charge, it should be turned over to the Treasury. As for collecting the jizya in the Sawad-you should instruct your agents who are in charge of collecting the kharaj [a land tax on conquered lands] to send on their authority men whose piety and fidelity can be depended upon. These men should go to each village and order its headman to gather all its Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, Sabaeans, and Samaritans. When this this is done, they should collect the jizya from them according to the categories outlined above... Should the village headman say "I shall make an agreement with you on their behalf and will give you

icon
Related questions
Question

1. Summarize the primary source document by giving a few sentences saying what it is and where it came from, and then writing a paragraph or two that describes what is says. 

2. Analyze the source by stating your own informed opinion, about what the source means in its context and you should talk about each source in the context of the history we are studying—
that it, in its own time and place—rather than comparing it to modern events, people, or
institutions.

[161] cobblers, and those in similar occupations. When the tax has been collected by those in
charge, it should be turned over to the Treasury.
As for collecting the jizya in the Sawad-you should instruct your agents who are in charge of
collecting the kharaj [a land tax on conquered lands] to send on their authority men whose piety
and fidelity can be depended upon. These men should go to each village and order its headman to
gather all its Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, Sabaeans, and Samaritans. When this this is done,
they should collect the jizya from them according to the categories outlined above... Should the
village headman say, "I shall make an agreement with you on their behalf and will give you a
lump sum for them," the collectors are to ignore his request, because the loss of jizya revenues
from this would be considerable. Let us suppose the village chief made an agreement to pay five
hundred dirhams. There may be enough of the ahl-al-dhimma to pay one thousand dirhams or
more!
It is proper, O Commander of the Faithful-may Allah be your support that you treat leniently
those people who have a contract of protection from your Prophet and cousin, Muhammad-may
Allah bless him and grant him peace. You should look after them, so that they are not oppressed,
mistreated, or taxed beyond their means. None of their property may be confiscated, except as
required by law. It has been related that the Apostle of Allah-may Allah bless him and grant
him peace said: "Whoever oppresses a protégé or taxes him beyond his means, will have me as
that man's advocate."
Abū Yusef, Kitā al-Kharāj (Cairo, 1382/1962-63), pp. 122-25.
Transcribed Image Text:[161] cobblers, and those in similar occupations. When the tax has been collected by those in charge, it should be turned over to the Treasury. As for collecting the jizya in the Sawad-you should instruct your agents who are in charge of collecting the kharaj [a land tax on conquered lands] to send on their authority men whose piety and fidelity can be depended upon. These men should go to each village and order its headman to gather all its Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, Sabaeans, and Samaritans. When this this is done, they should collect the jizya from them according to the categories outlined above... Should the village headman say, "I shall make an agreement with you on their behalf and will give you a lump sum for them," the collectors are to ignore his request, because the loss of jizya revenues from this would be considerable. Let us suppose the village chief made an agreement to pay five hundred dirhams. There may be enough of the ahl-al-dhimma to pay one thousand dirhams or more! It is proper, O Commander of the Faithful-may Allah be your support that you treat leniently those people who have a contract of protection from your Prophet and cousin, Muhammad-may Allah bless him and grant him peace. You should look after them, so that they are not oppressed, mistreated, or taxed beyond their means. None of their property may be confiscated, except as required by law. It has been related that the Apostle of Allah-may Allah bless him and grant him peace said: "Whoever oppresses a protégé or taxes him beyond his means, will have me as that man's advocate." Abū Yusef, Kitā al-Kharāj (Cairo, 1382/1962-63), pp. 122-25.
Expert Solution
steps

Step by step

Solved in 3 steps

Blurred answer