Jizya: Difference between revisions
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'''Jizyah''' is the [[Arabic language]] translation of [[Poll tax]] or "head tax", a tax imposed on |
'''Jizyah''' is the [[Arabic language]] translation of [[Poll tax]] or "head tax", a [[per capita]] [[tax]] imposed on all free non muslim males living under Muslim rule. Its basis is found [[Sura]] 9.29 of the Koran. |
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==Definition== |
==Definition== |
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Jizyah was applied to every free male member of the [[People of the Book]], non-Muslim communities living in lands under Muslim rule. The collection of the tax was often the duty of the elders of those |
Jizyah was applied to every free male member of the [[People of the Book]], non-Muslim communities living in lands under Muslim rule. The collection of the tax was often the duty of the elders of those communities. |
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In return, those who pay such a tax are not required to serve in the military, and are considered under the protection of the Muslim state, with certain rights and responsibilities. Non-Muslims are not required to pay [[zakat]], or mandatory charity. |
In return, those who pay such a tax are not required to serve in the military, and are considered under the protection of the Muslim state, with certain rights and responsibilities. Non-Muslims are not required to pay [[zakat]], or mandatory charity. |
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==Criticism== |
==Criticism== |
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The concept of Jizyah has been |
The concept of Jizyah has been criticized by some non-Muslim writers, who characterize it as a form of humiliation and oppression of non-Muslim minorities with a direct basis in the [[Koran]]: |
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:[[Sura]] 9.29 Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold forbidden that which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. |
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[http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/009.qmt.html#009.029 USC Interlinear Koran] |
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Others counter that these criticisms ignore the historical context and that the poll tax was a common practice at the time in most societies. |
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==Resources== |
==Resources== |
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Many contemporary Muslim scholars can be cited, including [[Yusuf al-Qaradawi]]. Al-Qaradawi's book ''Non Muslims in Muslim Societies'', which discusses many issues, including jizyah, is available online in Arabic on his web site. |
Many contemporary Muslim scholars can be cited, including [[Yusuf al-Qaradawi]]. Al-Qaradawi's book ''Non Muslims in Muslim Societies'', which discusses many issues, including jizyah, is available online in Arabic on his web site. [[Bat Ye'or]] has written about the history and practice of jizyah in her book "Dhimmitude." |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*[[Dhimmi]] |
*[[Dhimmi]] |
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==External Links== |
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* [http://bismikaallahuma.org/History/jizya-islam.htm Jizya in Islam] by [[Dr. Monqiz As-Saqqar]] Ph.D in Christian Doctrines and Scriptures, Faculty of Usul al-Din, [[Umm al-Qura University]], [[Saudi Arabia]]. Hosted on [[[http://bismikaallahuma.org/]] (Muslim apologetics site) |
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[[Category:Islam]] |
[[Category:Islam]] |
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[[Category:Taxation]] |
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[[nl:Jizyah]] |
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[[sv:Jizya]] |
[[sv:Jizya]] |
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Revision as of 01:45, 1 May 2005
Jizyah is the Arabic language translation of Poll tax or "head tax", a per capita tax imposed on all free non muslim males living under Muslim rule. Its basis is found Sura 9.29 of the Koran.
Definition
Jizyah was applied to every free male member of the People of the Book, non-Muslim communities living in lands under Muslim rule. The collection of the tax was often the duty of the elders of those communities.
In return, those who pay such a tax are not required to serve in the military, and are considered under the protection of the Muslim state, with certain rights and responsibilities. Non-Muslims are not required to pay zakat, or mandatory charity.
History
The jizyah was levied in the time of Prophet Muhammad on vassal tribes under Muslim protection, including Jews in Khaybar, Christians in Najran and Zoroastrians in Bahrain.
Under Caliph Omar the Zoroastrian Persians were given People of the Book status, and jizyah was levied on them. Moreover, Christian Arab tribes in the north of the Arabian Peninsula refused to pay jizyah, but agreed to pay double the amount, and calling it Sadaqah (Charity).
In India, Aurangzeb, the last prominent Mughal Emperor, also levied jizyah on his mostly Hindu subjects in the 1600s.
Criticism
The concept of Jizyah has been criticized by some non-Muslim writers, who characterize it as a form of humiliation and oppression of non-Muslim minorities with a direct basis in the Koran:
- Sura 9.29 Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold forbidden that which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.
Others counter that these criticisms ignore the historical context and that the poll tax was a common practice at the time in most societies.
Resources
Many contemporary Muslim scholars can be cited, including Yusuf al-Qaradawi. Al-Qaradawi's book Non Muslims in Muslim Societies, which discusses many issues, including jizyah, is available online in Arabic on his web site. Bat Ye'or has written about the history and practice of jizyah in her book "Dhimmitude."
See also
External Links
- Jizya in Islam by Dr. Monqiz As-Saqqar Ph.D in Christian Doctrines and Scriptures, Faculty of Usul al-Din, Umm al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia. Hosted on [[[1]] (Muslim apologetics site)