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Originally posted by Pristine:
**Thanks, I appreciate it.
I guess what I am now trying to get at is the religious justification. It is a bit complex, and I don't expect many people to completely understand what I am saying...
**
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No problem. You see, if I was a full-fledged scholar, instead of some ignorant and clueless 21 year-old student, I would never have misunderstood your questions. Anyhow, I apologise for the delay in my response (again), since other matters in the past few weeks have been somewhat demanding of my attention. I hope that you will forgive me.
[quote]
Originally posted by Pristine:
**
I think what I am trying to say, is, lets suppose there are a bunch of muslims, in a position of power, and there is this land, where there are idol-worshippers. What is the responsibility of the muslims? Do they send out an invitation to the mushrikeen to embrace Islam or pay jizya or prepare for war? Is this how it works?
Also, when muslims are in a position of power, what lattitude is allowed to non-muslims vis a vis activities blantantly related to shirk, i.e. idols etc? Do we, muslims, have any responsibility to enforce the laws of Allah on people who are peacefully living under muslim rule living by their own mushrik ways?
I am just wondering what are the guidelines issued by Quran or Sunnah for the above conceptual questions?**
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An Islamic government should give the same importance to the welfare of all its citizens whether Muslim or non-Muslim. Non-Muslim citizens of a Muslim country are called Mu‘ahads that is, they become citizens of an Islamic State on account of a treaty with it. All dealings with them should be according to the terms of the peace treaty concluded with them. Muslims must abide by these terms in all circumstances and should never violate them in the slightest way. Such violations according to Islam are totally forbidden and, in fact, amount to a grave transgression. The Qur’an says:
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Keep [your] covenants; because indeed on the Day of Judgement you will be held accountable for them. (17:34)
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The Prophet (sws) is reported to have said:
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Beware! I myself shall invoke the justice of the Almighty on the Day of Judgement against the person who oppresses and persecutes a Mu‘ahad or reduces his rights, or burdens him [with responsibilities] he cannot bear, or takes something from him against his will." (Abu Da`wud: Kitabu’l Jihad)
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Following are some basic rights of non-Muslim citizens:
- Their life, wealth and honour should be protected by the state such that no one whosoever is able to lay hands on them.
- The needy and poor among them should be provided with the basic necessities of life.
- Their personal matters and religious rituals should be exempted from the law of the state and no interference should be made in their faith and religion.
- Their places of worship should not be tampered with.
- They should be allowed to present their religion to others in a non-seditious manner.
In short, they should be given all the rights which are sanctioned by the norms of justice and fairness for people in a civilised society, and in this regard all dealings should be done in a befitting manner - because Allah likes people who adopt this attitude.
A more full explanation to your queries, especially regarding jiziyah and the Taliban statues, will follow in due course – hopefully within a couple of days. I was fully aware that you had kindly requested an answer to your questions on more than one occasion, which is why I am replying now.