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{{Islam}}
{{Islam}}
{{Arabicterm|أهل الكتاب|′ahl al-Kitāb|people of the book}}
{{Arabicterm|أهل الكتاب|′ahl al-Kitāb|people of the book}}
In [[Islam]], the '''''People of the Book''''' ({{lang-ar|أهل الكتاب}} {{transl|ar|DIN|′Ahl al-Kitāb}})<ref>[http://www.wikimir.com/message-of-quran-by-muhammad-asad-005 Qur'an 5:15.]</ref> are non-Muslim peoples who, according to the [[Qur'an]], received [[scripture]]s which were [[revelation|revealed]] to them by [[God]] before the time of [[Muhammad]], most notably [[Christians]] and [[Jews]].<ref>{{cite book | title = What Everyone Needs to Know about Islam | first = John L. | last = Esposito | publisher = Oxford University Press US | year = 2002 | isbn = 0195157133 | pages = 75-76}}</ref> The generally accepted interpretation is that the pre-Islamic revealed texts are the ''[[Tawrat]]'', ''[[Zabur]]'' and the ''[[Injil]]''. They are roughly equivalent to the [[Judaism|Jewish]] [[Torah]], the Book of [[Psalms]], and the [[Gospels|Four Christian Gospels]], respectively.
In Islam the term '''People of the Book''' ({{lang-ar|أهل الكتاب}} {{transl|ar|DIN|′Ahl al-Kitāb}}) is used to describe adherents to [[abrahamic religions]] who have received scriptures before Islam. The two biggest faiths that are considered ''people of the book'' are [[Judaism]] and [[Christianity]].


In Islam, the Muslim scripture, the ''[[Qur'an]]'', is taken to represent the completion of these scriptures, and to synthesize them as God's true, final, and eternal message to humanity. Because the People of the Book recognize the [[God]] of Abraham as the one and only god, as do Muslims, and they practice revealed faiths based on divine ordinances, tolerance and [[autonomy]] is accorded to them in societies governed by [[sharia]] (Islamic divine law).
In Islam, the Muslim scripture, the [[Qur'an]], is taken to represent the completion of these scriptures, and to synthesize them as God's true, final, and eternal message to humanity. Because the People of the Book recognize the [[God]] of Abraham as the one and only god, as do Muslims, and they practice revealed faiths based on divine ordinances, tolerance and [[autonomy]] is accorded to them in societies governed by [[sharia]] (Islamic divine law).


In [[Judaism]] the term "People of the Book" ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]: עם הספר, ''Am HaSefer'') subsequently became self-applied to refer specifically to the [[Jewish people]] and the [[Torah]]; also the Jewish people and the wider canon of written Jewish law (including the [[Mishnah]] and the [[Talmud]]). In the Jewish tradition's use of the term there is generally no connotation as to the nature of Judaism's relationship with other faiths.<ref>Hence for example such books as ''People of the Book: Thirty Scholars Reflect on Their Jewish Identity'' (Johns Hopkins University Press, 1997) and ''People of the Book: Canon, Meaning, and Authority'' (Harvard University Press, 1997).</ref>
In [[Judaism]] the term "People of the Book" ([[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]: ?? ????, ''Am HaSefer'') subsequently became self-applied to refer specifically to the [[Jewish people]] and the [[Torah]]; also the Jewish people and the wider canon of written Jewish law (including the [[Mishnah]] and the [[Talmud]]). In the Jewish tradition's use of the term there is generally no connotation as to the nature of Judaism's relationship with other faiths.<ref>Hence for example such books as ''People of the Book: Thirty Scholars Reflect on Their Jewish Identity'' (Johns Hopkins University Press, 1997) and ''People of the Book: Canon, Meaning, and Authority'' (Harvard University Press, 1997).</ref>


==Definition==
==Definition==
In islam, the People of the Book are abrahamic faiths which share the following qualities:
{{POV-section|date=December 2007}}
{{Original research|date=December 2007}}
In the classical understanding, the People of the Book are those whose faiths share the following qualities:


*They practice ''[[Tawhid]]'' ([[monotheism]]).
*They practice ''[[Tawhid]]'' ([[monotheism]]).
*They recognize [[Afterlife|life after death]], [[Last Judgment|judgment]], [[Heaven]], and the existence of [[angel]]s.
*They recognize [[Afterlife|life after death]], [[Last Judgment|judgment]], [[Heaven]], and the existence of [[angel]]s.
*They usually recognize [[Satan]] and [[Hell]], and they have many similar [[Eschatology|eschatological beliefs]].
*They usually recognize [[Satan]] and [[Hell]], and they have many similar [[Eschatology|eschatological beliefs]].
*They share some of the same prophets, such as [[Moses]].
*They believe in the same prophets, such as [[Moses]].
*They have similar beliefs regarding the [[Creation myth|creation]], specifically, in the lives of [[Adam and Eve]] in the [[Garden of Eden]].
*They have similar beliefs regarding the [[Creation myth|creation]], specifically, in the lives of [[Adam and Eve]] in the [[Garden of Eden]].


The term "People of the Book" is thus taken in classical [[orthodoxy|orthodox]] Islam to refer to followers of monotheistic [[Abrahamic religion]]s which are older than Islam. This includes all [[Christian]]s, all [[Jew]]s (including [[Karaite]]s and [[Samaritan]]s), and [[Sabians]].<ref name="hinduism2_127">{{cite book | title = Hinduism and Islam in India: Caste, Religion, and Society from Antiquity to Early Modern Times | first = S. V. | last = Desika Char |publisher=Markus Wiener Publishers | year = 1997 | isbn = 1558761519 | pg = 127}}</ref>
The term "People of the Book" in Islam refers to followers of monotheistic [[Abrahamic religion]]s which are older than Islam. This includes all [[Christian]]s, all [[Jew]]s (including [[Karaite]]s and [[Samaritan]]s), and [[Sabians]].<ref name="hinduism2_127">{{cite book | title = Hinduism and Islam in India: Caste, Religion, and Society from Antiquity to Early Modern Times | first = S. V. | last = Desika Char |publisher=Markus Wiener Publishers | year = 1997 | isbn = 1558761519 | pg = 127}}</ref>


In the holy Quran the "people of the book" are mentioned in numerous verses, one such verse is Qur'an 5:67-69 Surah Al-Ma'idah:
Many early Islamic scholars, such as [[Malik ibn Anas]], agreed that [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrians]] should also be included.{{Fact|date=April 2008}} Zoroastrianism is believed by scholars and historians to have been founded between 1000 BCE and 600 BCE making it older than Christianity and Islam. It shares similar eschatological views with Christianity and Islam, and recognizes life after death, Satan (as [[Angra Mainyu]]), Heaven, and Hell. There is no official Zoroastrian viewpoint regarding Adam and Eve or Moses. Most [[Shi'a]] Muslims accept Zoroastrians as People of the Book.


Say: "O People of the Book! ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Law the Gospel and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord." It is the revelation that cometh to thee from thy Lord that increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. But sorrow thou not over people without Faith.
Generally speaking, only pre-Islamic religions are considered to be the religions of the Book. This is because Muhammad is viewed in Islam as the [[seal of the prophets]], the final prophet that God will ever send to humanity for all time. This means that post-Islamic faiths are not considered religions of the Book in the classical sense, even if they are revealed, scriptural, monotheistic, and/or Abrahamic.
Those who believe in the Qur'an, those who follow the Jewish Scriptures, the Christians and the Sabians any who believe in Allah and the Last Day and work righteousness on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.

Scholars have opinions as to whether or not [[Hinduism]] constitutes as a religion of The People of the Book.<ref name="hinduism">{{cite book | title = Sufi Essays | publisher = State University of New York Press | year = 1973 | isbn = 0873952332 | pg = 139 | first = Seyyed Hossein | last = Nasr}}</ref> The [[Islamic conquest of India]] necessitated that this definition be revised, due to the majority of the inhabitants of India were followers of the [[Indian religions]]. Many of the Muslim clergy of India considered Hindus as people of the book,<ref name="hinduism"/> and from Muhhammad-bin-Kasim to Aurangzib, Muslim rules were willing to consider Hindus as people of the book.<ref name="hinduism2_127"/> Many Muslims did not treat Hindus as pagans or idol-worshippers.<ref name="hinduism"/>

[[Sikhism]] is not considered to be a religion of the book, as it rejects the concept of the Devil, angels and the concept of Adam and Eve. It also post-dates Muhammad.

[[Buddhism]] does not explicitly recognize a God, or the concept of prophethood. However, there is no official [[God in Buddhism|Buddhist view of God]], and Buddhism does not specifically oppose monotheism. Brahman is recognised as the supreme Deva. However, it is explicitly stated in sutra that deva, including supreme Brahman is insufficient (or irrelevant or inferior) to attainment of enlightenment, as they are still trapped in cycle of rebirth. Moreover, Buddhism does not recognize God in the sense of Creator.

The Bahá'í Faith is revealed, scriptural and [[Abrahamic religion|Abrahamic]], and Bahá'ís accept Muhammad as one of the previous Manifestations of God. However, because they have explicitly repudiated the eternal authority of the Qur'an and [[Sunnah]], they are condemned as ''[[Apostasy in Islam|murtadeen]]'' ([[Apostasy|apostates]]). They are sometimes also called ''[[zindiq|zandiqa]]'' ("[[Atheism|atheists]]"). Bahá'ís are considered to be subject to the fate of [[Divisions of the world in Islam|Dar al-Harb]], the doomed pagan world which is not beloved of God. Bahá'ís have been [[Persecution of Bahá'ís|badly persecuted]] by Muslim regimes up to the present day. The most significant persecution has occurred in [[Iran]], where Bahá'ís are the most populous religious minority. The exception is [[Turkey]], where a policy of [[separation of church and state|state secularism]] has resulted in almost no official persecution.


==In the Qur'an==
==In the Qur'an==
Line 55: Line 46:


One ayah in the Qur'an can even be interpreted to encourage a [[Neutrality (philosophy)|neutral]] position toward non-Muslims. This ayah says, ''"Those who follow the Jewish and the Sabi'een, Christians, Magians and Polytheists — Allah will judge them On the Day of Judgement:"'' (22:17). The acceptance of Zoroastrians as dhimmis is partly because of this ayah, as the [[Magians]] were [[Zurvanism|Zurvanist]] Zoroastrians, and this verse, specifically mentions them alongside other People of the Book, and lists them ahead of polytheists.
One ayah in the Qur'an can even be interpreted to encourage a [[Neutrality (philosophy)|neutral]] position toward non-Muslims. This ayah says, ''"Those who follow the Jewish and the Sabi'een, Christians, Magians and Polytheists — Allah will judge them On the Day of Judgement:"'' (22:17). The acceptance of Zoroastrians as dhimmis is partly because of this ayah, as the [[Magians]] were [[Zurvanism|Zurvanist]] Zoroastrians, and this verse, specifically mentions them alongside other People of the Book, and lists them ahead of polytheists.

==Opinions on other religions==
{{POV-section|date=December 2007}}
{{Original research|date=December 2007}}
Many early Islamic scholars, such as [[Malik ibn Anas]], agreed that [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrians]] should also be included.{{Fact|date=April 2008}} Zoroastrianism is believed by scholars and historians to have been founded between 1000 BCE and 600 BCE making it older than Christianity and Islam. It shares similar eschatological views with Christianity and Islam, and recognizes life after death, Satan (as [[Angra Mainyu]]), Heaven, and Hell. There is no official Zoroastrian viewpoint regarding Adam and Eve or Moses. Most [[Shi'a]] Muslims accept Zoroastrians as People of the Book.

Generally speaking, only pre-Islamic religions are considered to be the religions of the Book. This is because Muhammad is viewed in Islam as the [[seal of the prophets]], the final prophet that God will ever send to humanity for all time. This means that post-Islamic faiths are not considered religions of the Book in the classical sense, even if they are revealed, scriptural, monotheistic, and/or Abrahamic.

Scholars have opinions as to whether or not [[Hinduism]] constitutes as a religion of The People of the Book.<ref name="hinduism">{{cite book | title = Sufi Essays | publisher = State University of New York Press | year = 1973 | isbn = 0873952332 | pg = 139 | first = Seyyed Hossein | last = Nasr}}</ref> The [[Islamic conquest of India]] necessitated that this definition be revised, due to the majority of the inhabitants of India were followers of the [[Indian religions]]. Many of the Muslim clergy of India considered Hindus as people of the book,<ref name="hinduism"/> and from Muhhammad-bin-Kasim to Aurangzib, Muslim rules were willing to consider Hindus as people of the book.<ref name="hinduism2_127"/> Many Muslims did not treat Hindus as pagans or idol-worshippers.<ref name="hinduism"/>

[[Sikhism]] is not considered to be a religion of the book, as it rejects the concept of the Devil, angels and the concept of Adam and Eve. It also post-dates Muhammad.

[[Buddhism]] does not explicitly recognize a God, or the concept of prophethood. However, there is no official [[God in Buddhism|Buddhist view of God]], and Buddhism does not specifically oppose monotheism. Brahman is recognised as the supreme Deva. However, it is explicitly stated in sutra that deva, including supreme Brahman is insufficient (or irrelevant or inferior) to attainment of enlightenment, as they are still trapped in cycle of rebirth. Moreover, Buddhism does not recognize God in the sense of Creator.

The Bahá'í Faith is revealed, scriptural and [[Abrahamic religion|Abrahamic]], and Bahá'ís accept Muhammad as one of the previous Manifestations of God. However, because they have explicitly repudiated the eternal authority of the Qur'an and [[Sunnah]], they are condemned as ''[[Apostasy in Islam|murtadeen]]'' ([[Apostasy|apostates]]). They are sometimes also called ''[[zindiq|zandiqa]]'' ("[[Atheism|atheists]]"). Bahá'ís are considered to be subject to the fate of [[Divisions of the world in Islam|Dar al-Harb]], the doomed pagan world which is not beloved of God. Bahá'ís have been [[Persecution of Bahá'ís|badly persecuted]] by Muslim regimes up to the present day. The most significant persecution has occurred in [[Iran]], where Bahá'ís are the most populous religious minority. The exception is [[Turkey]], where a policy of [[separation of church and state|state secularism]] has resulted in almost no official persecution.


==Dhimmi==
==Dhimmi==
Line 87: Line 93:


==External links==
==External links==
*'''Discussions at IslamOnline.net''' (a project of [[Biblioislam.net|Al-Balagh Cultural Organization]], a promotional organization established in Qatar in 1998.)
*[http://www.harunyahya.com/32terrorism_people_soc09.html "People of the Book" and Muslims]. A positive view of attitudes concerning People of the Book
*[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1119503543362&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FFatwaE Does Islam Forbid Befriending Non-Muslims?] Brief exegesis of a controversial verse from Quran (5:51)
**[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1119503543362&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FFatwaE Does Islam Forbid Befriending Non-Muslims?] Discussion of Quran (5:51) 15 November 2006
*[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1119503544488&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FFatwaE Domains of Muslim-Christian Cooperation]
**[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1119503544488&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FFatwaE Domains of Muslim-Christian Cooperation] 24 June 2007
*[http://islamonline.net/english/Contemporary/2005/04/Article01.shtml Muslim and Non-Muslim Relations Reflections on Some Qur’anic Texts]
**[[Jamal Badawi]]: [http://islamonline.net/english/Contemporary/2005/04/Article01.shtml Muslim and Non-Muslim Relations: Reflections on Some Qur’anic Texts] 5 April 2005
*[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1123996016226&pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam/AskAboutIslamE/AskAboutIslamE Islamic Dealing with People of the Book]
**[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1123996016226&pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam/AskAboutIslamE/AskAboutIslamE Islamic Dealing with People of the Book] 22 November 2003
*[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1123996015922&pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam/AskAboutIslamE/AskAboutIslamE Inviting People of the Book]
**[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1123996015922&pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam/AskAboutIslamE/AskAboutIslamE Inviting People of the Book] 2 February 2003
*[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1119503544450&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FFatwaEAskTheScholar Scope of Amicable Dealings with Non-Muslims]
**[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1119503544450&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FFatwaEAskTheScholar Scope of Amicable Dealings with Non-Muslims] 17 September 2006
*[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503545240 Does the Term “Ahlul-Kitab” Still Apply Today?]
**[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503545240 Does the Term “Ahlul-Kitab” Still Apply Today?] 4 October 2004
*[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503544164 Should the Magians Be Treated as Ahl al-Kitab?]
**[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503544164 Should the Magians Be Treated as Ahl al-Kitab?] 3 June 2003
*[http://www.loc.gov/rr/amed/guide/hs-books.html The Books of the People of the Book: Judaic Collection of Library of Congress]
*[http://www.loc.gov/rr/amed/guide/hs-books.html The Books of the People of the Book] at the US Library of Congress, Hebraic Collections
*[http://www.freeman.org/m_online/may98/shaikh.htm Islam and the People of the Book]. A negative view of attitudes concerning People of the Book
*[[Anwar Shaikh]]: [http://www.freeman.org/m_online/may98/shaikh.htm Islam and the People of the Book] (undated) at Freeman Center for Strategic Studies, Houston, Tx, USA (a pro-Israel promotional organisation)


[[Category:Christian interfaith and secular relations]]
[[Category:Christian interfaith and secular relations]]

Revision as of 06:35, 26 November 2009

This article is about the theological concept in Islam. For the novel by Geraldine Brooks see People of the Book (novel).
People of the Book

In Islam the term People of the Book (Template:Lang-ar ′Ahl al-Kitāb) is used to describe adherents to abrahamic religions who have received scriptures before Islam. The two biggest faiths that are considered people of the book are Judaism and Christianity.

In Islam, the Muslim scripture, the Qur'an, is taken to represent the completion of these scriptures, and to synthesize them as God's true, final, and eternal message to humanity. Because the People of the Book recognize the God of Abraham as the one and only god, as do Muslims, and they practice revealed faiths based on divine ordinances, tolerance and autonomy is accorded to them in societies governed by sharia (Islamic divine law).

In Judaism the term "People of the Book" (Hebrew: ?? ????, Am HaSefer) subsequently became self-applied to refer specifically to the Jewish people and the Torah; also the Jewish people and the wider canon of written Jewish law (including the Mishnah and the Talmud). In the Jewish tradition's use of the term there is generally no connotation as to the nature of Judaism's relationship with other faiths.[1]

Definition

In islam, the People of the Book are abrahamic faiths which share the following qualities:

The term "People of the Book" in Islam refers to followers of monotheistic Abrahamic religions which are older than Islam. This includes all Christians, all Jews (including Karaites and Samaritans), and Sabians.[2]

In the holy Quran the "people of the book" are mentioned in numerous verses, one such verse is Qur'an 5:67-69 Surah Al-Ma'idah:

Say: "O People of the Book! ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Law the Gospel and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord." It is the revelation that cometh to thee from thy Lord that increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. But sorrow thou not over people without Faith. Those who believe in the Qur'an, those who follow the Jewish Scriptures, the Christians and the Sabians any who believe in Allah and the Last Day and work righteousness on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve.

In the Qur'an

There are many statements in the Qur'an that promote tolerance towards People of The Book. For example:

  • And do not dispute with the followers of the Book except by what is best, except those of them who act unjustly, and say: We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you, and our God and your God is One, and to Him do we submit. [Quran 29:46]

There are also many statements that promote an adversarial relationship. For example:

  • O you who believe! Do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends ; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a ruler/patron, then surely he is one of them; surely God does not guide the unjust people. [Quran 5:51]

In other places the Qur'an says:

  • Not all of them are alike; a party of the people of the Scripture stand for the right, they recite the Verses of God during the hours of the night, prostrating themselves in prayer. They believe in God and the Last Day; they enjoin Al-Ma'rûf and forbid Al-Munkar ; and they hasten in (all) good works; and they are among the righteous. And whatever good they do, nothing will be rejected of them; for God knows well those who are Al-Muttaqûn .(3:113-115)
  • And there are, certainly, among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), those who believe in God and in that which has been revealed to you, and in that which has been revealed to them, humbling themselves before God. They do not sell the Verses of God for a little price, for them is a reward with their Lord. Surely, God is Swift in account. '(3:199)'
  • Verily! Those who believe and those who are Jews and Christians, and Sabians, whoever believes in God and the Last Day and do righteous good deeds shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve . [Quran 2:62]
  • Say (O Muhammad ): "O people of the Scripture : Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but God, and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides God. [Quran 3:64]

Throughout Islamic history, Muslims have used these ayah (verses) to justify a variety of positions towards non-Muslims. In some places and times, Muslims showed a great deal of tolerance towards non-Muslims; in other places and times non-Muslims were treated as enemies and persecuted. Islamic law demands that Muslims treat Jews and Christians as dhimmis, protected citizens who have a number of rights.

One ayah in the Qur'an can even be interpreted to encourage a neutral position toward non-Muslims. This ayah says, "Those who follow the Jewish and the Sabi'een, Christians, Magians and Polytheists — Allah will judge them On the Day of Judgement:" (22:17). The acceptance of Zoroastrians as dhimmis is partly because of this ayah, as the Magians were Zurvanist Zoroastrians, and this verse, specifically mentions them alongside other People of the Book, and lists them ahead of polytheists.

Opinions on other religions

Many early Islamic scholars, such as Malik ibn Anas, agreed that Zoroastrians should also be included.[citation needed] Zoroastrianism is believed by scholars and historians to have been founded between 1000 BCE and 600 BCE making it older than Christianity and Islam. It shares similar eschatological views with Christianity and Islam, and recognizes life after death, Satan (as Angra Mainyu), Heaven, and Hell. There is no official Zoroastrian viewpoint regarding Adam and Eve or Moses. Most Shi'a Muslims accept Zoroastrians as People of the Book.

Generally speaking, only pre-Islamic religions are considered to be the religions of the Book. This is because Muhammad is viewed in Islam as the seal of the prophets, the final prophet that God will ever send to humanity for all time. This means that post-Islamic faiths are not considered religions of the Book in the classical sense, even if they are revealed, scriptural, monotheistic, and/or Abrahamic.

Scholars have opinions as to whether or not Hinduism constitutes as a religion of The People of the Book.[3] The Islamic conquest of India necessitated that this definition be revised, due to the majority of the inhabitants of India were followers of the Indian religions. Many of the Muslim clergy of India considered Hindus as people of the book,[3] and from Muhhammad-bin-Kasim to Aurangzib, Muslim rules were willing to consider Hindus as people of the book.[2] Many Muslims did not treat Hindus as pagans or idol-worshippers.[3]

Sikhism is not considered to be a religion of the book, as it rejects the concept of the Devil, angels and the concept of Adam and Eve. It also post-dates Muhammad.

Buddhism does not explicitly recognize a God, or the concept of prophethood. However, there is no official Buddhist view of God, and Buddhism does not specifically oppose monotheism. Brahman is recognised as the supreme Deva. However, it is explicitly stated in sutra that deva, including supreme Brahman is insufficient (or irrelevant or inferior) to attainment of enlightenment, as they are still trapped in cycle of rebirth. Moreover, Buddhism does not recognize God in the sense of Creator.

The Bahá'í Faith is revealed, scriptural and Abrahamic, and Bahá'ís accept Muhammad as one of the previous Manifestations of God. However, because they have explicitly repudiated the eternal authority of the Qur'an and Sunnah, they are condemned as murtadeen (apostates). They are sometimes also called zandiqa ("atheists"). Bahá'ís are considered to be subject to the fate of Dar al-Harb, the doomed pagan world which is not beloved of God. Bahá'ís have been badly persecuted by Muslim regimes up to the present day. The most significant persecution has occurred in Iran, where Bahá'ís are the most populous religious minority. The exception is Turkey, where a policy of state secularism has resulted in almost no official persecution.

Dhimmi

Historically, a dhimmi was a person who is either guilty or protected (As the Arabic word means both.) under Islamic law by a pact contracted between non-Muslims and authorities from their Muslim government: this status was originally only made available to non-Muslims who were People of the Book (i.e. Jews and Christians), but was later extended to include Sikhs, Zoroastrians, Mandeans, Hindus[4] and Buddhists.[5][6] People of the Book living in non-Islamic nations were not considered dhimmis.

Non-Muslim People of the Book living in an Islamic nation under Sharia law were given a number of rights, such as the right to freely practice their faith in private, in return for state protection and exemption from military service. The social structure of the Ottoman Empire would serve as an example of how non-Muslims were treated. They also had some responsibilities, such as the payment of a special tax called jizyah ("tribute"), but were exempted from Zakat which Muslims are required to pay.

Because of the substantial Hindu tradition of monism, and the prominent Hindu theological perspective that there is a single Entity (Brahma) which sustains the world, Hindus eventually have been included as dhimmis.[7]

The Yazidi, Druze and Azali faiths are small post-Islamic monotheistic faiths whose adherents mainly reside in Muslim-majority countries. Because they number very few and have seldom disturbed, countered or threatened Muslim authority, they are usually regarded as dhimmis.

The definition of "dhimmi" always excludes followers of the Bahá'í Faith.[citation needed] This is because the Bahá'í Faith, which grew out of Shi'a Islam, is a post-Islamic religion which does not accept the finality of Muhammad's revelation. Instead, Bahá'ís believe in the concept of progressive revelation, which states that God's will is progressively revealed through different teachers at different times, and that there will never be a final revelation.

The Ahmedis and Qadianis of Pakistan are also not regarded as dhimmis by the vast majority of Muslims. This is largely due to the fact that their prophet, Mirza Gulam Ahmed, came over 1,300 years after Muhammad, who is traditionally viewed as the "seal of the prophets" by Sunni, Shia, and Ibadi variants of Islam. They differ from other post-Islamic faiths in Muslim lands because Ahmedis and Qadianis first began as an Islamic reform movement, threatening the established orthodoxy present in South Asian Islam, and further was embraced by highly socially upward mobile westernizing Muslim intellectuals of the day. These factors, compounded with the presence of the colonial British authorities in India who had overthrown the Muslim Mughal Empire, led Muslims to view the presence of Ahmedis and Qadianis as a threat to "true" Islam. Pakistan to this day requires its citizens to swear an oath of allegiance to Islam, and declare Mirza Gulam Ahmed to be an apostate, should they elect to register as a Muslim for governmental services.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Hence for example such books as People of the Book: Thirty Scholars Reflect on Their Jewish Identity (Johns Hopkins University Press, 1997) and People of the Book: Canon, Meaning, and Authority (Harvard University Press, 1997).
  2. ^ a b Desika Char, S. V. (1997). Hinduism and Islam in India: Caste, Religion, and Society from Antiquity to Early Modern Times. Markus Wiener Publishers. ISBN 1558761519. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |pg= ignored (help)
  3. ^ a b c Nasr, Seyyed Hossein (1973). Sufi Essays. State University of New York Press. ISBN 0873952332. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |pg= ignored (help)
  4. ^ Bat Ye'or (1985), p. 45
  5. ^ The Chach Nama English translation by Mirza Kalichbeg Fredunbeg. Delhi Reprint, 1979.
  6. ^ Annemarie Schimmel (2004), p.107, "The conqueror Muhammad Ibn Al Qasem gave both Hindus and Buddhists the same status as the Christians, Jews and Sabaeans in the Middle east". They were all "dhimmi" ('protected people')"
  7. ^ Thapar, R. 1993. Interpreting Early India. Delhi: Oxford University Press. p. 77

Further reading

  • Yusuf al-Qaradawi has a book entitled "Non-Muslims in Muslim societies" detailing many issues including what a dhimmi is, jizyah, rights, responsibilities, and more.