I want stress on two points:
1) You can enjoy the fruits of your labor. Its your hard earned money. If you use the houses, visit them, or even just walk in them once a year. 0 taxes. And you can still own them, no pressure, but if you are that rich, you better help out socienty and the economy.
2) The tax system is voluntary in Islam. It’s a honorary system. Just like praying and fasting.
Very interesting. So, are you saying that paying "voluntary taxes" is more socially/religiously "enforced" than it is enforced by the State? As in, if you don't do it you might get ostracized, shunned, or "excommunicated" from your mosque? That actually makes sense under a theocratic system. I appreciate this.
Oh not at all. One of the first teaching of Islam is "There is no compulsion in religion".
It’s a commitment you chose to abide by, between you and God, you either hold to it or don’t.
The state has nothing to do with it, and mosques/sheikhs don’t hold any power. No matter what the media shows you.
Just like how one might not pray, or not fast, they can also not pay tax. 🤷🏻♂️
There is no shunning or excommunication in islam. I understand why one would think that, what you see from “islamic” countries are not always in 100% in accordance with Islam. Many of them have turned into theocratic systems as you mentioned.
I have learned something today, and I thank you for that.
(BTW, love the profile pic and handle.)
Just thinking about this. So...if taxation is truly voluntary, and not coerced by the State, then it's basically a form of charity--so I would have to categorize this under "private property" plain and simple. I think my original point stands. Don't you think?
Yes and no. Its complicated.
Its a sin not to do it. It’s obligatory between you and God. No one can force you, but its a part of the religion. Makes sense?
Charity, if you don’t do it, it’s not a sin.
Islams Tax (what is called Zakat) is not charity. Tax, has a specific calculation (2.5% of the value), and an asset has to meet certain criteria (eg. 1 year unused) for it require the owner to pay its taxes, and the money goes to specific groups of people (the orphans, poor, etc etc). I am keeping it simple here, this is very difficult to explain in text.
Charity is what ever you want to whomever you want at any time.
This is a higher more spiritual level of commitment.
I see...it's a moral/religious requirement, but it's not a civil/political requirement. It's a "sin" not to pay it, but it's not a "crime' not to pay it.
I guess I would respond that--since religion cannot be enforced--being Muslim in the first place is voluntary, and adherence to the tenets of Islam are also, therefore, voluntary. Wouldn't you agree?
Nice discussion. I learned something new. Thanks for that.
Take a nice zap both for that 🧡⚡️
To me it still is capitalism with voluntary social/moral rules and/or limitations.
I think only due to weak money rich people own things which they actually don’t use (like multiple houses which they down use and leave empty), just because it stores value better than the currency.
This leads to an increase in the price of these items because they are no longer just purchased for their utility but also as a store of value, adding a monetary premium to their price. This can make these items unaffordable for the working class, which results in social problems and often capitalism gets blamed. However, Bitcoin will pull the monetary premium out of all other asset classes, allowing their prices to recalibrate based on their actual utility.
You are too kind! Thank you, humbled.
