Aid for Destitute Dhimmis — Seal of the Prophets Vol. 2
Introduction
In this discourse from The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) details the historical events and scholarly insights surrounding Aid for Destitute Dhimmis.
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)
Section: XII – First Era of Life in Madinah Comes to an End and the Islamic System of Government
Pages: Book pp. 569–569 (PDF pp. 593–593)
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: [Justice and Equity] | Next: [Regard for Sentiments] »
Historical Account
In the Islāmic State, poor and helpless non-Muslim citizens were also provided financial support. On one occassion, when Ḥaḍrat ‘Umarra noticed an old Jewish man begging, he asked him, “What is the matter?” He responded, “I have become old and since my eyesight has fallen weak I cannot work; I also owe Jizyah.” Upon hearing this, Ḥaḍrat ‘Umarra became restless and immediately took the man to his home and gave him an appropriate amount of aid. Then, he summoned the Officer of Baitul-Māl and said, “What a grave injustice is it that Jizyah is being levied upon such people! We have been ordered to help the poor, not burden them with tax.” After this, a general order was instituted that such people would be exempt from Jizyah, and, deserving people of this nature would receive a regular stipend from Baitul-Māl. What to talk of Dhimmīs, there is even examples in Islām of aid being given to combatant enemies. As such, we have seen in the accounts of 5 A.H., that when a famine struck Makkah, the Holy Prophetsa sent some silver to the people of Makkah of his own accord in order to assist them, although the Quraish of Makkah were still at war with Islām at the time.
[Kitābul-Kharāj, By Qāḍī Abū Yūsuf Ya‘qūb bin Ibrāhīm, Faṣlun: Fī Man Tajibu ‘Alaihil-Jizyah, p. 136, Printed by Baulāq (1302 A.H.)]
Book Series: The Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets (Volume 2)
Section: XII – First Era of Life in Madinah Comes to an End and the Islamic System of Government | Navigation: « Previous: [Justice and Equity] | Next: [Regard for Sentiments] »