Is it permissible for us to steal from those who have intentionally and openly stolen from us, especially if they are in positions of authority, by discreetly employing deceptive tactics? This is similar to a worker who steals from his employer after agreeing on a certain wage, but then feels he deserves more, or like individuals who use deceptive accounting practices to pay less to a state that levies exorbitant taxes, while its rulers openly steal their money?

Many scholars have asserted the permissibility for an oppressed individual to employ stratagems to reclaim their right from an oppressor, to the extent of their due, if they are unable to obtain it through legitimate means. This is known as the issue of al-Zafar (gaining possession of one's right).

However, the examples provided do not fall under the issue of al-Zafar. Regarding the first example: It is not permissible for a worker to steal from their employer simply because they believe they deserve a higher wage than what was agreed upon. This is because the contract was established by mutual consent for a specific wage, and a low wage does not justify breaching the contract.

As for the second example: It is permissible to evade illegitimate taxes, even through stratagem, to repel injustice. This is not part of the issue of al-Zafar; rather, it is a stratagem to preserve one's wealth, which is permissible in Islamic law. However, if the taxes are legitimate, it is not permissible to evade them.