Under Muslim Rule: Coexistence or Coercion? | Andrew March

What does Islamic law really say about the status of non-Muslims under Muslim rule? Watch Andrew March-specialist on Islam and political science at UMass Amherst-answer this question and more, as he explains the controversial Dhimma model and the evolution of universal citizenship in Muslim lands.
Subtitles/CC: 🇺🇸 Under Muslim Rule: Coexistence or Coercion? 🇪🇸Bajo el dominio musulmán: ¿coexistencia o coerción? 🇫🇷Sous la domination musulmane: coexistence ou coercition?
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Script
Andrew F. March
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
[I. Intro to Dhimmitude trope]
You may have heard the term “dhimmitude” as a catch-all explanation for any perceived Muslim supremacy and the expectation that non-Muslims must be submissive to Muslims.
The word dhimma is indeed based on an actual Islamic legal and historical practice. But what is the truth about it and what does it tell us about relations between Muslims and non-Muslims today?
[II. Broader context of ancient tribute systems]
Islam emerged in 7th century Arabia. At that time, there were no “states” with equal citizenship on an individual basis. Rather, political authority was organized strictly on the basis of kinship, or ties of blood. Outside of Arabia, Christian Byzantium did inherit the Roman concept of citizenship but regarded religious faith as paramount. The Byzantines gave legal citizenship to Jews, and granted them the freedom to practice their religion, but imposed certain restrictions. At various times, Jews paid a special tax known as the fiscus Iudaicus. Legal codes excluded Jews from certain government offices, the civil service, and military posts. The same was true later in Catholic Europe.
[III. Origins of Dhimma contract]
Muslim political tradition begins with the covenant established by the Prophet with the peoples of Medina, who included Jews as well as Muslims. This covenant extends the “security of God” over all non-Muslims who lived within Medina and recognized the prophet’s authority. The word for security is dhimma. Moreover, the covenant declared “to the Jews their religion and to the Muslims their religion,” establishing a precedent for communal religious freedom.
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[@rider4745]

Muslims rulers had responsibility to protect lives of non Muslims ...

[@alafifi101]

It seems that lots of people here in the comment section don’t understand the difference between religious laws and civil laws. Not everything you heard in the video was a a religious law. Some were civil laws only. For example like riding horses and carrying weapons. Those were civil laws.

[@yourbaenct8929]

I'm a Muslim and I feel like I studied Islam a loooooott more from this channel than from school. Thank you, Alhamdulillah

[@irshadayoob3720]

Also Zakat (annual charity of 2.5% of wealth) for eligible Muslims used to be higher than Jizya (Dhimmitude) tax. Jizya was collected from free, sane, adult men who are able to pay it. The monks living in their monasteries or those too poor to pay it were exempted.

[@mrcoolsame5201]

Persuasion methodology in the Quran-What convinced me to become a Muslim? “Say, [O Muhammad], "Have you considered that which you invoke besides Allah? Show me what they have created of the earth; or did they have partnership in [creation of] the heavens? Bring me a scripture [revealed] before this or a [remaining] trace of evidence, if you should be truthful." Quran 46:04 According to Verse 46:04 the way to persuade non-believers is to identify who has the burden of proof.

[@danielanderson2716]

(Quran 19:36)- [Jesus said], "And indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is the straight path."

[@Pal8Pale]

In most recent muslim majority states right now, as for example was: Aceh Darussalam Province of Republic Indonesia, they implement more casual approach of justice. as for muslim they get rule stated to have equal rights for all citizen. even if a muslim was commited a criminal act that in match arrange with syariah rule, they will be in applicable penalties stated. but for non-muslim, if they commited same act, they can choose to be punished according to a law of syariah or in law of indonesia. well, most of time, its in their choice. and i gladly said, today muslim was more woke than ever. they accept differences more than ever, but if they was also respected, like kindly. almost all muslim i know was a kind loving person, totally if they arrrange their lifestyle with islamic values.

[@robertklotz9319]

A very concise narration of the facts in just 7min. Emir Stein Center keep up your excellent work.

[@ntluck1592]

It's funny because in Egyptian Arabic we use the term "Dhimitak" when you are challenging someone to tell the truth. I never connected the words until now.

[@user-mm5py7wz4l]

😁😁😁😂

[@user-mm5py7wz4l]

دانتا حتة عسل

[@AslamShaik]

Religion belief will not change in Islam. Like other religions. Thanks for informative video.

[@danpoynton]

You said it, my man. Islam is fundamentally unable to change. Thank you.

[@evosunited1288]

May ALLAH REWARD THIS CHANNEL AND HIS SPEAKERS

[@abdurrahmanahmad4172]

So the message this time is : Islam can be changed .... no need to stay on Islam of Mohammad peace be upon him but can be on American Islam? Yes you can bring some information about someone who did not followe the rule of (Ahl Althemmah) after Mohammad peace be upon him of 1300 years but you can't say that this rule or any other rule can be changed! Why? Because of a small reason: Islamic rules came from Allah as complete unit and good for every time, every where and to everyone.

[@mazlinarazelan3805]

Muslim civilization in my homeland Malaysia practices coexistence among our people. There are many non Muslim of diversity religions.

[@fyfighter]

How come you say non-Muslims didn't allow them to ride horses while there is an extremely famous and very early accident when a Coptic man raced against the son of Amr Ibn Ala's the ruler of Egypt and the won race ! completing the story, the son of Amr became angry and hit the Coptic man, So the man Travelled complaining to The Caliph "Omar Ibn AL-Khattab" so Omar became angry and Called both "Amr" and his son Then asked the man to hit the son with his own cane, after he finished he asked him to hit "the bald head" of "Amr" the ruler of Egypt himself because the son did it due to the authority of his father! Omar said his everlasting word "When did you start enslaving people, when their mothers gave birth to them free?” !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@fyfighter]

Also you didn't mention that Zakat is a much higher sum of money (2.5% of total wealth paid yearly) than jizya which is few coins , you forgot to mention that Jizya dropped if you join the army and i guess if you are an army person they give you a sword, it's usable here right ?!

[@Humanbeing-qg7ws]

Thanks Emir stein ...Keep educating us...

[@emyrshah]

Very well explained. Even in Indo-Pakistan, "dhimma-dar" (zimmedar in Urdu, Punjabi, etc) means to carry the responsibility for others.

[@iamsohanurrahman369]

WHY DOES NOT EMIR-STEIN CENTER VIDEO ON REGULAR BASIS?

[@dontreplyaccountnotinuse3324]

Finding such people isn't an easy task brother. And the production also takes too much time and is very costly

[@roychowdhury4348]

Thank you for such a clear explanation.

[@danielmasters5484]

Thank you, sir!

[@princessserah3638]

I worship God. It is good to know the facts about Islam. Thank you for that. I judge no one. The Lord Jesus bless you. ☺❤

[@murtadha96]

Thank you!

[@alijon2625]

For detailed Islamic point of view on this topic, please read the book, Ahkam 'ahl al-Dhimmah أحكام أهل الذمة. By: Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah (691/1292 - 751/1350) ابن قيم الجوزية.

[@cessealbeach]

Emir-Stein Center , Love your channel,

[@sidratulmuntaha6351]

Also if any case in court arrived including people from different religions 3rd party neutral judge was appointed who used to draw out a conclusion using laws of both religions.

[@khalidahmadwachill4386]

AMAZING.EMIR STIEN IS JUST A GREAT CHANNEL MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

[@danybuyung7399]

"Jizyiah" tax is for non muslim. And we muslim also obligatory to pay a tax called " Zakat".

[@2manyusernamestaken548]

Great content. God bless!!

[@theambitious1271]

Thanks a lot dear sir

[@morrisfelix2116]

I hope emir-stein center will initiate a study on countries currently under muslim rule to place facts together with what was intended with this video. Also a comparison study on countries under non-muslim over muslims rule.

[@therealalgeria6129]

Islam was very advanced back then.

[@fahimullah8490]

I didn't agree with the last line he said. Islam is not prone to change, like other religions.

[@alavihossain5097]

Gotta thank emir stein centre for this informative video and spreading the truth

[@AswanTV]

Thank you

[@zaroonyakhyakhan4514]

i consider the Christine who are proud of their religion as my friends

[@arshm2657]

Upload a video in every week plz

[@haythamhoor7193]

Video with No references!!!! According to my information there is a misunderstanding and misleading information in this video so please give some references so we can search more

[@ttvsnake4081]

PRAGERU HAS LEFT THE CHAT

[@TShawn64]

Beautiful, thank you

[@mrmm7322]

I love This video and others a non Muslim s are doing a good job spending time and money to advertise for Islam way more then Muslim I see more. Video s and I found Islam is an. amazing religion and everything in Islam makes sense the Quran is a great book Ian looking for a religion now and studying Islam religion I am on my way to convert to Islam and still reading and getting to know the truth some video wants to make Islam a bad religion but that’s not what I see from Muslim and what the Quran say very soon I will take Islam as my new religion thanks 🙏

[@alexmicca8875]

Thanks

[@manzikertwarrior5677]

هداك الله الى صراطه المستقيم...

[@ericjensen9091]

Thank you for setting it straight, brother.

[@ummawahida]

I wish you translate the videos to Arabic

[@issaaczala5125]

Dhimmi , an Arabic word mean Responsibility....

[@evosunited1288]

Please explain about that Lunar and Star symbol because it is not the symbol of islam

[@ruuoxi]

could anybody kindly explain to me what's the meaning of concept contractual citizenship? does it have expiration or annulment clause if somehow the citizen involved break the contract?

[@kemalabe7907]

In reality, there is no absolute "Equality before the law" on earth..

[@MuhammadHassan-vx7eo]

That's why there's the hereafter. Justice and equality will be fulfilled then. Otherwise if there's no hereafter life is unfair and illogical.

[@Wolfboy_109]

@@MuhammadHassan-vx7eo amen to that brother

[@spacedrone7819]

Actually Islam is the exception. We cannot change Islam but laws can be changed but according to Islam

[@bizforall]

Dhimma is “responsibility”. That’s what I learned from day to day communication. It’s more like the Responsibility of the state to take cate of minorities in Madinah.

[@tremordrake1749]

good video but please turn down the background music; it's so irritating lol

[@Model3GenerativeANdroid]

What does the Emir-Stein Centre said about Palestine & Palestinians?

[@bxm211]

Jizya is a taxes to non Muslim , and Muslim give zakah and it's also a taxes but zakah is more than jizya , you should mentione that .

[@obaidshz]

I suggest to mention Omer Ibn Al Khattab, the 3ed Caliph treaty to Christians in Jerusalem. It's reflects the Islamic concepts.

[@DesertVox]

Under most governments today, the combined compounded taxes on ALL people, including the poor, amount to more than 50%, sometimes reaching 99% in the system of privatized prisons that house as many ppl as possible to be as profitable as possible.

[@nizal9388]

Secular liberalism is a new religion in its own right and so is atheism. Under secular liberalism in the West, promoting anything other than secular liberalism is forbidden (censored) on TV. In the public space, which includes TV commercials normalising LGBT is progressive while challenging this would be forbidden so even the new religion of liberal secularism has its own bias to institute its own laws and concepts in society - Islam has its own principles to uphold in the public space also, however, your personal nonmuslim worships are protected.

[@mohdmustaqeemaminuddin5396]

Can i repost this video in my ytube channel sir?

[@EmirSteinCenter]

Thank you for asking. Unfortunately, we don't allow this. If you like to help us in our mission to promote empathy and religious literacy, please share the link to this video with your viewers.

[@abumuhammad6923]

A non-Muslim can take from zakat.

[@evosunited1288]

no brother they can't if there is a muslim that needed a zakat

[@user-oi9hl9xt2h]

ارجو اضافة اللغة العربية للترجمة

[@ModJBH]

Can we have Arabic subtitles please?

[@berndwalther2820]

Please take care to tell everybody what was the reason and all the things Christians had to accept in the Pact of Umar!

[@lakbirsbaihi6201]

If you are non Arab or even Arab try to find the Word Damma what means under my wing or protection .fi Dammarie you belong in between all of us . May God open our minds and heat On Quran God said : it not they eyes are blind but the hearts inside God said the truth Amen

[@lakbirsbaihi6201]

Correction dammati means what I said before .

[@joneanonymous8085]

In a Islamic government zakat is incumbent upon Muslims which they will have to pay directly to the government In the same way non Muslims have to pay to the government almost the same amount depending upon their condition and in some cases no amount at all by the name of jizya (dimmitude) This is my research

[@richdelarby9387]

Show me where in the Quran, Dhimmitude is stated. ?

[@ayrramadan8819]

Jizya waspaid in lieu of military service. Great video

[@billferner6741]

The traditional dhimma system is replaced by something disgusted, in Saudi every foreign company has to employ and pay Muslim as board member.

[@mediatime1104]

Allah bless u all aneen

[@adlesal24]

not prohibited from riding horses or using swords because of honor, rather because these were the main army power at that time and they are already protected by muslim government

[@IllusiveDude]

Wow the Dollar is so powerful that people started using it even before the US came into existence

[@mous5996]

Maybe it's the D for Dinar 😂

[@occasionaltravell]

6;36 ... Change in beliefs ?? I dn think so

[@sagynsmooth]

Good work from France, a non muslim explains what islam is !He we had let the muslims dominate the ShoA did not exist ..Its just an example ;)

[@zouhairlaghrissi92]

u out of the boat dude

[@billferner6741]

HaHa, Islam is "changing over time". There is only one Koran, only one Hadith and they claim it never changed. What kind of "religion" you are talking about?

[@mkh5522]

If a blind person walks opposite the direction of his house and I know his house well, then it is fair , pure and wise to tell him the right direction, it is bad to leave him and worse to agree him on his mistake, and this is the problem of Sunni Muslims with the world.

[@truthinchristapologetics3542]

Gee you could pay 50% in Jizya or convert and pay 2% tithe. What a deal

[@kokori3271]

so *Andrew March* does *Dhimmi system* is a good or bad law to you compare to modern law of citizenship? is it outdated? those muslim with a sound mind and open minded what are you thought on this? 2:15 doesnt mean social & legal equality with muslim 2:33 non-muslim were not allowed to build new place of worship 2:50 non-muslim cannot carry weapon or riding horses in public 4:50 what are you trying to say here? dhimmi system in not relevant ? those muslim who doesnt believe in dhimmi system is a product of liberal belief?

[@zackye11]

This video makes me proud and offense me at the same time.. in 7 minutes..

[@coolcatschitah6394]

Allahu Akbar kabira💖💖🌹🌹

[@rustam3855]

😇🇳🇴❤️

[@mikeylejan8849]

Thank God that I live in a country which treats everyone equally and not given special treatment just because of religion.

[@littleGirl-cj2cm]

very bad video. many mistakes. every non muslim women ( including rich women) are excluded from paying jiziya. muslim have to pay zakat which was more higher than jizia.

[@mohammedali2098]

Jizyah is lesser than Zakat

[@knowledgeshortvideos]

Some information aren't correct regarding the building new or keeping worship places or the information of not owning a horse or a sword ... also in Madinah there was not only Muslims and jews but also none believers and Christians and among them people who believed in the new heavenly message ... dhima itself is a statement of unforsing others to serve and also muslim paid under title of Zakat where others paid under the title of security because the title of zakat doesn't include them .. kind of tax on all

[@TheRSlimo]

I would like to add a detail to this good video, the Jizya exonerate the people of different faith from serving in the army and to defend the Islamic land, so if a non Muslim want to serve in military instead of paying jizya, he can,and it is not imposed upon the poor who can't pay it

[@rainvast8982]

Naaah man islam doesn't change over time , that's what separate it from other religions, our understanding changes yes , but it stays same ,and in my opinion we should go back to the system of the prophet pbuh , it's the best and the right way . Because we are not doing what allah told us to do .

[@klaklu9356]

Can you describe your Allah.. Islam is nothing but a mash up of the Hebrew and Christian books from Mohamad view.

[@andreanto8685]

In many areas of my country, christians are unable to build churches, and religious gathering in houses are deemed "disturbing the peace" and unlawful unless it's islamic. The government had been pondering banning the sale of alcohol ignoring it's importance to Hindu islands like Bali that rely on tourism. Marriage between Muslims and non Muslims are forbidden by law and not too long ago a celebrity couple was charged with blashphemy law for using a loophole to marry. A recent high profile case was of a Buddhist housewife given a couple years jail time for blasphemy. She told her neighbor that "the adzan loudspeaker near her house was too loud and hurts her ears". Most of these laws didn't exist 20 years ago. indonesia had so far been drifting towards the laws you just talked about and a large part of the population supports them. The last statements you said seems to not apply to my country (indonesia). Just saying.

[@princessanineveh]

Riiight...like the .muslims who is also having diffiiculties building a mosque in a non muslims majority provinces, say like papua? But you didnt mentioned that huh...I wonder why..

[@stevecontato8959]

Yes, We OttoMaN saved Jews from Spain We saved all equality

[@mlgnolle9633]

Then why don't you just convert to islam if it is so good?

[@herraren9323]

He is just clearing misconceptions without being biased

[@princessanineveh]

Awwww...triggered much?

[@ranisindhani3728]

Its unfortunate that either you are baised or you lack access to complete information as the picture of dhimia you trying to paint is based on falsehood and lack of complete analysis.Gone are the days when you spread what you wanted based on propaganda ,Now you will have to face the counter questions.Muslims paid Zakat ( basic monetry tax) while non Muslims paid dhimi ( as basic tax) and what you expects from a Muslim state to exempt non muslim from any tax,you are wrong every one pays tax to state no matter where he lives.perhaps you dont even know that Desitutes,women,Childern ,visitors,ill,elders and the non.Muslims who joined army were exempted from dhimmi .

[@sunlight-sky151]

This channel is like PragerU, but with brains.

[@benavraham4397]

Ask Assyrians about Muslim tolerance here and now!

[@patrickcurry3924]

This video is mostly good (and some bad) That happens. It seems to me that the Emir-Stein Center seeks to build EMPATHY. This is good and a worthy goal. They are optimistic- as I am, that Islamic Civilization can climb the mountain of its Civilization and fully honor Human Rights (and acknowledge that the Age of Empire/Caliphate is OVER) Please, please do not pretend that this work has been accomplished in Islamic Civilization which is struggling mightily to incorporate human Rights principles into their societies. One need only read the OIC Cairo Declaration of Human Rights in Islam (1990) to immediately understand that Islamic Civilization is struggling to understand and implement basic and elemental human rights principles into their societies. That having been said, the video seeks to build empathy by showing (truthfully) that during Islamic Civilization’s Empire Period (Caliphate), it’s system of Dhimmitude practiced a MEASURE of tolerance by protecting the persons, the property and the honor of the People of the Book. (Nobody is saying that it was perfect, and Nobody is saying that this is a workable model today- because it isn’t.) Every measure of tolerance in this difficult (and often wicked) world is to be valued, understood and appreciated as a “climbing of their mountain.” Think of things in relative terms- as the video does well (which is to say truthfully). The West’s Medieval Period (often, uncharitably, called the Dark Ages) is contemporaneous with Islamic Civilization’s Empire Period or Caliphate Period (often, charitably, called its Golden Age) (650 CE - 1400 CE) The truth is that during these respective periods, Islamic Civilization was RELATIVELY more tolerant than the West. This point was driven home in the video by the fact that the West, from time to time, engaged in Inquisitions, Pogroms and Expulsions, while the Islamic Civilization did not. The best lesson for ALL of us to draw from these facts (and by practicing Empathy) is that every measure of TOLERANCE is to be valued. Tolerance is the key. (btw, Tolerance is the answer to the question, “What do we do with error?”) Tolerance is good, right, salutary and noble; and invariably, leads to a more just and a more peaceful world. It is tolerance that prospers us. Now for a hard truth. We live in the modern world , characterized by the End of Empire and the Age of Human Rights. And the truth is that, in the modern world, the West is far more tolerant than Islamic Civilization. The West, for all of its warring madness, tyrannies and injustices, has climbed the mountain of its Civilization (through the arduous process of Renaissance, Reformation and Enlightenment) and has adopted (in real terms) the values enshrined in the UN Declaration of Human Rights, while Islamic Civilization is still struggling with the basics of Human Rights, which, in fact, have been rejected, in significant part, by the execrable OIC Declaration of Human Rights in Islam. The true hope for Islamic Civilization in the modern world is for it (and all of us) to remember its early measure of tolerance - and build on that ! Tolerance will work. It is a part of your (Islamic) pattern of civilization. Make it grow, and enjoy the promise of peace and prosperity. Peace (Btw, the “bad” of the video is that near the end, the author engages in Socialistic, Collectivist, Postmodern nonsense about the “Equality of Outcomes” “Rigid Heirarchies” “Systemic Oppressions” all of which is a rejection of Classical Liberalism- is false and wont work) Drop the Wokeness. Not every inequality in a complex world of free people, in free markets, making free decisions is an INJUSTICE. Grow up.

[@benavraham4397]

North African, and especially Egypt, were Christian. Syria, Lebanon and Turkey were all Christian. Muslim armies conquered them, they were subjected to Dhimmitude for centuries, and the vast majority of Christians gave up their faith. Arabic replaced Aramaic and Turkish replaced Greek.

[@DBT1007]

Numerous times and in every era shows the humankind that NONMUSLIMS UNDER MUSLIM GOVERNMENT NEVER GET DISCRIMINATION OR SOME RESTRICTIONS. From the era of Muhammad until today. Look at Indonesia and Malaysia. Especially Indonesia here because they have 6 official religions and Islam is their major religion. And they have one Hindu island and that island also popular for tourism and you all probably know that island. That island is BALI ISLAND. But look at Muslims inside nations that have nonmuslim as the government and as the major population. Muslims experiencing discrimination almost everyday there.

[@engrmunim]

Christians expelled & killed Muslims after 800 year in Spain & Portagal. Same tactics by India & some other countries. Jizya was name of govt tax Equally Zakaat for Muslims. This was for their guaranteed security & peacefully living & business. Which is called Dhimma meaning Responsibility. But in Modern world, many countries still are not practicing like India.

[@jumambugah3946]

Paper money is outlawed in an Islam ruled land

[@jarule8065]

After paying the "Basic poll tax" called "Jizya"..... "Basic" yeah.... haha.... We should all thank Allah/God for Modern, Democracies...... Traditional Models were all very horrible....some less horrible then others but horrible non the less!

[@singwithsangar5387]

The speaker started off WRONG by saying Islam EMERGED 1400 years ago LOL. EVERY PROPHET had SUBMITTED THEMSELVES TO GOD'WILL and that word is MUSLIM (Submission to God's will) as Jesus says NOT AS I WILL, BUT AS THOU WILL....for I seek NOT MY WILL but the will of the FATHER(GOD) who sent me. ISLAM is the FULFILMENT of ALL THE Prophets since Beloved ADAM. The religion of God which is Islam, was COMPLETED with PROPHET MOHAMMED. ISLAM has EXISTED SINCE THE BIG BANG AND EVEN BEFORE THE BIG BANG. every ANGEL and most JINNI are submitted to GOD'S WILL. So, EVERY Prophet including beloved Jesus.

[@yaseral-hassani7508]

As Muslim there is some Mistake

[@ArabianLady.1997]

Iam against replacing the dhimma system by modern citizenship and against replacing any of the islamic rules ,,, words of God must be followed and not replaced !!

[@imlassuom]

Mixture of truth and false or deliberately spreading wrong understanding, what's the purpose of all this video!?