Ruling on declaring oneself a non-Muslim to avoid paying Zakat
Ruling on declaring oneself a non-Muslim to avoid paying Zakat
Question: A person advised a woman that if she declares herself a non-Muslim, she will not have to pay Zakat. Will this not affect her faith?
* Answer: Declaring oneself a non-Muslim is an act of Kufr (disbelief), and doing so to avoid paying Zakat is a double act of disbelief. Moreover, advising someone to commit an act of kufr is also an act of kufr. Therefore, the person who advised the woman to declare herself a non-Muslim must renew their faith and marriage contract. If the woman has acted upon this advice, she must also renew her faith from the beginning.
(Jami'-ul-Fatawa, Volume: 5, Page: 289).