Jizya: Difference between revisions
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==Criticism== |
==Criticism== |
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The concept of Jizyah has been criticized by some critics of Islam, who characterize it as a form of humiliation and oppression of non-Muslim minorities. The concept of |
The concept of Jizyah has been criticized by some critics of Islam, who characterize it as a form of humiliation and oppression of non-Muslim minorities. The concept of taxation imposed on the basis of religion runs counter to the ideals of the [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]] (Articles 1,2, and 7) and many other [[International human rights instruments]]. Such taxation would be unconstitutional in almost all countries. |
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Jizyah, being a [[fixed]] per capita tax is a [[regressive tax]], meaing that Jizyah takes a larger percentage of income from people whose income is low. In comparison the [[zakat]] is a [[Flat_tax|proportional]] [[wealth (net worth) tax|asset tax]] with a minimum wealth exemption, the [[nisab]], to correct for issues of [[diminishing marginal utility]] of money. |
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These critics claim that the imposition of Jizyah was directly because of the Qu'ran: |
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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.Poll taxes were a common practice at the time in most societies, because they are easy to collect, and hard to [[Tax evasion|evade]]. It should be noted modern conceptions of [[human rights]], such as the [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]] exist at the time jizyah was levied. |
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Jizyah, being a [[fixed]] per capita tax is a [[regressive tax]], meaing that Jizyah takes a larger percentage of income from people whose income is low. In comparison the [[zakat]] is a [[proportional tax|proportional]] [[wealth (net worth) tax|asset tax]] with a minimum wealth exemption [[nisab]].<!-- This is from the definitions of [[zakat]] and Jizyah, [[regressive tax]], and [[proportional tax]]. Jizyah is a fixed *amount* per person, Zakat is a fixed percentage (2.5%) of your total assets less a minimum wealth exemption, (the [[nisab]]). Fixed per captia taxes are inherently regressive. The Zakat is proportional and included an exemption to correct for issues of [[marginal utility]] of money. I.e if you take 2.5 [[dirham]] from someone with 100 dirhams, it is more painful than if you take 25 dirhams from somone with 1000 dirhams.--> |
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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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Revision as of 08:03, 6 May 2005
Jizyah is the Arabic language translation of Poll tax or "head tax". The Jizyah is a per capita tax imposed on males of other faiths under Muslim rule in exchange for the protection of the Muslim community.
Definition
The imposition of Jizyah upon non-muslims is established by Sura 9.29 of 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.
- USC Interlinear Koran
Some English translations of the Koran, translate Jizyah as "tribute" to emphasize the humiliating and involuntary nature of the tax. Other translations prefer to render Islamic terms in transliterated arabic. Hadith and ample historical evidence document that Jizyah was collected as a yearly per capita tax paid in specie.
Jizyah was applied to every free male member of the People of the Book, and/or non-Muslim living in lands under Muslim rule. Historically muslim rulers have also attempted to collect Jizyah from Hindus,Sikhs and Zoroastrians under their rule as well. The collection of the tax was often the duty of the elders of those communities, mainly Bishops or Priests.
In return, those who pay Jizyah 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 required of muslims. In addition, if a non-Muslim chose to serve in the army, he would be exempt from jizyah.
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, levied Jizyah on his mostly Hindu subjects in the 1600s. The imposition of Jizyah after it had not been collected by previous emperor's for 117 years, created enormous opposition and sectarian strife which started the decline of the Mughal Empire.
Criticism
The concept of Jizyah has been criticized by some critics of Islam, who characterize it as a form of humiliation and oppression of non-Muslim minorities. The concept of taxation imposed on the basis of religion runs counter to the ideals of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Articles 1,2, and 7) and many other International human rights instruments. Such taxation would be unconstitutional in almost all countries.
Jizyah, being a fixed per capita tax is a regressive tax, meaing that Jizyah takes a larger percentage of income from people whose income is low. In comparison the zakat is a proportional asset tax with a minimum wealth exemption, the nisab, to correct for issues of diminishing marginal utility of money.
Others counter that these criticisms ignore the historical context.Poll taxes were a common practice at the time in most societies, because they are easy to collect, and hard to evade. It should be noted modern conceptions of human rights, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights exist at the time jizyah was levied.
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." Ibn Warraq has written about the discriminatory and oppresive aspects of Jizyah in his book Why I am not a Muslim.
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 http://bismikaallahuma.org/ (Muslim apologetics site)
- Jizyah and non-Muslim Minorities Online Fatwa from http://www.islamonline.net/ . Website of Yusuf al-Qaradawi