Historical Context and Wisdom Behind Jizyah in Islam

Implementation of Jizya in Ancient Civilizations

• Jizya of the Greeks: In the fifth century BC, the Greeks collected jizya from the inhabitants of the coastal regions of Asia Minor so that they could be protected from enemy attacks. For these coastal inhabitants, this tax was appropriate in exchange for the protection of their lives and property.
• Roman government: The Roman rulers imposed heavy jizya on conquered peoples, which at times was many times more than the Islamic jizya. For example, in France the Romans imposed an annual jizya of 9 to 15 guineas.

Jizya Before Islam

According to Professor Khaliq Ahmad Nizami, rulers in various regions used to collect revenues from their subjects in the manner of jizya:

• Iran: Nushirwan the Just formulated the laws of jizya.
• Rome and Arabia: This system was in practice in the territories under the control of Iran and Rome.
• India: The Gahadavala dynasty of Kannauj collected a tax called Tarshki Danda, while in the Rajput states one rupee per head was taken.
• Europe: In France there was the Hoste tax, in Germany the Common Penny, and in England taxes such as Sculage existed.

The Nature of Islamic Jizya

Jizya is not a new principle of Islam; rather, in it a modest tax was imposed on non-Muslims in exchange for granting them protection and safeguarding their lives and property.

• Freedom from military service: After paying jizya, non-Muslims were exempted from military service.
• Freedom in religious, social and family matters: Non-Muslims were free to follow their beliefs and religious rites.
• Complete protection of life, property and honour: The Islamic state guaranteed their protection.

The Status of the Dhimmi Subjects

• Definition of dhimmi: A non-Muslim who accepts loyalty to the Islamic state and abides by the state’s laws.
• Protection in the Islamic state: The dhimmi had limited civil rights, and their lives and property were protected.
• Comparison: The status of the dhimmi in an Islamic state is similar to that of “aliens” in British law, who have limited rights.

Conditions of Jizya on the Non-Muslim Subjects

• Jizya was imposed only on those non-Muslims who were capable of military service.
• Exempt persons: Women, children, the disabled, the elderly, religious servants, slaves and female slaves.
  Reference: (Kitab al-Kharaj, p. 36)

The Wisdom and Benefit of Jizya

• As a financial substitute: Jizya was a substitute for military service for non-Muslims, meaning they were not required to take part in war.
  Reference: (Allama Yusuf al-Qaradawi)
• If the Islamic government could not protect its non-Muslim subjects, the amount of jizya would be returned.
  Reference: (Badai al-Sanai, vol. 7)
• Modest amount: The amount of jizya was far less than the zakat and ushr imposed on Muslims.
  Reference: (Maqalat Shibli, vol. 1, p. 231)

Was jizya oppressive?

• Objection: Some critics say that jizya was a means of oppression against non-Muslims and compelled them to change their religion.
• Response: History offers no evidence that jizya led to conversion of religion on a large scale.
  Reference: (Aurangzeb: A New Perspective, pp. 40-41)

Consent of the Hindus:
In India, Muhammad bin Qasim and other Muslim rulers collected jizya from non-Muslims but gave them religious freedom:

• Non-Muslims accepted jizya willingly and regarded it as the price of their protection.
• Compared with Muslims, a lower tax was imposed on the non-Muslim subjects.

The System of Jizya and the Protection of Non-Muslim Subjects

• Examples from Islamic rule: Whenever an Islamic government failed to protect a region, the jizya collected was returned.
  

  In the time of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), the jizya of the non-Muslims of Homs was returned to them because the Islamic army could not protect them.

  Reference: (Badai al-Sanai, vol. 7)

• The attitude of other nations: Non-Muslim rulers never provided such facilities to their subjects; rather, they inflicted oppression and cruelty to destroy their enemies.

Conclusion

Jizya was a modest tax which guaranteed the lives, property and religious freedom of the non-Muslim subjects. In Islamic states non-Muslims were kept with honour and respect, and they were given complete freedom to live their lives.