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.