Is a peace treaty (*Aqd adh-Dhimma*) with non-monotheists who were initially believed to be People of the Book, but later revealed to be idolaters, valid?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of Jizya
Primary text
The contract is void from its inception if idolaters were granted the status of People of the Book and this is later revealed. However, if there is doubt regarding their true status, the covenant is not abrogated based on the doubt, as the default assumption is its validity. If some individuals within the group admit to their actual status while others do not, the covenant is invalidated only for those who confessed, while it remains valid for those who did not admit their status.