Jizya: Difference between revisions
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'''Jizyah''' is the [[Arabic language]] translation of [[Poll tax]] or "head tax". |
'''Jizyah''' is the [[Arabic language]] translation of [[Poll tax]] or "head tax". ''Jizyah'' is a [[per capita]] [[tax]] imposed on males of other faiths under [[Muslim]] rule in exchange for the protection of the Muslim community. |
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==Definition== |
==Definition== |
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The imposition of ''jizyah'' upon non-[[Muslim]]s is established by Sura 9.29 of the [[Qur'an]]: |
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The underlying root meaning of the word jizyah is compensation. It is unclear if the mention of compensation in the Qur'an clearly refers to monetary compensation. The word was later applied to a special tax levied on those who did not accept Islam. There was no amount permanently fixed for it; females, children, the poor, the disabled, monks, and hermits were exempt from it. The Caliph [[Umar]] changed the name of jizyah to ''sadaqah'', to improve its connotation from "tribute" to "friendly charity". However, in the modern period, the name jizyah has been used for many years by [[orientalists]], and is well established in certain circles in the [[United States]], [[Europe]], and [[Australia]]. |
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| ⚫ | <blockquote>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.[http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/009.qmt.html#009.029 USC Interlinear Koran]</blockquote> |
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Some English [[translations]] of the [[Koran]] use the terms "tribute" or "compensation" in place of jizyah. Other translations use English formulations that reflect an understanding of jizyah as a monetary sum. One translation of Sura 9.29 that can be interpreted as establishing jizyah reads: |
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The underlying root meaning of the word ''jizyah'' is compensation. It is unclear if the mention of compensation in the Qur'an clearly refers to monetary compensation. According to Yusuf Ali, "The derived meaning, which became the technical meaning, was a poll-tax levied from those who did not accept Islam, but were willing to live under the protection of Islam, and were thus tacitly willing to submit to its ideals being enforced in the Muslim State." Some [[English language|English]] [[translation]]s of the Qur'an translate ''jizyah'' as "[[tribute]]" or "compensation". Other translations prefer to render [[Islam]]ic terms, such as ''jizyah'', as [[transliterate]]d [[Arabic language|Arabic]]. In practice the word was applied to a special tax levied on those who did not accept Islam. |
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| ⚫ | |||
[http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/009.qmt.html#009.029 USC Interlinear Koran] |
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Jizyah was applied to every free male member of the |
''Jizyah'' was applied to every free male member of the [[People of the Book]], and/or non-Muslim living in lands under Muslim rule. There was no amount permanently fixed for it; females, children, the poor, the disabled, monks, and hermits were exempt from it. Historically Muslim rulers also attempted to collect ''jizyah'' from [[Hindu]]s,[[Sikh]]s and [[Zoroastrians]] under their rule. The collection of the tax was often the duty of the elders of those communities. <!-- Hindus, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, and Jews don't have bishops or priests.--> |
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In return, those who paid jizyah were not required to serve in the military and were considered under the protection of the Muslim state, with certain rights and responsibilities. Non-Muslims were not required to pay [[zakat]], |
In return, those who paid the ''jizyah'' were not required to serve in the military and were considered under the protection of the Muslim state, with certain rights and responsibilities. Non-Muslims were not required to pay the ''[[zakat]]'', or mandatory charity required of Muslims. In addition, if a non-Muslim chose to serve in the army, he would be exempt from the ''jizyah''. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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Jizyah was levied in the time of |
''Jizyah'' was levied in the time of [[Muhammad]] on vassal tribes under [[Muslim]] protection, including [[Jews]] in [[Khaybar]], [[Christian]]s in [[Najran]] and [[Zoroastrians]] in [[Bahrain]]. The ''[[hadith]]'' of Bukhari, and Tarmethi record that [[Muhammad]] himself levied ''jizyah'' upon the Majoos, a tribe of Zoroastrians. |
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Under [[Caliph]] [[Umar]] the [[Zoroastrian]] Persians were |
Under [[Caliph]] [[Umar]] 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'', a word which improved its connotation from "tribute" to "charity". |
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In India, [[Aurangzeb]], the last prominent [[Mughal]] Emperor, levied jizyah on his mostly Hindu subjects in |
In [[India]], [[Aurangzeb]], the last prominent [[Mughal]] Emperor, levied ''jizyah'' on his mostly [[Hinduism|Hindu]] subjects in [[1679]]. The imposition of ''jizyah'', after it had not been collected by previous emperors for 117 years, created enormous opposition and sectarian strife which started the decline of the [[Mughal Empire]]. |
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==Criticism== |
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''Jizyah'' has been criticized as a demonstration of "constitutional inferiority and humiliation".[http://debate.org.uk/topics/history/xstnc-5.html] |
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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. |
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[[Bat Ye'or]] has written about the history and practice of jizyah in her book "Dhimmitude." [[Ibn Warraq]] has |
[[Bat Ye'or]] has written about the history and practice of ''jizyah'' in her book "Dhimmitude." [[Ibn Warraq]] has described ''jizyah'' as discriminatory and oppressive in his book ''Why I am not a Muslim''. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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==External Links== |
==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/ http://bismikaallahuma.org/] |
* [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/ http://bismikaallahuma.org/] |
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* [http://debate.org.uk/topics/history/xstnc-5.html The Jizyah Tax: Equality And Dignity Under Islamic Law?] |
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=== Online [[Fatwa]]'s from [http://www.islamonline.net/ http://www.islamonline.net/] === |
=== Online [[Fatwa]]'s from [http://www.islamonline.net/ http://www.islamonline.net/] === |
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*[http://www.islamonline.net/fatwa/english/FatwaDisplay.asp?hFatwaID=64354 Jizyah and non-Muslim Minorities] |
*[http://www.islamonline.net/fatwa/english/FatwaDisplay.asp?hFatwaID=64354 Jizyah and non-Muslim Minorities] |
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*[http://www.islamonline.net/askaboutislam/display.asp?hquestionID=9296 The Fair Logic of Jizyah] |
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*[http://www.islamonline.net/askaboutislam/display.asp?hquestionID=4429 Jizyah, Jihad… or Islam?!] "If the non-Muslim community - after rejecting Islam - refused to agree to the Jizyah, then the only option left is fighting." |
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[[Category:Islamic law]] |
[[Category:Islamic law]] |
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Revision as of 05:00, 8 May 2005
Jizyah is the Arabic language translation of Poll tax or "head tax". 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 Qur'an:
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
The underlying root meaning of the word jizyah is compensation. It is unclear if the mention of compensation in the Qur'an clearly refers to monetary compensation. According to Yusuf Ali, "The derived meaning, which became the technical meaning, was a poll-tax levied from those who did not accept Islam, but were willing to live under the protection of Islam, and were thus tacitly willing to submit to its ideals being enforced in the Muslim State." Some English translations of the Qur'an translate jizyah as "tribute" or "compensation". Other translations prefer to render Islamic terms, such as jizyah, as transliterated Arabic. In practice the word was applied to a special tax levied on those who did not accept Islam.
Jizyah was applied to every free male member of the People of the Book, and/or non-Muslim living in lands under Muslim rule. There was no amount permanently fixed for it; females, children, the poor, the disabled, monks, and hermits were exempt from it. Historically Muslim rulers also attempted to collect jizyah from Hindus,Sikhs and Zoroastrians under their rule. The collection of the tax was often the duty of the elders of those communities.
In return, those who paid the jizyah were not required to serve in the military and were considered under the protection of the Muslim state, with certain rights and responsibilities. Non-Muslims were not required to pay the zakat, or mandatory charity required of Muslims. In addition, if a non-Muslim chose to serve in the army, he would be exempt from the jizyah.
History
Jizyah was levied in the time of Muhammad on vassal tribes under Muslim protection, including Jews in Khaybar, Christians in Najran and Zoroastrians in Bahrain. The hadith of Bukhari, and Tarmethi record that Muhammad himself levied jizyah upon the Majoos, a tribe of Zoroastrians.
Under Caliph Umar 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, a word which improved its connotation from "tribute" to "charity".
In India, Aurangzeb, the last prominent Mughal Emperor, levied jizyah on his mostly Hindu subjects in 1679. The imposition of jizyah, after it had not been collected by previous emperors for 117 years, created enormous opposition and sectarian strife which started the decline of the Mughal Empire.
Criticism
Jizyah has been criticized as a demonstration of "constitutional inferiority and humiliation".[1]
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 described jizyah as discriminatory and oppressive 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/
- The Jizyah Tax: Equality And Dignity Under Islamic Law?
Online Fatwa's from http://www.islamonline.net/
Website of Yusuf al-Qaradawi
- Jizyah and non-Muslim Minorities
- The Fair Logic of Jizyah
- Jizyah, Jihad… or Islam?! "If the non-Muslim community - after rejecting Islam - refused to agree to the Jizyah, then the only option left is fighting."