The Prophet's Guidance in Dealing with Non-Muslims and Dhimmis

Ibn al-Qayyim in this chapter examines the Prophet's ﷺ detailed guidance on relations with non-Muslims — including polytheists, the People of the Book (Jews and Christians), Zoroastrians, and those who had entered into treaty relations with the Muslim state. This is a chapter that demonstrates the nuanced and principled framework Islam provides for coexistence, justice, and political relations with those outside the faith.

The Prophet ﷺ established treaties with various tribes and communities, including the famous Constitution of Madinah (Sahifat al-Madinah) agreed upon after his arrival there. This document recognized the Jewish tribes of Madinah as a community with defined rights and obligations, protected their religious autonomy, and established mutual defense obligations against external threats. It is among the earliest political constitutions in the world.

Regarding the People of the Book, the Prophet ﷺ permitted Muslims to eat the food slaughtered by them, to marry their women, and to trade with them. He maintained diplomatic, commercial, and personal relations with Jewish and Christian individuals and communities throughout his life. He borrowed grain from Jewish merchants in Madinah, and his armor was pledged as security at his death. He employed non-Muslims in certain roles where no Muslim was equally qualified.

The dhimmi system — the status of non-Muslim residents of the Islamic state — was defined by the Prophet's ﷺ own statements: 'Whoever harms a dhimmi has harmed me.' He commanded his governors to treat them justly and warned against taking their property or imposing undue burdens upon them. The jizyah (poll tax) was set at a rate that was generally lower than what Muslims paid in zakat and military service, in exchange for state protection and exemption from military service.

At the same time, the Prophet ﷺ maintained clear distinctions. He prohibited Muslims from initiating greetings of peace (salam) with non-Muslims, though he permitted Muslims to respond. He prohibited mixing Muslim and non-Muslim burial grounds and established specific conditions for the residence of non-Muslims in certain areas. He expelled the Jews from Madinah in stages after documented treachery and violations of treaties — not for their religion but for their political betrayal.

Ibn al-Qayyim draws a careful distinction between the categories of non-Muslims the Prophet ﷺ dealt with: those at war with the Muslims (harbi), those under treaty (mu'ahad), those under protection (dhimmi), and those who sought safe passage (musta'min). Each category had specific rules governing how Muslims were to deal with them, and the Prophet ﷺ was meticulous in observing these distinctions — never treating a protected non-Muslim as an enemy, and never treating an enemy combatant as a protected civilian.