✦ Rights and Protection of Non-Muslim Minorities in Islam ✦
Authored by: Muḥammad Ibrāhīm Qāsmī
Islam presents a comprehensive and just framework for the protection of non-Muslim minorities, ensuring both religious freedom and civic rights. The Qur’an and Prophetic traditions provide clear guidance on showing kindness and fairness to non-Muslims who live peacefully within an Islamic society.
The Qur’an commands Muslims to deal justly with non-Muslims who do not fight against them or expel them from their homes:
﴿لَا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُمْ مِنْ دِيَارِكُمْ أَنْ تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ﴾
“Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes—from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them.”
(Surah al-Mumtahina: 8)
“Whoever kills a muʿāhad (non-Muslim under treaty) shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance is perceived from a distance of forty years.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Jihad, Vol. 1, p. 448)
“Fulfill the covenant with dhimmis (protected non-Muslims), ensure their safety, and do not burden them beyond their capacity.”
(Hazrat Umar ke Siyasi Nazariyat, p. 93)
“Do not sell their donkey, their cow, or their clothing for kharaj (tax).”
(Islamic Hukumat Mein Ghair Muslimon ke Huqooq, p. 20)
“Harming a dhimmi or backbiting him is as haram as doing so to a Muslim.”
(Islamic Hukumat Mein Ghair Muslimon ke Huqooq, p. 15)
“Their blood is like our blood.”
(Nasb al-Rayah, Vol. 2, p. 381)
﴿لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ﴾
“There is no compulsion in religion.”
(Surah al-Baqarah: 256)
“The wealth of those under covenant is not lawful except by right.”
(Abu Dawud, Kitab al-Atʿimah)
“It is unjust to collect jizyah from him in youth and leave him to beg in old age.”
(Islami Iqtisadi Nizam, p. 151)
(Bunyadi Huqooq, p. 311)
“Whoever oppresses a person under covenant or diminishes his rights, I will be his opponent on the Day of Judgment.”
(Islamic Hukumat Mein Ghair Muslimon ke Huqooq, p. 6)
Islam offers a balanced and dignified framework for non-Muslim minorities, rooted in justice, equality, and compassion. These rights reflect the true spirit of Islam and uphold human dignity for all, regardless of faith.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Authored by: Muḥammad Ibrāhīm Qāsmī
❖ Islam and the Rights of Non-Muslim Minorities
Islam presents a comprehensive and just framework for the protection of non-Muslim minorities, ensuring both religious freedom and civic rights. The Qur’an and Prophetic traditions provide clear guidance on showing kindness and fairness to non-Muslims who live peacefully within an Islamic society.
❖ Kindness and Fairness Toward Non-Muslims
The Qur’an commands Muslims to deal justly with non-Muslims who do not fight against them or expel them from their homes:
﴿لَا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُمْ مِنْ دِيَارِكُمْ أَنْ تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ﴾
“Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes—from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them.”
(Surah al-Mumtahina: 8)
❖ Rights of Non-Muslims in an Islamic State
✔ Protection of Life:
- The lives of Muslims and non-Muslims are equally safeguarded.
- The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever kills a muʿāhad (non-Muslim under treaty) shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance is perceived from a distance of forty years.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Jihad, Vol. 1, p. 448)
- ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (RA) instructed:
“Fulfill the covenant with dhimmis (protected non-Muslims), ensure their safety, and do not burden them beyond their capacity.”
(Hazrat Umar ke Siyasi Nazariyat, p. 93)
✔ Protection of Property:
- The wealth and properties of non-Muslims are fully protected.
- Unlawful seizure of their possessions is prohibited.
“Do not sell their donkey, their cow, or their clothing for kharaj (tax).”
(Islamic Hukumat Mein Ghair Muslimon ke Huqooq, p. 20)
- They have complete ownership rights, and inheritance laws apply to their families.
✔ Honor and Dignity:
- Non-Muslims are entitled to the same protection of honor and dignity as Muslims.
- Insult, slander, or abuse against them is strictly prohibited.
“Harming a dhimmi or backbiting him is as haram as doing so to a Muslim.”
(Islamic Hukumat Mein Ghair Muslimon ke Huqooq, p. 15)
✔ Equality in Legal and Judicial Matters:
- Judicial laws in an Islamic state apply equally to all citizens, regardless of religion.
- Crimes such as theft, adultery, false accusation, and murder receive equal legal treatment.
“Their blood is like our blood.”
(Nasb al-Rayah, Vol. 2, p. 381)
- The Prophet ﷺ commanded qisās (retaliation) when a Muslim unjustly killed a dhimmi.
(Islamic Hukumat Mein Ghair Muslimon ke Huqooq, p. 11)
✔ Religious Freedom:
- Non-Muslims are free to follow their beliefs, religious practices, and festivals.
﴿لَا إِكْرَاهَ فِي الدِّينِ﴾
“There is no compulsion in religion.”
(Surah al-Baqarah: 256)
- They may repair existing places of worship and worship freely.
- In Muslim-majority cities, open public religious processions or building new temples or churches is not permitted.
✔ Economic Rights:
- Non-Muslims are free to engage in trade, business, and industry.
- They may deal in alcohol and pork as per their religion.
“The wealth of those under covenant is not lawful except by right.”
(Abu Dawud, Kitab al-Atʿimah)
✔ Social Welfare:
- The Islamic state must provide financial assistance to needy non-Muslim citizens.
- ʿUmar (RA) once said upon seeing an elderly Jewish man:
“It is unjust to collect jizyah from him in youth and leave him to beg in old age.”
(Islami Iqtisadi Nizam, p. 151)
✔ Employment and Government Posts:
- Non-Muslims cannot hold key policy-making or ministerial roles in an Islamic government.
- However, they are allowed in all other jobs and public service positions.
(Bunyadi Huqooq, p. 311)
✔ Rights of Treaty-Based Non-Muslims (Muʿāhidīn):
- Those who live under treaty must be treated according to the terms of the agreement, without any injustice or betrayal.
“Whoever oppresses a person under covenant or diminishes his rights, I will be his opponent on the Day of Judgment.”
(Islamic Hukumat Mein Ghair Muslimon ke Huqooq, p. 6)
❖ Conclusion:
Islam offers a balanced and dignified framework for non-Muslim minorities, rooted in justice, equality, and compassion. These rights reflect the true spirit of Islam and uphold human dignity for all, regardless of faith.
وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
