The truth about Jizya

In an Islamic country, non-Muslims are not called upon to defend the country.  If there is any foreign attack or if the non-Muslims are harassed in the country then the Muslims are the protectors of their lives, wealth and properties and their rights.  In lieu of this, Jizya is taken from non-Muslims.  Women, children, handicapped people are exempt from Jizya.  As given in Ahkaam Ul Quran:

Translation: For this reason, our Hanafi jurists have clarified that Jizya is not compulsory (Wajib) on the person who can’t participate in a war.  The Jurists have said that there is no Jizya on those who are blind, handicapped in any way, paralyzed and on those who are too old.  (Al Ahkaam Ul Quran, Vol. 3, Pg. No. 125)

It is mentioned in Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaiba:

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Aslam, the slave of Hadhrat ‘Umar (May Allah be well pleased with them), that Hadhrat ‘Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) wrote to the governors: Don’t make Jizya compulsory for women and children.  Impose it only on those men who are adults.  (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaiba, Hadith No. 32640)

It is mentioned in “Kitab Ul Khiraaj” of Imam Abu Yusuf (May Allah shower His mercy on him) that Hadhrat ‘Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) passed by a house where a beggar was seeking alms.  He was very old and blind.  Hadhrat ‘Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) held him by the arm and asked:  What has brought you to this condition that I see you in?  He said:  Jizya is compulsory on me.  I am needy and have become old.  Hadhrat ‘Umar (May Allah be well pleased with him) led him by his hand to his own house and gave him something.  Then he sent a message to the treasurer of the public treasury to take care of this and such old people.  If we take Jizya from them in their youth and abandon them helpless in their old age, then by Allah, we haven’t been just.  (Then Hadhrat ‘Umar exempted this man and other such old (non-Muslim) men from Jizya)  (Kitab Ul Khiraaj)

Jizya is taken from non-Muslims in lieu of their lives, wealth and honor.  Thus, whenever Muslims felt that they couldn’t fulfill this responsibility, they returned the amount of Jizya to the non-Muslims.

In the Battle of Yarmouk, when the commander of the Islamic army, Hadhrat Abu ‘Ubaidah (May Allah be well pleased with him) had to leave the city of Homs for strategic reasons, he returned the whole amount of Jizya to the non-Muslims and said:  We had taken the responsibility of protecting you.  In lieu of that you had given us Jizya.  Now we are unable to fulfill this responsibility.  Thus, we are returning the amount to you.

This behavior of Muslims brought tears to the eyes of the residents of Homs.  They started praying:  May Allah bring you back safe and sound and give you domination over your enemies.  If it were the Romans, they would not have returned even a soiled dime.  (Futuh Ul Buldaan, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 162)