The word · Law & life

جِزْية

Jizyah

A tax historically paid by non Muslim men under Muslim rule, in place of military service.

Also written · Jizya · Jaziya · Gizya · Cizye · Jazia · Jizia · poll tax · head tax · protection tax · tax on non Muslims

The meaning

What Jizyah means in Islam

It is named once in the Qur'an. Classical law exempted women, children, the elderly, the poor, the disabled and monks, and the rate was scaled to ability to pay. 'Umar ibn al-Khattab is reported to have granted a pension from the treasury to an elderly Jewish beggar rather than take jizyah from him. Muslims meanwhile paid zakat and were liable for military service, so the comparison was never one tax against none.

Evidence · Qur’an · Stated directly in the Qur’an