Understanding Islam

Explaining Islam in Light of the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ‎)

  • Home
  • Q & A
    • Cleansing and Purification
    • Customs and Symbols
    • Economic Issues
    • Halal and Haram
    • History
    • Islamic Beliefs
    • Jihad
    • Morality and Goodness
    • Muslim Sects
    • Overview of Islam
    • Other Religions
    • Penal Law
    • Personalities
    • Politics
    • Propagation
    • Social Issues
    • Sources of Islam
    • Worship and Fasting
  • Discussions
    • Cleansing and Purification
    • Customs and Symbols
    • Economic Issues
    • Halal and Haram
    • History
    • Social Issues
  • Quran
    • 68. Al-Qalam (القلم)
    • 72. Al-Jinn (الجن)
    • 75. Al-Qiyamah (القيامة)
  • Hadith
    • Cleansing and Purification
    • Customs and Symbols
    • Economic Issues
    • Halal and Haram
    • History
  • Articles
    • Cleansing and Purification
    • Customs and Symbols
    • Economic Issues
    • Halal and Haram
    • History
    • Islamic Beliefs
  • About Us
    • Brief History
    • The Team
    • Contributing Writers

Social Inequality in a Muslim State

February 9, 2005

Question

Assalam o Alaikum, The orientalists claim that an Islamic State promotes social inequality. The rights of muslims and non-muslims are different and unequal which promotes hatred for one another. I have read previous questions regarding this topic but did not get the clear picture. What is the status of a non-muslim in an Islamic state? Is it fair? What about other religions and civilzations? do they make such a distinction. What about jizya? Please give a detailed answer. I shall be waiting for your response.

wasalam

Answer

Under an Islamic state a non-Muslim has the same rights as the Muslim. Moreover, the non-Muslim is excused from certain aspects of Islamic Law as they would not apply to them. If the state is truly Islamically based then it would be most certainly be just and fair. Religions in general are to be respected and religious freedoms are to be given. As for the Jizya the issue relates to the sovereignty of the Bani Isma’il. This was a divinely-imposed tax limited to the rulership of the Bani Isma’il. Hence, the laws that were applied then cannot be applied by any Islamic state today as they would not enjoy divine support as the Prophet and Bani Isma’il had.

I hope I have clarified the issue.

God knows best.

Filed Under: Other Religions, Politics, Q & A

Archives

Copyright © 2017