Tax Collection Struggles

The Life of Prophet Muhammad - by Sheikh Azhar Nasser

After the Conquest of Makkah, the prophet dispatched tax collectors to different Bedouin tribes, aiming to consolidate an Islamic state and establish a system of governance that would ensure stability, support the needed, and fund state activities.
Some tribes like the Tribe of Bnau Tamim resisted paying taxes however, potentially because thought the prophet was giving women too many rights. After the prophet sent riders to enforce the taxes, the tribe sent a delegation to the prophet to negotiate a truce.
This event led to the early versese of Surah Al-Hujurat (#49) of the Quran being revealed, which chided the Muslims to not raise their voices in above that of the prophet.
Prophet's Guidance to Tax Collectiors
- He'd remind them about the importance of fairness and compassion. Don't intimidate people.
- They were to trust the people's declarations of their wealth. They weren't authorized to investigate deeply. The honor system was encouraged, to teach people to assume fellow muslims were honest, not deceitful
- They were encouraged to act with kindess and not be a burden
- If there were local needy people, distribute taxes to them
- Leave the best of people's crops and livestock untouched, showing respect for their livelihood and well being
Lecture notes available at http://www.why-quran.org/?p=750.
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