01-28-2007, 11:47 AM
In the Name of God - Father Son Holy Spirit.
May the peace of Christ be with you.
Quote:The Jizia issue is dealt with on other threads. Btw it falls under the same reason. Like when Nasara called for Muslim help due to the Catholic oppression they experienced, they knew that they will be offered this option of paying a tax in return for their protection in cases of foreign invasion. They were not requested to participate in war. Logical enough, in case a foreign invasion would take place, and the invador is a Nasarani state, I think an Egyptian Nasrani wouldnt like to raise a sowrd in their face. Thus, to enjoy the protection of the Muslim army while not participating in any war fare, in case any occurs, they pay a tax. Just like Muslims pay Zakaat (alms in our money) to benefit the low income categories and other areas that need funding in the state as a state, by the way low income categories of non muslims benefited on this same money...I stress system of ruling.
Thanks Muslimah!
What you said makes perfect sense, however, there's more to it than that.
You see, I don't mind if a Muslim state imposes jizia on me (does this include extra property tax?), but that's where I'd draw the line. <i>"Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (St Luke 20:25).</i> Certain Islamic countries take it a mile further by adding further restrictions on Dhimmis, e.g. forbidden to proclaim/practise/preach openly, displaying religious items in public, not granted permission to build Churches, dismissing their testimonies in court, forced to wear distinctive clothing, required to step off a sidewalk to allow a Muslim to pass, etc. Basically, Dhimmis are reduced to semi-servile status & are made to "feel subdued" (Sura 9:29). Which I guess at the end of the day is better than death, but when you really think about it, it's a lose/lose situation.
It appears that protection comes at a high cost!
Am I whinging too much? LOL!
You know what? I just love the fact that in Australia you walk through our cities on any given day & see various different religious communities celebrating their holy days/festivals... Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Aborigines, etc. The wonderful thing about it is that no one takes offence. Muslims in this country don't seem to mind at all. Thanks be to Allah!