Minority Rights in Islam: Legal Principles and Historical Practice
Keywords:
Islamic law, minority rights, Ahl al-Dhimma, pluralism, human rights, interfaith coexistence, Islamic legal history, jizya, contemporary Islamic thought, religious freedomAbstract
The treatment of minorities and their rights have emerged as principal indicators of justice in contemporary global societies, especially when religious identity is politically attached to the state. The article discusses the legal and ethical underpinnings of minority rights in Islam during the formative Islamic era and up to the modern era. Based on the Qur'an, Hadith, and medieval law, the analysis discusses how the institution of Ahl al-Dhimma—protected non-Muslim subjects of Islamic rule—created a formal yet dynamic regime of coexistence, security, and religious self-government. Based on historical evidence on Islamic empires, the article demonstrates how such principles were practiced with varying levels of tolerance and inclusivity. Although the classical system is not always neatly in line with contemporary conceptions of equal citizenship, it represents a sincere effort to achieve peaceful coexistence within multicultural societies. The essay also speaks to the conflict between pre-reformist Islamic categorizations and modern human rights on the one hand and their expectations on the other, particularly in light of reformist interpretations calling for justice, dignity, and equality for all citizens, irrespective of religion. In conclusion, this research seeks to illuminate a rich and frequently misinterpreted subject of Islamic law and to outline a constructive way forward—one that honors tradition while aligning with the ethical imperatives of contemporary pluralism.
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