Jizya

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

The concept of Jizyah is legislated in the Bible

Rabbis explicitly said:Servitude and Tribute (i.e. Jizyah) both must be paid to them to maintain peace.

In the Arabic translations ofJoshua 16:10, Joshua 17:13, and Matthew 23, the word “Jizyah” (جزية) is explicitly used.

• Subjected at a lower level, scorned and humiliated
• Never appointed over a Jew
• Payment of up to half their wealth or entire properties taken by the King
• Must physically serve as well

There is a consensus amongst the scholars that the Jizyah is only to be taken from free adult men who have attained puberty — and they are the ones who fight — in exclusion to women, children, worshippers and lunatics who are mentally ill.”

The great Caliph and Companion of the Prophet ﷺ specifically instructed totake care of the Non-Muslims and not burden them beyond their capacity.

Another Companion rebuked the ruler for punishing the Copt who couldn’t afford to pay, and advised him tofear Allāh’s punishment.

• Jizyah → taken from Non-Muslims in exchange for protection
• Zakāt → given by Muslims; purifies wealth
• A Kāfir’s deeds will not benefit him in the Hereafter

“Humbled” (صٰغرون) simply means abiding by the laws of the Islamic Sharīʿah — as explained by Imām al-Shāfiʿī, al-Nawawī, al-Māwardī and others.

Muslim commandersreturned the Jizyah money to the Christian population because they could no longer guarantee protection with the Roman army advancing.

“If an old person becomes too weak to work, or is afflicted with an affliction, or he was rich and became poor to the point people of his faith give him money — his inheritance and that of his dependents will come out of the Bait al-Māl (Muslim treasury).”

“There is no Jizyah on an old man (close to death), or a woman, or a monk, or slaves.”

Result: Ahlul Dhimmah became loyal to the Muslims due to good conduct.

“They are from us.”

— Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ

Yet 2–5% Jizyah, taken only from capable adult men, in exchange for protection — is supposedly the problem.

“When you approach a village to fight against it, first offer it terms of peace. If it agrees to peace and opens its gates to you, then all the people in it shall be your subjects (dhimmis) and shall serve you.”