What are the Rights of Non-Muslims in Islam

The topic in question has the potential to capture the interest of Muslims and Non-Muslims alike. Even more so, in a day and age in which Muslims are mostly clueless on how to treat Non-Muslim minorities living in their lands. Ignorance is not without its grave consequences. A Muslim is bound to commit injustices if his knowledge and actions are not in harmony with the pristine teachings of the Quran and Sunnah. And the case of treatment to Non-Muslims is no different.

Islam has enshrined the twin inseparable qualities of mercy and justice into all its affairs. Anything from which these two qualities are removed is not Islam. Allah sent the last and final Messenger (PBUH): "And We have not sent you but as a mercy to all the worlds." (Quran 21:107) It was the Prophet’s (PBUH) dealings with Non-Muslim that won him their admiration and acceptance.

The real conquest in the early stages of Islam alongside the conquest of Mecca was that of human hearts. Muslim ignorance of Non-Muslim rights and their ill-treatment of minorities have deprived Non-Muslims of a real understanding of the beauty and truth of Islam. Hence, what are the rights of Non-Muslims in Islam?

For starters, in words of the Prophet (PBUH) of mercy himself:

"Beware!  Whoever is cruel and hard on a non-Muslim minority, curtails their rights, burdens them with more than they can bear, or takes anything from them against their free will; I (Prophet Muhammad) will complain against the person on the Day of Judgment." (Abu Dawud)

Non-Muslims have a right to their own beliefs

"There is no compulsion in religion…" (Quran 2:256)

The high moral ground on human rights taken by Islam almost 1500 years ago, shall remain unparalleled until the end of times. Reason being that its source was God and not imperfect human intellect.

When a constitution was drawn up in the first-ever Islamic state founded in Medina, one of its fundamental principles was to protect the places of worship of the Jews and Christians living in its vicinity. Thus, not only were they free to practice their faith but were also guaranteed protection for their places of worship as a mark of mutual respect.

The Quranic revelation took this large-heartedness even a step further. Allah the All-Wise revealed: "Do not revile those whom they call upon besides God, lest they revile God out of spite in their ignorance…” (Quran 6:108) This demonstrates the fair and liberal approach that Islam ratifies. One that can rival all the narrow-minded positions taken by nations across the globe in our times.


Above all, Islam is the only religion that renders it an article of faith to honor and respect all Prophets of God unconditionally. There is no question of any Muslim disparaging the Prophets of Judaism or Christianity, etc. On the contrary, the vivid details given in the Quran about each Prophet’s life help Muslims develop a strong bond with them. "If it had been your Lord’s will, they would all have believed – all of who are on earth!  Will you then compel humankind, against their will, to believe?" (Quran 10:99)

Non-Muslims have a right to being dealt with justly

"O, you who have believed, persistently stand firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives.  Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both.  So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just…” (Quran 4:135)

A notable incident that took place during Umar’s caliphate bears testimony to the principled stand taken by the early Muslims. Amr ibn al-As was a Sahabi (Companion) and the governor of Egypt. One of his sons beat up a Coptic Christian while boasting about being a nobleman’s son. The Copt took his complaint to Caliph Umar (R.A) after escaping imprisonment.

The righteous Caliph asked for the guilty party of father and son to be produced before him. When they appeared, he gave the Egyptian Copt a whip and asked him to beat the nobleman’s son with it. The son was beaten until justice had been served. Umar then turned to Amr and reprimanded him for enslaving people whom Allah had created free. The same equitable Umar Ibn al-Khattab, who upon being appointed Caliph, had proclaimed:

 ‘The weak will be made strong because I take for them what is their right.  And the strong will be made weak because I will take from them what is not rightfully theirs.’

Non-Muslims are guaranteed protection of their places of worship 

“And was it not that God checks the people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of God is much mentioned (praised)” (Quran 22:40)

Not only does Islam assure religious freedom to Non-Muslim minorities, but it also promises to protect their places of worship. It was once again the rightly-guided Caliphs Abu Bakr and Umar, who went on to set the example. Abu Bakr, the first Caliph, instructed Usama Ibn Zaid in the first example: 

‘I command you to do ten things: kill no woman, no child, nor an elderly person; do not cut down fruit trees, or vandalize homes, or wound a sheep or camel except if you must eat it; do not drown a palm tree, or burn it, do not be treacherous; do not be cowardly, and you will pass by people who have devoted themselves to monastery life; leave them alone to their devotions.’ (Tabari)

Umar’s treaty with the people of Ilya of Jerusalem is the second:

‘This is the security given by the slave of God, Umar, the Commander of the Faithful, to the people of Iliya. They are guaranteed the security if their persons, possessions, churches, crucifixes, and everyone within, whether sick or in good health, as well as everyone in their community.  Their churches will not be occupied or demolished, nor will anything be taken from them: neither furnishings nor crucifixes or money.’ (Tabari)

The vindictive characteristics rampant in the people of our times are in sharp contrast to the noble and lofty ideals upheld by these righteous Caliphs. How often does one get to hear of a church, temple, synagogue, or a mosque that has been razed to the ground?

To conclude

Non-Muslims living in Muslim lands are not required to be ruled by Islamic laws. They are also exempted from paying the Zakat or compulsory military service. They may freely observe their civil law in affairs like marriage, divorce, etc. The Prophet (PBUH) allowed people to be judged according to the tenets of their scripture.

This freedom of worship and judging by their laws served to ensure the peaceful coexistence of society. Islam came to uplift and inspire men and not to undermine or demoralize them. Tyranny and oppression are looked down upon by Islam. Meanwhile, upholding justice is a virtuous act that helps one draw closer to Allah’s pleasure.

"God does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes – from dealing kindly and justly with them. Indeed, God loves those who act justly…” (Quran 60:8)