General Treatment and Political Relations

Even in the matter of general treatment and political relations, Islām has established an example, which cannot be found in any other nation. The treaty of the Holy Prophet(sa) with the Jews of Khaibar has already been mentioned above. In order to divide their revenue, the Holy Prophet(sa) would sent a Companion named ‘Abdullāh bin Rawāḥah(ra). According to the instruction of the Holy Prophet(sa), whilst dividing produce, ‘Abdullāh bin Rawāḥah(ra) would act so leniently that after the produce had been divided into two, he would give the Jews the right to chose whichever portion they preferred between the two, and take whatever was left behind.1 In the era of Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar(ra) when Syria was conquered, by virtue of mutual agreement, the Muslims levied a tax, etc., upon the Christian population of Syria. However, a threat of war arose shortly thereafter from the Roman front. At this, Ḥaḍrat Abū ‘Ubaidah(ra), the Islāmic Amīr of Syria, returned all of the tax which had been collected from the Christian population back to them and said, “Due to war since we are unable to safeguard your rights, it is not permissible for us to keep this tax.” When the Christians witnesses this, they could do nothing but pray for the Muslims and said, “May God grant you victory over the Romans so that you may return to rule this land.” As such, when the Muslims gained victory again, the Christian population of the region celebrated jubilantly, and returned this tax to the Muslims.2 It was as a result of this very kind treatment that when Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar(ra), the second Khalīfah, went to Syria, the Christians who lived there came out to welcome him whilst singing and playing their instruments; they escorted him in the shadow of swords and showered him with flowers.3

Even in the matter of civil posts, the rights of non-Muslim citizens were protected. Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar(ra) appointed a Christian named Abū Zubaid as the revenue collector of a certain region.4

According to the teaching and practice of the Holy Prophet(sa), Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar(ra) would remain so concerned for the rights, ease, and comfort of the non-Muslim citizens in the Islāmic State that he would continue stressing upon his Governors to take special care of the Dhimmīs, and he would also directly inquire from them himself as to whether they were suffering from any hardship. On one occasion, when a delegation of Dhimmīs presented themselves before Ḥaḍrat ‘Umar(ra), the very first question he asked them was, “Are you being treated well by the Muslims?” They responded by saying:

“We have witnessed nothing but loyalty and good treatment from the Muslims.”5