WHAT ARE MUSLIMS TO DO WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK

VERSE NO. 29

      In the preceding verses the argument was on how to deal with the idolaters, and with the polytheists in general. Here, reference is made to the people of the Book who believe not in God and the Day of Resurrection, and have made lawful what Allah and His Apostle have forbidden. The commandments decreed for them is some what between those issued for the Muslims and idolaters.

      So the people of the Scriptures can have a kind of symbiosis with Muslims, like a living together in intimate association, or close union, supposing they desist hostility, and also pay a kind of poll-tax, the technical term of which is , `JIZYA'. This tax is paid as an acknowledgement of their submission to the Islamic government.

      But, if they are not willing to live in the Muslim dominion as, a safe and harmless minority, and they want to make trouble and agitation then Muslims are ordered to fight against them until they submit and are utterly subdued, and willingly pay Jizya, humbly and as a token of submission.

      As a matter of fact, the compensation tax, `JIZYA' is the charge of a penalty to a lesser punishment by the pardoning power. Its amount is insignificant and the exemptions numerous, and it is taken from those who do not want to accept Islam; but are willing to live under the protection and security system of Islamic government.

      Without any argument, and inscribed agreement, they submit to Islam's ideals being enforced in the Muslim's State. They usually are entitled to all the human rights that a Muslim citizen may have.

      In the above verse (No. 29) the people of the Book are accused of having no faith in God, and the Last Day of judgement, and this is where we see such a faith, at least in the tip of their tongues.

      We may take it this way that, they have actually denied the reality of Monotheism by saying: `Ezra and Jesus were the sons of God, and also by taking their priests and monks for their Lord, as it is explained in the next verses.''

      Even their faith about Ressurection Day has been perverted, and they believe in some sort of mysterious and wholly spiritual resurrection which contradicts with what the Apostles of God have said.