The prohibition of a Muslim from being a tax collector or a police officer under unjust rulers: What is the meaning of the hadith and how is it applied in the present time?

The questioner : The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited a Muslim from being a tax collector or a police officer under unjust rulers. We ask our teacher (may Allah preserve him) to explain the hadith for us, clarifying its aspect and how it is applied in our present era.

The Shaykh : In fact, I understand this hadith to mean that these employees in these positions are assisting the unjust rulers in their injustice. If that is the case, for those who take up these jobs, the matter does not need explanation or clarification. Every Muslim should not be an employee for them, nor a worker for them. However, if the matter does not involve assisting in injustice or in any form of oppression, then this is not what is intended by the hadith, and it is permissible in that case. As for me personally, I do not believe that the matter is free from injustice or that one can escape it.