Dhimmi

Summary

Dhimmī or muʿāhid (معاهد) is a historical term for non-Muslims living in an Islamic state with certain legal protections and restrictions. The word literally means "protected person", referring to the state's obligation under sharia to protect the individual's life, property, as well as freedom of religion, in exchange for loyalty to the state and payment of the jizya tax, in contrast to the zakat, or obligatory alms, paid by the Muslim subjects. Dhimmi were forbidden to bear arms and so did not perform military service and other privileges assigned specifically to Muslims. They were required to pay the poll tax (jizya) but had certain rights under the laws of property, contract, and obligation.