Jizya was a tax paid by non-Muslim adult men under Muslim rule instead of military service and zakat, in exchange for protection and religious freedom. It was not a punishment for belief, and it was waived for the poor, women, children and clergy.
The fuller answer
Muslim citizens paid zakat and also served in the army. Non-Muslims were exempted from both and paid a modest tax instead, and in many periods it was less than what Muslims paid. When a state could not protect them, as when the Muslim army withdrew from Homs before the Byzantines, the jizya was returned.
The system has not been used in most places for centuries. Today, Muslim scholars generally hold that all citizens of a modern state are equal citizens with the same duties, and that jizya has no place when everyone is taxed alike and serves in the army. History does record cases of discrimination, and the rule of the Quran is to deal with people justly.
Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture - [fight] until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled.
Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes - from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.
This answer follows the mainstream Sunni understanding and is general learning, not a fatwa. Where Muslims differ, the answer says so. Have a question of your own? Write to us.
