Question
On thread referring to Jizyah, you said this is “divine” punishment for those whose creeds are monotheist but reject the truth as manifested by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). But pagans could expect nothing less than death.
Then another thread you said Islam’s position on desecrating other religion’s holy places or whatnot i.e. the Buddha statues in Afghanistan, was not to do such a thing, in that, then how could we expect respect for our holy places.
In light of both threads, does this apply to pagans or should I say polytheist? I mean do we kill them but do not touch their places of worship? Is not Hinduism polytheistic?
Salaam u Alaikum
Answer
The directive regarding the killing of the polytheists is not a permanent directive of the Shari`ah for all times to come, but is, in fact, the application of God’s law relating to the retribution of the rejecters even after the manifestation of the Truth to the ultimate level1. In other words, the directive regarding the killing of the polytheists is restricted to the polytheists among the direct addressees of the Messenger of God, as these were the people, who rejected the call of the Almighty, even after the Truth had become manifest upon them through the Messenger of God. This punishment of the polytheists of Arabia, was according to the same Divine law, which had earlier annihilated the people of Noah, the `Aad, the Thamud, the people of Lot and the armies of the Pharaoh, each of these peoples was guilty of rejecting the messenger of God, who was sent among them and were killed, under God’s law relating to the rejection of Truth, even after it becomes completely manifest, at the hands of His messengers2.
The foregoing explanation should suffice as answer to your questions.
Regards,
Moiz Amjad
October 2, 2001
- For details, please refer to ‘Determining the Addressees of the Qur’anic Verses‘ and a subsequent discussion on this question. [↩]
- For details, see: ‘The Political Revolution Brought about by the Prophet (pbuh)‘; Is There a Difference between Nabi (Prophets) & Rasu’l (Messengers)‘; ‘Jihad of the Messengers of & His Companions‘; ‘Punishment for Apostasy‘; Comparing Surah Al-Taubah 9: 5 and ‘There is no Compulsion in Religion’; ‘Some Clarification Regarding the Position & Mission of a Rasu’l‘; ‘Regarding Jizyah on non-Muslim Citizens of an Islamic State‘. [↩]