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Rights of Muslims, Dhimmis(1),
and those under a Pledge of Protection
Shaykh Salih bin Humayyid [(Rabee'uth Thaanee 29, 1425 (June 18, 2004)]
All praise is due to Allaah, Lord of all the
worlds. Peace and blessings of Allaah be upon the Messenger, his household and
companions.
Fellow Muslims! Fear Allaah and be dutiful to Him. How can someone who is going
to leave this world
feel at home therein? How can someone who is going to enter Hell feel safe? How
can someone who death is very near not prepare himself with good deeds? The life
leads to death and man’s breaths and heart pulses are the way to his end. Fear
Allaah, dear brethren and hasten to do good deeds. Allaah says,
“O you who believe! Fear Allaah and keep your duty to
Him. And let every person look to what he has sent forth for the morrow, and
fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is All-Aware of what you do. And be not like those
who forgot Allaah (i.e. became disobedient to Allaah), and He caused them to
forget their own selves, (let them to forget to do righteous deeds). Those are
the Fâsiqûn (rebellious, disobedient to Allaah).”
(Al-Hashr 59:18-19)
Dear Muslims! Security is a great cause. It is the support of human life and the
foundation of modernity. All societies yearn for it and every government compete
to have it. It is a matter upon which all resources are spent and in which many
studies are undertaken.
The issue of security is greater than that of food. For no food, life, sleep or
rest is enjoyed in the absence of security. A wise man said, “The frightened man
enjoys no life.” In the Qur’aan, Allaah says,
“So let them worship (Allaah) the Lord of this House
(the Ka'bah in Makkah). (He) Who has fed them against hunger, and has made them
safe from fear.”
(Quraysh 106:3-4)
Security is connected to faith. Allaah says,
“It is those who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah and
worship none but Him Alone) and confuse not their belief with Zulm (wrong i.e.
by worshipping others besides Allaah), for them (only) there is security and
they are the guided.”
(Al-An‘aam 6:82)
The Messenger of Allaah said, “The Muslim is the one from the harm of whose hand
and tongue people feel safe.” Whoever enters into the fold of Islaam has entered
into the fold of security. Allaah’s Messenger said, “He who says: There is no
deity worthy of being worshipped except Allaah and he disbelieves in all that is
worshipped besides Allaah, his blood and property have become inviolable; and
his reckoning is with Allaah.”
Though security is achieved through firm eemaan, purity of conduct and having
correct understanding, there should also be a just Islaamic law and a strong
authority. Allaah says,
“Indeed We have sent Our Messengers with clear proofs,
and revealed with them the ure and the Balance (justice) that mankind may keep
up justice. And We brought forth iron wherein is mighty power (in matters of
war), as well as many benefits for mankind, that Allaah may test who it is that
will help Him (His religion), and His Messengers in the unseen. Verily, Allaah
is All-Strong, All-Mighty.”
(Al-Hadeed 57:25)
It is in the shade of security that lives, honours and properties are protected.
It is when there is security that roads are guarded, laws implemented, progress
in infrastructure and harvests are achieved. It in the shade of security that
call to the way of Allaah, construction of mosques and establishment of
congregational prayers are achieved. It is where there is security that good
deeds are widespread, evils are diminished societal and stability and safety are
achieved.
Where there is lack of security, there will be crises and instability. Crimes
and sins will be widespread, falsehood is mixed with truth and it becomes
difficult for people of truth to make any reform.
In the light of the above, every destructive act aimed at protected people is a
criminal act that contradicts the law of Allaah. This act becomes more criminal
if it is committed in a Muslim country that hoist high the Word of Allaah,
propagate the message of Islaam and implement the injunctions of Allaah. It even
becomes more criminal if it is committed in most sacred land.
The criminal acts committed in this country are massively mischievous, for they
entailed much evil and revolt against the leader of the Muslims. A deviant group
who killed many Muslims and non-Muslims who are under the protection of the
Muslim state committed these crimes. It is as if they have never read the word
of Allaah and the sayings of His Messenger. Allaah says,
“And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his
recompense is Hell to abide therein; and the Wrath and the Curse of Allaah are
upon him, and a great punishment is prepared for him.”
(An-Nisaa 4:93)
Allaah also says,
“Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel
that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread
mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone
saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. And indeed,
there came to them Our Messengers with clear proofs, evidences, and signs, even
then after that many of them continued to exceed the limits (e.g. by doing
oppression unjustly and exceeding beyond the limits set by Allaah by committing
the major sins) in the land!”
(Al-Maaidah 5:32)
In an authentic hadeeth, the Messenger of Allaah said, “The Muslim shall remain
safe in matters of his religion as long as he has not killed an inviolable
soul.”
Every Muslim knows that intentional killing of a life is one of the greatest
sins. It is in fact, a companion of associating partner with Allaah in worship.
Allaah says,
“And those who invoke not any other ilâh (god) along
with Allâh, nor kill such person as Allaah has forbidden, except for just
cause.”
(Al-Furqaan 25:68)
In another authentic hadeeth, the Prophet said, “The greatest sins are:
ascribing partners to Allaah and killing [an inviolable] life.”
Ibn ‘Umar said, “One of the most serious troubles from which there is no way out
for anyone who falls into them is shedding blood illegally.” (Al-Bukhaaree)
Allaah’s Messenger said, “Allaah might forgive all sins except if a man dies in
the state of polytheism or having killed a Muslim intentionally.” He also said,
“Whoever kills a Muslim and feels happy for that deed, Allaah will not accept
from him any obligatory or voluntary deed.”
At-Tirmidhee reported that the Prophet said, “If all the inhabitants of the
heavens and the earth were to collectively kill a Muslim, Allaah would cast all
them to Hell.”
Al-Bukhaaree reported, “Whoever kills a Muslim living under the protection of
the Muslim state shall never perceive the fragrance of Paradise. And its
fragrance is perceived from the journey of forty years.”
These misguided elements also destroyed properties of Muslims wrongfully. It is
as they have never heard the Prophet’s instruction, “Indeed, your lives,
properties and honours are inviolable for each of you just as the sacredness of
this day of yours, in this month of yours and in this city of yours.”
They also frightened protected people while the Prophet had warned against doing
so. He said, “It is unlawful for a Muslim to frighten a fellow Muslim.”
They took arms against the Muslims, and Allaah’s Messenger has forbidden even
pointing a weapon at a Muslim. He said, “None of you should point a weapon at
his brother. For Satan may cause him to strike with it and, as a result, fall
into a pit of fire.” Which threat is then more severe than this? May Allaah
protect us from misguidance and disgrace.
In another hadeeth, Allaah’s Messenger said, “Whoever points a piece of iron at
his brother, the Angels will curse him until he ceases even if he points it to
his brother from the same father and mother.”
Brethren in faith! If this is what Islaam says about pointing a weapon at a
Muslim, what will Islaam’s reaction be if the weapon is used to kill? The
Prophet said, “Whoever takes up arms against us is not of us.”
Fellow Muslims! In Islaam, the rights and lives of no-Muslims who are living
under the protection of Muslim state should be protected. This is in the light
of evidences from the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. Allaah says,
“Say (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) "Come, I will
recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with
Him; be good and dutiful to your parents; kill not your children because of
poverty - We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near to Al-Fawâhish
(shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse) whether committed openly or
secretly; and kill not anyone whom Allaah has forbidden, except for a just cause
(according to Islaamic law). This He has commanded you that you may understand.”
(Al-An‘aam 6:151)
Allaah also says,
“Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel
that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread
mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone
saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind.”
(Al-Maaidah 5:32)
The non-Muslim who is living under the protection of an Islaamic state should
therefore not be bothered neither should their properties or families be touched
with any harm.
An-Nasaaee reported that ‘Alee said, “Whoever is under our protection, his blood
is as inviolable as ours.”
The non-Muslims who are living under the protection of the Muslim state must be
dealt with justly and righteously. Allaah says,
“Allaah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly
with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive
you out of your homes. Verily, Allaah loves those who deal with equity.”
(Al-Mumtahanah 60:8)
Even when arguing with non-Muslims, Allaah commands us that we should argue with
them in the best possible way. Allaah says,
“And argue not with the people of the ure (Jews and
Christians), unless it be in (a way) that is better (with good words and in good
manner, inviting them to Islaamic Monotheism with His Verses), except with such
of them as do wrong.”
(Al-‘Ankaboot 29:46)
Dear brethren! Listen to what Ibn Taymiyyah had to say while he was negotiating
the release of some captives. He said, “We cannot but accept less than the
release of all Jewish and Christian captives, for they are under our protection.
We cannot leave a single Muslim or a person who is living under the protection
of the Muslims in captivity.” Ibn Taymiyyah said this while he was in war with
the crusaders.
The above are some textual evidences and rules regarding non-Muslims who are
living under the protection of the Muslim state. Will these individuals who are
revolting against the constituted authority and renouncing the community of the
Muslims then fear Allaah? The Prophet said, “Whoever refuses to obey the
authority and renounces the community of the Muslims and dies in that state, his
death will be like that of the time of ignorance.”
Those whose inner vision has been blurred can only commit the crimes committed
by these misguided elements. They are crimes of those whose evil deeds are made
fair seeming to them. Allaah says,
“Say (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) "Shall We tell
you the greatest losers in respect of (their) deeds? Those whose efforts have
been wasted in this life while they thought that they were acquiring good by
their deeds!”
(Al-Kahf 18:103-104)
Allaah also says,
“Is he, then, to whom the evil of his deeds is made
fair-seeming, so that he considers it as good (equal to one who is rightly
guided)? Verily, Allaah sends astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. So
destroy not yourself (O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) in sorrow for them. Truly,
Allaah is the All-Knower of what they do!”
(Faatir 35:8)
Dear Muslims! Ours is a great responsibility and we are all in the same ship. If
anybody makes a hole in it, all will drown. Carelessness and negligence only
lead to uncontrolled anarchy. It is this sense of responsibility that should
lead all wise people into rejecting these erroneous acts and any justifications
for it. The impacts of these acts should also be exposed.
The Muslim should beware lest he utters or does anything that can cause crises
or make the perpetrators of this crime feel that their acts and errors are
justified. The Muslim must also have a certain belief that Allaah will protect
His religion, give victory to His Word and make the evil plans of the enemies
fruitless.
Fellow Muslims! The responsibility is undoubtedly great. We should therefore
place things in their proper position. Islaam is one thing and the crime is
another. Reform is the opposite of mischief, and bothering Muslims and violating
the sacred are not acts of sacrifice or Jihaad. Allaah says,
"And of mankind there is he whose speech may please you
(O Muhammad (peace be upon him)) in this worldly life, and he calls Allaah to
witness as to that which is in his heart, yet he is the most quarrelsome of the
opponents. And when he turns away (from you "O Muhammad (peace be upon him)"),
his effort in the land is to make mischief therein and to destroy the crops and
the cattle, and Allaah likes not mischief."
(Al-Baqarah 2:204-205)
Fellow Muslims! All praise is due to Allaah that this country holds fast unto
its religion under its leadership. We all worship Allaah by rightly obeying the
constituted authority. Allaah says,
“O you who believe! Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger
(Muhammad (peace be upon him)) and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority.”
(An-Nisaa 4:59)
Allaah’s Messenger said, “You should hear and obey.”
Fellow Muslims! These sinful attacks and irresponsible actions shall never
prevent our brothers, members of security forces from carrying on their duties
with all sincerity and perfection. This is because; they are sure that they are
upon the truth and guidance by the permission of Allaah. Through their
alertness, this country shall remain protected in its service for Islaam through
blessings from Allaah.
Men of security forces are undoubtedly a source of pride in protecting the land
of the two Sacred Mosques. They are by the grace of Allaah the guards of the
religion. They shall remain upon our heads and a source of peace and
tranquillity.
Dear Muslims! Facing these erroneous people is not the responsibility of
security men alone. It is rather the responsibility of all. A sense of threat to
the religion, our families and our lands and feeling of anarchy and disunity is
something that all of us should have. Let us all increase in alertness. Let our
actions regarding the problems faced by this Ummah be characterized with
understanding and wisdom.
Dear brethren! In spite of all this, let the citizens and residents of this
country be assured of the safety of lives and properties. Let the Muslims be
assured of the understanding and alertness of their leaders in situations that
need nothing less than force and resolution.
We are also addressing the perpetrators of this crime, those who are holding
deviant ideologies and those who sympathise with them to fear Allaah as regards
their brethren. Let them quickly turn to Allaah in repentance and ponder over
the injunctions of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah and the saying of the sincere
scholars. Let them go back to the right path and stand united with their
brethren against the enemies who lie in wait for them. They should not turn
themselves into an instrument of destruction for this Ummah.
History teaches that activities like these benefit no one but the enemies and
they bring no good whatsoever to Islaam and the Muslims.
Woe unto those who perpetrated criminal acts like these. Let all be conscious
and dutiful to Allaah. Allaah says,
“O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allaah and fear
Him, and speak (always) the truth. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds
and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allaah and His Messenger
(peace be upon him), he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. he will be
saved from the Hell-fire and will be admitted to Paradise).”
(Al-Ahzaab 33:70-71)
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(1) A dhimmi is a non-Muslim living under the
protection of a Muslim state.
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