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dhimmi
Sign in to saveAlso known as ahl al-d̲h̲imma, d̲h̲immī
''''''' ( ', , collectively / "the people of the covenant") or '''''' () is a historical term for non-Muslims living in an Islamic state with legal protection and certain restrictions. The word literally means "protected person", referring to the state's obligation under sharia to protect the individual's life, property, as well as freedom of religion, in exchange for loyalty to the state and payment of the jizya tax, in contrast to the zakat, or obligatory alms, paid by the Muslim subjects. Dhimmi were forbidden to bear arms and so did not perform military service and other privileges assigne
~41 min read
Article
25 sectionsContents
- History
- The "Dhimma contract"
- The Dhimma contract and Sharia law
- The end of the Dhimma contract
- Views of modern Islamic scholars on the status of non-Muslims in an Islamic society
- Dhimmi communities
- Christians
- Jews
- Hindus and Buddhists
- Restrictions
- Jizya tax
- Administration of law
- Relevant texts
- Quranic verses as a basis for Islamic policies toward dhimmis
- Hadith
- Constitution of Medina
- Khaybar agreement
- Pact of Umar
- Cultural interactions and cultural differences
- In modern times
- See also
- Notes
- References
- Further reading
- External links
''''''' ( ', , collectively / "the people of the covenant") or '''''' () is a historical term for non-Muslims living in an Islamic state with legal protection and certain restrictions. The word literally means "protected person", referring to the state's obligation under sharia to protect the individual's life, property, as well as freedom of religion, in exchange for loyalty to the state and payment of the jizya tax, in contrast to the zakat, or obligatory alms, paid by the Muslim subjects. Dhimmi were forbidden to bear arms and so did not perform military service and other privileges assigned specifically to Muslims. They were required to pay the poll tax (jizya) but had certain rights under the laws of property, contract, and obligation.
Dhimmis were subject to specific restrictions as well, which were codified in agreements like the Pact of Umar. These included prohibitions on building new places of worship, repairing existing ones in areas where Muslims lived, teaching children the Quran, and preventing relatives from converting to Islam. Depending on specific areas and periods, Dhimmis were also restricted in the professions they could engage in, limited in travelling outside of specific areas, owning property and were periodically exposed to forced conversions and massacres. They were also required to wear a yellow badge or other distinctive clothing, refrain from carrying weapons, and avoid riding on saddles.