What is the status of the following Hadith:
“He who oppresses any dhimmi (non Muslim living in an Islamic state), or defames and degrades him, or demands from him anything more than he can bear or do, I will stand against that person and make a demand in favour of the dhimmi on the Day of Qiyamah.”
Answer
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said : “Beware, whoever oppresses a dhimmi/ mu’ahid (non Muslim living in an Islamic state) or degrades him or demands from him more than he can bear or takes something from him without his happiness then I will defend that dhimmi on the day of judgement.
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith: 3052)
‘Allamah ‘Iraqi (rahimahullah) has declared the above Hadith as good (jayyid).
(At Taqyid Wal Idah, vol. 1 pg. 772. Also see Al Maqasidul Hasanah, Hadith: 1044)
A dhimmi/mu’ahid is a non Muslim citizen living in an Islamic state. He pays a tax and in return is guaranteed safety.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best,
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar