What are the obligations owed to the People of Dhimma (Ahl al-Dhimma) after contracting the treaty (Aqd al-Dhimma)?

General Chapter

Al-Mughni

Book of Jizya

Book 55 · Issue 1 · Bab 1

Open in Qurani

Primary text

The Muslim authority is obligated to protect the People of Dhimma from Muslims, from people of war (Ahl al-Harb), and from other People of Dhimma. This obligation stems from the commitment made in the covenant to safeguard them. Supporting this principle, Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) stated that they paid the Jizyah so that their properties would be treated as Muslim properties and their blood as Muslim blood. Furthermore, Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), in his testament to his successor, enjoined: 'And I enjoin upon him to deal kindly with the People of Dhimma of the Muslims, to fulfill their covenant for them, and to guard those behind them.'