How Islam Views Christians and Jews

#8738 George (george@cmic.ca) Thu Sep 24 8:39:55 1998

Omar II ibn Abdal Aziz (717-720CE), influenced by his interpretation of the verse in the Koran (9:29 "Fight...until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection") and the anti-Jewish laws of the Byzantine emperors. The exact format of the "original" is not known, but it is known that he ordered the governor of Khurassan "not to authorize" the building of new synagogues or churches, and to compel "them to wear special hats and mantles" and to prohibit them from using a saddle, and to prohibit them from employing a Moslem. These rules were expounded until they took their "final" form in the 14th century. The sources for these rules include the "kitab al-Umm" of Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafii (767-820CE) to Ibn Khaldun (1322-1406CE) and Qalqashaudi of 15th century Egypt.

A summary of these laws:

(a) erection of new non-Moslem places of worship is forbidden

(b) the Koran may not be taught to a "protected subject" (not even allowed to touch a Koran)

the "protected subject" may not:

(c) buy a slave or maidservant owned by a Moslem (this prevented Jews from doing what they often did in both Roman times and in pre-civil war times: "buy" slaves in order to free them)

(d) sell to a Moslem either alcoholic substances or animal carcasses which were not ritualy slaughtered

(e) "prevent" (i.e. talk to or rescue from forced conversion) anyone converting to Islam

(f) use Moslem name

(g) own or carry weapons

(h) ride on a horse or mule (and if riding on an ass, saddle was forbidden, and riding was only allowed side-saddle)

(i) have a structure (house or tomb) "higher" than a Moslem's

(j) raise their voices in prayer (even in a house of worship or during mourning or grief or even during burying their dead) or show any signs of their religion in public (e.g. cross) or of mourning in public

(k) work in government offices or any position of authority

(l) employ a Moslem in their service The "protected subject" was further required (aside from tax, otherwise known as "protection money"):

(m) stand in the presence of, and honour, a Moslem

(n) accommodate (give food and shelter, and whatever else, for free) for three days to each Muslim traveler

(o) wear distinguishing clothing (Jews yellow, Christians blue) and hair styles

(p) wear a sign around the neck when using the bathhouse

And, one especially interesting one:

(q) The property of the deceased (non-Moslem) was to belong to the authorities until the heirs prove their right to it according to Islamic law (note: a non-Moslem testimony would not be accepted in a court, so pretty well, this meant a Moslem had to testify that the Jew is the legal heir), otherwise, the property is transferred to the "authorities".

For a very interesting application, the "Almohads" of Spain and North Africa (12th century), gave the Jews a choice: convert or leave (die). Even those who *converted* were placed under restrictions of the Covenant of Omar, plus more. As example, a child who was orphaned was taken away from the relatives (if they were "converts" to Islam) and placed in the homes of "real" Moslems. These "extra" decrees were not abolished until Abdallah ibn Mansu (1199-1214CE). But it does not end there: ghettos (just like in Europe, forced on the Jew by the Moslem), pogroms (even though that is a Polish word, it didn't stop the Moslems from knowing how to do it) and blood libels.

More Things to Ponder

Randy "Ruby Ridge" Weaver in Sullivan County
Willie Martin and Christian Identity on Trial

Judaism

[ Homepage ] [ Deism ] [ Christianity in America ] [ Islam vs Deism ] [ Apostle Paul ]
[ Judaism vs Deism ] [ Article List ] [ Another Article List ]

Local Interest:

[ Introduction Page ] [ Living in Bristol VA/TN ]
[ Old Apartheid Page ] [ Sullivan County, TN ]
[ Local Schools, Immigration impact in Tennessee, Liberal Racism ]

Related to radical Islam:

[ Killing Children ] [ George Bush Defends Saudi Terrorism ] [ Islamic Fascism ]
[ Palestine Myth ] [ Arlene Peck on Arabs ] [ Muslim Immigration Must be Halted ]

Visitors since
March 2002