Non-Muslim Subjects In The Islamic Community Essay Examples

Many civilizations have and still do treat the minorities in different ways. There are those religious organizations that are liberal and allow the minorities to thrive peacefully among themselves. Other religions oppress and persecute the minorities. Islam is one of the religions that are critically quoted as been the worst oppressors of the minorities since antiquity times.
Muslims since ancient times have and still do hold with contempt the minorities in the Muslim states. There are several indicators as recorded by Lewis Bernard pp. 227-235. The Pact of Umar on page 217 outline the rules the minorities, specifically Christians were to abide by while they lived among the Muslims. These include, not imitating in any way the Muslim lifestyle. It entails not wearing their garments or garments similar those of the Muslim. Further the minorities are not allowed to host spies to Muslims or Strike any Muslim. In case one wanted to file for taxes, a minority was under obligation to follow specific rules and procedures that would not be violated under any circumstances. The minorities were to give seats voluntarily when Muslims wished to sit on them, and to welcome Muslim travellers in their homes for three days unconditionally. They were required to carry no weapons at all. The penalties for violating such conditions were stiff and clearly allowing for lawful persecution of the offender. It is required of the minorities not to speak ill of Mohammed since such forfeits the protection (Dhimma) from God and would thus have violated the safe-conduct. Such would lead to one’s life and property being at the disposal of the Muslims. Such a penalty is awarded to all fornicators with Muslims. The jurist ruled in total and direct bias to the disadvantage of the minorities. They were politically restricted and hence would not be allowed to form organizations to protect themselves (Clinton Bennett. 2005).
The Muslims required all the minorities to pay taxes and not to restrict any of their members from joining Islam voluntarily. The rulers thus imposed taxes on the minorities. The taxes collected were divided among the Muslims only even when the society shares the resource. Bernard writes, “. . . leave those lands which God granted you and booty in the hands of their inhabitants and impose on them a poll tax to the extent they can bear, and divide the proceeds among the Muslims,” Pp. 223. The Muslims determined the dress code for the Christians so as to differentiate them from the Muslims. At the same time, the Christians were made slaves. The churches were destroyed by order of the Muslim leaders, pp. 224. The commander of the faithful worked only to glorify Islam and its people. The Dhimmis were to be oppressed, and persecuted under the laws of Islam. In some regions, the Dhimmis were not allowed to mingle with the Muslims and thus would be deported when noted. On page 230, Bernard notes that, a call was made on spotting a Dhimmi among the Muslims to humble them all and moderates their dressing in Egypt.
The treatment of the Dhimmis in Muslim civilizations in the ancient times is discriminatory, oppressive, and inhuman. The Muslims treated the Christians as lesser human being by making them their slaves. On top of that, the Muslims over-worked them and over-taxed them, and gave back nothing in return. The conditions under which the Dhimmis lived can describe as direct persecution. It is because ones property was at the mercies of the Muslim rulers who would without any due course confiscate it and condemn one to undue judgment. The call of the Muslims to remove them from among themselves so as to receive blessings from God discriminated them unnecessarily. Forbidding them to dress as they wished was also very cruel to them. It is against logic for Muslims to claim that one can change from minor religion and join them yet they do not allow any one of their own to cross over from their religion such a case is discriminatory. Such practices are rooted to the history of Islam. Therefore, the historical yardstick is the span of time from the emergence of Islam on the earth to today. As Bernard records, there is a long history of oppressing the minorities in Muslim civilizations.
Comparing the Muslims treatment of minorities to other civilizations as those that exited in India, the Muslims are extremely ruthless and harsh to the minorities. Although many civilizations condemned one to death for apostasy, and other related crimes, the Muslims extended their oppression to cover all realms of social life including dictating the economic patterns of the minorities within their territories. The Muslim laws enacted from the Quran are one among the stiffest if not the stiffest in any religion on earth today. There are scanty reports on persecution from any other religion. The bulk of oppression, persecution comes from the Muslims. As it is recorded in the “The venture of Islam” vol. 2, by Hodgson, 1961, the Hindu and Islamic civilization thrived in a more complementary manner. However, the Muslims became the rulers and regarded the Hindus as their lowest caste, pp. 555–556.
Although every religion has guiding principles defined by the faith, there exists a gap between practice and theory today. The penalties prescribed in the Quran are very stiff to be applied in an extensive populous nation especially with the modern human rights. Such a situation is also encouraged by the fact that human civilization has advanced and the level of tolerance among the faiths increased. Nevertheless, the Muslim laws are applied in Muslim state. For, example many cases of mistreatment have been recorded in Saudi Arabia especially of young girls who are tricked in the country as workers in various fields only to end up been house helps with little or no payment. They are further mistreated and often denied food, proper medication, and are sexually abused. According to Imam Mohamed Magid Humera Khan (2011) the current global trend advocates or complementary interfaith relations that embrace pluralism and tolerance. He calls Muslim majorities to reach out to the minorities and grant then equal opportunities. For example, after a Sudan court recently sentenced a woman to death due to apostasy has since stared global support against such sentencing. Global human rights bodies are solidly supporting the woman who is been charged for are consciousness (Faith Karimi and Mohammed Tawfeeq,May 22, 2014) . This international movement limits the application of the oppressive rule in most countries of the world and hence creates gaps in theory and practice.
In conclusion, the Muslims have been the major persecutors of minorities in their States and regions. It is one of the most documented issues dating back to the antiquity times. There are many instances as indicated that Muslims used to persecute Christina, Hindus, and other minorities. The persecutions are still practiced in current Muslim lead states. Many foreigners are held captives in Middle East and used as slaves in Muslim homes where they are mistreated and sexually abused. It is the only religion that has considerably oppressing minorities in their region up to today. As indicated earlier, cases of mistreatment and sexual harassment are reported in Middle East countries. The issue is difficult to crack due to the nature of the legislation in these countries. However, such mistreatment should not be allowed under whatever circumstances. The international human rights should pursue freedom for all people. Clinton Bennett. Muslims and Modernity: An Introduction to the Issues and Debates. Continuum International Publishing Group. p. 163, 2005.
Lewis, Bernard. Islam From the prophet Mohamad to the Capture of Constantinople.pp217-235
Imam Mohamed Magid Humera Khan. Muslim-Majority and Muslim-Minority Communities in Global context. Saban center. 2011.
Hodgson, The Venture of Islam Vol 2, 1961, pp. 555–556.
Faith Karimi and Mohammed Tawfeeq. Appeal filed for Sudanese woman sentenced to death for her Christianity. May 22, 2014. Retrieved from http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/22/world/africa/sudan-christian-woman-apostasy/ on May 25, 2014.