A Reappraisal of Attitudes to the 'People of the Book' in the Qur'an and Hadrth, with Particular Reference to Muslim Fiscal Policy and the Covenant of 'Umar
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
A Reappraisal of Attitudes to the 'People of the Book' in the Qur'an and hadrth, with Particular Reference to Muslim Fiscal policy and the Covenant of 'Umar by: MahmoodHassaan al-Denawy A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Doctor of philosophy of Durham University The copyright of this thesis rests with the author or the university to which it was submitted. No quotation from It, or Information derived from It may be published without the prior written consent of the author or university, and any information derived from It should be acknowledged. October 2006 School of Government & International Affairs IMEIS University of Durham, Durham United Kingdom 17 APR2007 II Abstract People Book This thesis is partially a study of the referencesin the Qur'an to the of the them. It which, for Muslims, represent the theoretical groundwork of relations with in Prophet's also considers the practical aspect of such relations as reflected the both relationship with the People of the Book during his life. In this way, it combines the theory represented by the Qur'an and the practical application of the same by the Prophet. By looking at these two aspects, the study aims to provide a more comprehensive perspective of the characteristics of the Qur'änic attitude towards the People of the Book, and to counter and correct some of the numerous misrepresentations and misunderstandings that have existed throughout history regarding the image of the Qur'än in the minds of Muslims and non-Muslims. Besides, the thesis is concerned with the study of the Muslim attitude towards the People of the Book (ahl al-Kitdb) in general and Jews and Christians in particular. It conducts detailed research based on primary sources illustrating the Qur'an and hadith. This formed the conceptual framework of Muslim treatment of non-Muslims. Part of this thesis will be dedicated to study `Umar Ibn al-Khattäb's treatment of non- Muslims. In order to provide more support for an accuratepicture of `Umar's treatment of Jews and Christians, the study further analyses some historical episodes of his treatment of Jews and Christians. The study discussesand analyses the steps taken by Prophet Muhammad and `Umar Ibn al-Khattäb towards both Jews and Christians in early Islam. As `Umar's assurance of safety defines the status of Christians communities under the new Muslims rule and establishedthe foundations of the way Muslims should follow when treating People of the Book in Islam, the study examines and critically analyses the Islamic taxation system introduced by Prophet Muhammad and `Umar. The debatable covenant of `Umar will also be discussed. Finally, the study concludes with a final discussion and summary of the findings, together with some critical remarks and recommendations. III Declaration The author of this thesis declaresthat none of the material of this thesis has been previously submitted to this or any other university and the works of others have been acknowledged. IV Acknowledgements First, all praise and thanks are due to Allah. I owe many people great deal of gratitude for their support. First of all, I take this opportunity of expressing my deep sense of gratitude to my supervisor Dr. Colin P Turner under whom I worked and from whom I have profited in the preparation of this work without his help and supervision this work would not have come to fruition. I am grateful to him. My thanks is due also to other members of the School of Government & International Affairs, the staff at Durham University Library, and the University ITS staff for their help. I should be grateful to my sponsor, the Egyptian Cultural and Educational Bureau in London for their support. Most of all, my heartfelt gratitude is due to my wife, and to my children: `Umar, Maryam, and Ibrahim. Without their continuous support and unceasing sacrifices, I would have never been able to write this thesis. My thanks is due to my mother, brothers, and sisters for their prayers and support. Last, I should thank all my colleagues in Durham University. They are too many to here. mention Therefore, I apologize if they are not singled out here V Dedication I dedicate this work to my mother who has been patient during my long absence outside the country, to the memory of my father, to my wife for her support and patience, and finally to my beloved children `Umar, Maryam, and recently Ibrahim. VI Table of contents Introduction 1 .................................................................................... People the Book in the Qur'än 6 Chapter One: The of ................. 1.1Introduction 6 ............................................................................... 1.2.1 Who 8 are ahl al-Kitäb? ............................................................ 1.2.2 Ah! 10 al-Kitäb and ahl al-Dhimmah ......................................... 1.3 The Qur'änic to the People the Book 11 approach of .................. 1.4 What does the Qur'än the People the Book? 12 say about of ..... 1.5 The the Qur'än 13 chronology of ................................................. 1.6 The Meccan 19 period ................................................................. 1.6.1 The Qur'änic verses that praise the People the Book 21 of ..... 1.6.2 Biblical prophets in the Qur'än 21 ............................................ 1.6.3 Featuresof the People the Book 27 of ..................................... 1.6.4Arguing with the Peopleof the Book 31 1.6.5 Prophecies ...................................33 .......................................................................... 1.6.6 The Qur'änic verses that the People the Book 34 criticise of ... 1.6.7 Beliefs 34 ................................................................................. 1.6.8 Scriptures 36 ............................................................................ 1.6.9 The Children of Israel (Banü lsrä'TI) 38 ..................................... 1.7 The Medinan period 40 1.7.2 Verses in ...............................................................the People the Book 41 praise of of ......................... 1.7.3 Reward in the Hereafter 41 ...................................................... 1.7.4 Preaching Islam 43 of ............................................................... 1.7.5 Characteristicsof the Peopleof the Book 46 1.7.6 Equality ...........................50 with other groups ................................................... 1.7.7 Domestic 52 relations ............................................................... 1.7.9 Affinity with Muslims 55 ............................................................ 1.7.8 Scriptures the People the Book 56 of of ................................... 1.8 Verses that criticise the People the Book 58 of ........................... 1.8.1 Perverting God's words and breaching His covenant.......... 59 1.8.2 Wishes of the People of the Book 64 1.8.3 Allegations ....................................... 67 ........... ............................................................... 1.8.4 The attitude of the People of the Book towards prophet Muhammad .................................................................................. 72 1.8.5 Attitude of the People the Book towards Muslims 75 of ........... 1.8.6 Concealing the truth 79 ............................................... .. .......... 1.8.7 Contradictions disagreements 82 and ...................................... 1.8.8 Dealing with scriptures........................................................ 85 1.8.9 Beliefs 88 ................................................................................ 1.8.11 Befriending the People of the Book 93 .................................. 1.8.12 The Children of Israel (Bane Isrä'iI) 95 .................................. 1.9 Meccan Medinan? 96 or ............................................................. Chapter Two: People the Book in the hadith 99 of ....................... VII 2.1 Introduction 99 2.2 The definition............................................................................ 99 and meaning of sunnah ................................... 2.3 The in Islamic law 103 place of sunnah ....................................... 2.4 The definition hadith 104 of ......................................................... 2.5 The between hadTth 107 relation and sunnah ............................. 2.6 The hadrth 108 authenticity of ..................................................... 2.7 The hadTth in this 111 range of used chapter .............................. 2.8 The prophetic attitude towards the People of the Book........ 112 2.9 The frame 113 of references ....................................................... 2.10 The Madinah 113 constitution of ............................................... 2.10.1 Introduction: 113 .................................................................... 2.10.2 Background importance 115 and ........................................... 2.10.3 Authenticity and date 118 ....................................................... 2.10.4 Articles of the constitution 122 ............................................... 2.10.5 Effects of the constitution 125 ............... ................................. 2.11.1 Introduction 127 ........................ ............................................. 2.11.2 The right to life 128 ...................... ........................................... 2.11.3 Rights of neighbourhood 131 ................................................. 2.11.4 Commercial transactions with the