The Dhimmi: Jews and Christians Under Islam

The Dhimmi: Jews and Christians Under Islam is a book by historian Bat Ye'or.

In the first part of the book the author provides historical survey of the effects and consequences of enforced dhimmitude on the Jewish and Christian communities living under the Muslim rule in the Middle East.

The second part presents 244 pages of historical documents and primary sources from various dhimmi communities from all parts of the Muslim world, including speeches of various influential Arabs, texts from various middle-age sources and eyewitness reports taken from British consuls throughout centuries from archives testifying to the conditions of the dhimmi communities. The book also contains rare pictures and photographs depicting the dhimmi and his community.[1]

Contents

Thesis

Historical precedence

The author claims the historical origins of dhimmitude to 622 CE when Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, began a conquest of pagan Arab populations and territories in the Arab deserts and peninsulas. The author contends that Muhammad took advantage of non-belligerency pacts to attack and subjugate populations. In 628, after a 45 day long siege of Khaybar, the inhabitants capitulated under terms of a treaty known as the dhimma. According to this pact Muhammad allowed the Jews living there to continue to cultivate the land on the condition that they pay tribute. This became the precedent to all future subjugations.

Muslim attitudes towards non-Muslims

In the book the author states that there were three territorial divisions of the world from the perspective of Islam:[2]

House of war: The land of the non-believers (harbis), called the lands of war (dar al-harb) where wars were usually fought.
House of truce: The land of non-believers currently under truce which is in respite between wars (dar al-hudna). There are only two circumstances that justify that a truce be engaged with infidels by the Islamic authority. The first circumstance is one is where the Muslim forces are too weak to win over the infidels and the truce will allow them to regroup and restrengthen, and the second one is whereby infidel states pay a tribute to the Muslims or contribute by numerous services to the advancement of Islam. Truce is not a natural condition; it is bought by tribute. If the infidels cannot provide the tribute in exchange for the truce, hostilities are resumed. Just as now, breaking a contract never goes well with either party.
Land of Islam: The land under control of Islam (dar al-Islam). These people are granted a status known as dhimmis and they are subjected to special provisions that permit them to privately practice their faith under restricted conditions, requiring them to pay a tax and were treated with respect by the early Rashidun caliphs (two who were Muhammad's companions, and were regarded as examplars of Islamic rule). The manner in which the rules of dhimmitude were applied varied according to the political circumstances and the disposition of the ruler. There were periods of tolerance which gave a small degree of security to the dhimmis. However, overall these were seen as peaceful times and the religious freedom allowed brought about a lot of byzantine controlled areas where religion was strictly forced into Islamic controlled territories.

Rules of the dhimmi

Rules would be formulated to allow the dhimmi due process of the law. Dress codes were indeed instated but only to differentiate between groups. Not for racial or discriminational purposes. They would be just as competitive in a street market as the Muslim selling products next to him. Dehumanization of the dhimmi was very uncommon, and generally the all were treated as friends and neighbors. Various forms of physical abuse were very uncommon and a lot less than in Europe during the middle ages. Dhimmis were prohibited from working in some positions in Islamic Jurisdipidence.

Penalties for breaking the rules

The non-observance of these rules would entail a punishment or fine, just as Muslim citizens would be if breaking the law. The pacts created were very lenient to the members. They could go on living their lives normally while being protected by the Muslim armies. And in exchange for the tributes, did not have to fight for the Muslims when war came about.

Conclusions of the author

Bat Ye'or contends in the book that the imposition of the Islamic laws on the dhimma (non-Muslim community) has been the reason for the decline of the Jewish and Christian communities in the Middle East from the mid-seventh century to the twentieth century.

Reviews

Author and scholar Daniel Pipes stated: [3]

In a profound study culminating three decades of scholarship, Bat Ye'or shows the debilitating consequences of the Muslim sense of superiority toward peoples of other religions. In the author's words, this is a "painful history of hatred, suffering, death, heroism, betrayal, and cowardice;" it is also a history that is very much alive even today and needs squarely to be confronted if Muslims are truly to live in harmony with non-Muslims. For this reason, Bat Ye'or's work is of major importance. --Daniel Pipes, Director, Middle East Forum (Philadelphia)

References

  1. ^ Steven B. Bowman (University of Cincinnati), published in CHOICE (Association of College and Research Libraries, USA ), September 1985, page 187
  2. ^ Bat Ye'or, The Dhimmi: Jews and Christians Under Islam
  3. ^ Web site maintained by Bat Ye'or

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