The Basic Necessities of Dhimmis—A Government Responsibility

The agreements concluded between the Muslims and the non-Muslim inhabitants of the conquered territories always contained the provision that the Muslim government would be responsible for the basic necessities of the Dhimmi citizens. This, for instance, is an extract from the agreement with the citizens of Hirah:

"The Dhimmi who is old or is disabled in some accident or is otherwise unable to work or one who is rich but falls destitute, he and his dependents, will not only be exempted from all taxes, but will also be paid subsistence allowance from the government treasury."1

Similarly it was laid down that if a Dhimmi fell into the hands of an enemy and his release depended on ransom, the money would be paid by the Muslim government.2

History bears out how this principle was followed by the Muslim governments. To quote only one instance:

Hazrat ‘Umar (ra) once came across an aged Dhimmi in rather a sad plight. On seeing the poor condition of the old Dhimmi, Hazrat ‘Umar (ra) exclaimed:

"By God! It is not just that in his youth we may benefit from his youth and leave him to suffer in his old age."

He ordered that the old Dhimmi be given a pension till his death. Moreover he directed the governors that the poor and deserving among the Dhimmis, in their provinces, be regularly paid stipends from the Baitul-Mal.3