Paying for public transportation in corrupt non-Muslim country

9-3-2017 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalaamu alaykum. Is travelling on a train without buying a ticket a sin or not? Consider that I live in India, a non-Muslim democratic secular country, and the rulers are very corrupt and cheat with the public's money provided by the government. I think it is not a crime to cheat such a country in which the Muslims are neglected, but my father opposes me. Please clarify this with the Quran and the Sunnah.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

It is not permissible to use public transportation without paying the fees if there are tickets for it. There is no difference in this between one country and another.

The Muslim should show the bright image of Islam wherever he is, and he should not consider people's money and their blood as lawful without a right, as in such case he would repel people from the religion of Allah and shun them away from it.

As regards the government's neglect of the Muslims, then this should be treated with possible means to remove and repel injustice and not by cheating and betrayal.

Allah knows best.