The Ideal Treatment of Dhimmis in an Islamic Society

Compiled by: Dr. Muhammad Zia ur Rahman Azmi (Rahimahullah)

Definition of Dhimmi

A Dhimmi refers to a non-Muslim living under the protection of an Islamic state, who has agreed to abide by its laws and pays the Jizyah (a tax for non-Muslim citizens). Islam provides clear guidelines for treating Dhimmis with justice, fairness, and kindness.

Principles of Treating Dhimmis

  1. Fulfilling Their Rights and Obligations
    Muslims must ensure that the rights of Dhimmis are protected and their agreed-upon obligations are fulfilled. This principle is grounded in Quranic verses and Prophetic traditions emphasizing justice and kindness.
  2. Evidence from the Quran
    Allah commands fair treatment and kindness toward non-Muslims who do not act with hostility toward Muslims:

    "لَّا يَنْهَاكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَاتِلُوكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُم مِّن دِيَارِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُوا إِلَيْهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَ"
    "Allah does not forbid you from being righteous and just toward those who have not fought you because of religion and have not expelled you from your homes. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly." [Al-Mumtahanah: 8]
  3. Guidelines from the Sunnah
    The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

    "Whoever harms a Dhimmi, I will be his opponent on the Day of Judgment."
    [Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith 3052]
    This hadith highlights the seriousness of safeguarding the rights of Dhimmis and avoiding any form of injustice against them.

Practical Applications

  1. Kindness and Fairness
    Muslims are encouraged to speak kindly to Dhimmis and treat them with benevolence, except in matters explicitly prohibited by Shariah.
  2. Prohibitions and Limitations
    There are certain restrictions in interactions with Dhimmis to maintain the distinctiveness of Islamic identity:
    • Initiating Salam: Muslims should not initiate greetings with "Salam" to Dhimmis.
    • Marriage with Muslim Women: A Dhimmi man cannot marry a Muslim woman.
    • Inheritance: A Dhimmi cannot inherit from a Muslim, nor can a Muslim inherit from a Dhimmi.
      These restrictions are derived from authentic Islamic texts to preserve religious and social boundaries.
  3. Avoiding Transgression
    Muslims must refrain from any form of harm, oppression, or unjust treatment toward Dhimmis, as doing so violates the principles of justice and mercy enshrined in Islam.

Recommended Reading

For a detailed understanding of the rulings related to Dhimmis, scholars recommend the following works:
  • "Ahkam Ahl al-Dhimmah" by Imam Ibn al-Qayyim
  • Other scholarly discussions addressing Dhimmi rights in classical Islamic jurisprudence.

Conclusion

The treatment of Dhimmis in an Islamic society is characterized by justice, fairness, and kindness, as long as they uphold their agreement with the state. Muslims are obligated to ensure their rights are safeguarded while adhering to the limitations set by Shariah.
 
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