposes مكس were to repent similarly, he would be forgiven" [Muslim]. This ḥadīth clearly condemns those who impose مكس. Of course, 'مكس' refers to taxes, and 'مكوس' are taxes in general. Islam does not legislate such taxes when it is fully implemented as a comprehensive system, not just in name without being put into action. When Islam is properly applied, Muslims will find in their Sharī‘ah enough provisions to spare them from the need for taxes and duties. Unfortunately, it is true of most Muslim rulers—and I do not single them out, but include the governed/general population as well—that they have turned away from ruling according to what Allāh has ordained. If they had adhered to the Sharī‘ah, it would have sufficed them over what is known today as Western laws and systems.