Non-Muslims' Right to Protection of Life

By Dr Zakir Naik

Islam condemns the killing of human beings and provides full protection to the non-Muslims under covenant(the Dhimmis).

Islam teaches that Allah (swt) is the sole Creator, Sustainer and Absolute Master of humanity, the Universe and all creation. He has given all humans honour and dignity. He has breathed into humankind of His own spirit. All humans are born equal and form one universal community.

Every person, irrespective of the country of his or her birth, and irrespective of his or her religious beliefs, has some basic human rights simply because he/she is a human being.


Human beings are a special creation of Allah (swt). Human life is given by Allah (swt) alone, and as such, belongs to Him. None has the right to take human life without any just cause. Human blood is sacred and should not be spilt without justification. Violating this rule is equivalent to killing of the entire humanity.


Allah (swt) says in the Glorious Qur’an:

“… Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption (done) in the land - it is as if he had slain humankind entirely: and whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.” 1


None has any right by himself to take human life in retaliation or as revenge or for prevention of corruption – this matter has to be decided only by a competent court of law. Thus, it is incumbent on every human being that under no circumstances should he be guilty of taking a human life. These instructions have been repeated in the Glorious Qur’an in another verse:


“And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden (to be killed) except by (legal) right.” 2


In all these verses, the word ‘soul’ (nafs) has been used in general terms, which does not apply to the citizens of any country, or people of a particular race or religion, but it rather applies to all human beings without any distinction.


The Prophet (pbuh) has declared homicide as the greatest sin only next to polytheism. The tradition says: “The greatest sins are to associate something with God and to kill a human being…”3


In an Islamic state, every individual, whether Muslim or Non-Muslim has a right to protection of life and it is the duty of that state to provide security to the people living within its boundaries. The lives of Non-Muslims are equally important as that of Muslims.


The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Whoever killed a Mu’ahid (a person who is granted the pledge of protection by the Muslims) shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise though its fragrance can be smelt at a distance of 40 years (of travelling).” 4


The fourth Rightly Guide Caliph, Ali (RA) had said: “They pay Jizyah so that the sanctity of their lives and properties may become like that of ours (i.e. the Muslims).” 5


The Dhimmis (i.e. Non-Muslims under covenant) are given the assurance of protection and support of the Islamic state that includes every aggression from outside and every oppression and tyranny within, so that they may live on a stable basis in perfect peace and tranquility; protection from outside is their right in the same way as that of the Muslims.


Imam Qarani Maliki in his book “Al Farooq” cites the saying of Imam Ibn-e-Hazam Zahiri from his book “Maratib-ul-Ijma”:


“If those at war with us catch hold of some dhimmi and bring him to our country, it will be binding on us to come out and give them (our enemies) a fight with our full might and for the protection of the life of that dhimmi, who has been offered protection by Allah and His Messenger. We should lay down our lives since without that much action, allowing them to do with the dhimmis what they like shall be regarded avoiding the proper discharge of our duty (towards the dhimmis).” 6


All of the above evidences prove that Islam condemns the killing of human beings and provides full protection to the non-Muslims under covenant (i.e. dhimmis); not only from within the Islamic state, but also from any type of attack from outside the state.


A striking example of this principle being put into action can be seen from the concern shown by Ibn Taymiyah (r) to the Jews and the Christians who were dhimmis:


When Syria came under the domination of Tartars, Shaykh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (r) went to their commander Qatlu Shah; for the release of the prisoners of war. Qatlu Shah agreed to the release of Muslim prisoners, but refused to release dhimmis. Shaykh-ul-Islam (r) said that they could not allow Jews and Christians to remain prisoners since they were under the protection and as such their responsibility. “We cannot leave behind any prisoner, Muslim or Non-Muslim”. Qatlu Shah in view of the stern attitude of Ibn Taymiyah (r), set free all of them.


References

1. Surah Al-Maidah 5:32

2. Surah Al-An’aam 6:151

3. Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol.9 Hadith No.6871

4. Sahih Al-Bukhari Vol.9 Hadith No.6914

5. Al-Mughni Vol.13 p.49 & 250

6. Al Farooq Vol.3 p.14-15 n


Source : islamic voice