Zakat, taxes and estate duty

There is a fundamental difference between taxes and estate duties and the Islamic institution of zaka. Although some might feel that zaka ought to be treated as a tax, this opinion evinces an improper understanding of what zaka truly is. Zaka is due only on Muslims, whereas all citizens pay taxes. Tax rates vary; zaka rate are uniform. The items subject to zaka are not necessarily the same as those subject to taxation. Furthermore, zaka is an act of religious devotion for the believer. After looking at the Qur'an and some Islamic history, one may reach three key understandings: first, that taxes as they are imposed by modern states cannot be considered analogous substitutes for zaka; second, that Islam does accord the government the right to collect taxes that are not mentioned in the Qur'an or the sunna ; and third, that the collection of estate duties is not repugnant to Islam.