Jizya—The Non-Muslim Tax?

Jizya tax is often said to be the oppressive and discriminatory tax imposed on Non-Muslims living is a Muslim state. Jizya is equated with protection money (that gangs take from people) too. However, it is far from truth. Though Jizya is a tax but its imposed fairly and doesn’t mean to discriminate. Jizya tax is imposed on Non-Muslims for the protection of them, their holy places of worship and property in case of war. Jizya is not obligatory on every Non-Muslim. Children, Women and Disable people are exempted from this tax. Jizya is to be collected from only adult Non-Muslims who are capable of fighting in war. However, If an enemy country attacks the Islamic country, the Islamic country has a duty to defend the Christians and Jews and the Christians and Jews are not even obliged to fight!

Muslims also have to pay a yearly tax called Zakat. Zakat is even binding on property, and jewellery. Zakat should also be paid in the form of food as well. The Jizya is not binding on the property of the Christians and Jews.

Many critics of Islam argue that Surah 9:29 says to fight with Non-Muslims until they pay Jizya thus it’s discriminatory. However, this applies to Muslims as well who don’t pay their Zakat. Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) fought against the Muslims who didn’t pay Zakat. So how does this discriminate against the Christians and Jews?

Today, we understand that its completely justified for the state to fight against the rebels. In America if someone does not pay their taxes they can go to jail. Does that make America unjust? The Jizya is a tax levied on non-Muslims in lieu of military service which is compulsory for Muslims but not for non-Muslims. The amount of Jizya is much less than the Zakat, which is levied on Muslims only. The non-Muslims paying Jizya were exempt from compulsory military service in a Muslim State but were entitled to full protection.