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Muslim Reform Movement

Useless2015

Active Member
That's not what the jizyah is for. Non-Muslims are already expected to pay all the same taxes (which already cover the cost of the things you listed above) as Muslims. The jizyah is designed to financially segregate & weaken non-Muslims and act as an incentive for them to convert to Islam. Mandating that non-Muslims be made to suffer an extra tax burden in order that they not be harassed by Muslims for being of different faith is discriminating against those non-Muslims.

The same can be said about Muslims and Zakaat.



The Qu'ran and hadith advocate violence against religious minorities who don't want to be financially discriminated against.

Qur'an (9:29) - "Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued."

Muslim (19:4294) - "If they refuse to accept Islam, demand from them the Jizya. If they agree to pay, accept it from them and hold off your hands. If they refuse to pay the tax, seek Allah's help and fight them"

Bukhari (53:386) - "Our Prophet, the Messenger of our Lord, has ordered us to fight you till you worship Allah Alone or give Jizya (i.e. tribute); and our Prophet has informed us that our Lord says:-- "Whoever amongst us is killed (i.e. martyred), shall go to Paradise to lead such a luxurious life as he has never seen, and whoever amongst us remain alive, shall become your master."

Ishaq 956 & 962 - "He who withholds the Jizya is an enemy of Allah and His apostle."

These verses all justify the same tactics used by criminals - extort money from would-be victims in return for holding off physical violence. It's commonly called 'protection money'. @paarsurrey should take a look at this post as well since we had an argument about this very subject a few months back.

If i dont pay my taxes in Europe, the IRS will threaten me, take away my belongings and or send me to jail. Is that 'protection money' aswell?
 

Useless2015

Active Member
The OT does, but there aren't many Christians who feel that the OT must still be adhered to. Not to mention, not even the OT speaks to same-sex marriage in any way, shape, or form. So, GreasedScottsman has got you there.

It would be absurd if the OT would speak about gaymarriage seeing how its written well over 2000 years ago...
 

leibowde84

Veteran Member
It would be absurd if the OT would speak about gaymarriage seeing how its written well over 2000 years ago...
Exactly ... agreed. It is absurd to think that the OT says anything about an institution that didn't even exist at the time it was written. And, keep in mind that all sex outside of marriage is considered sinful.
 

leibowde84

Veteran Member
The same can be said about Muslims and Zakaat.





If i dont pay my taxes in Europe, the IRS will threaten me, take away my belongings and or send me to jail. Is that 'protection money' aswell?
You are missing the point. Taxation should not be based on religious adherence. It is facially discriminatory. But, when everyone pays the SAME TAXES, regardless of their religion, it is completely reasonable.
 

The Emperor of Mankind

Currently the galaxy's spookiest paraplegic
The same can be said about Muslims and Zakaat.

Not at all. As others have already pointed out, money raised from zakat has a specific purpose: helping the poor & dispossessed in society. There is no other purpose to the jizyah beyond segregating, penalising and humiliating non-Muslims. The two are not remotely comparable.

If zakat bothers you then perhaps it's time you did some soul-searching and ask yourself why.

If i dont pay my taxes in Europe, the IRS will threaten me, take away my belongings and or send me to jail. Is that 'protection money' aswell?

False equivalence for two reasons:
  1. In Western societies you're expected to pay the same taxes as every other citizen. You're not being discriminated against in any way. If you were refusing to pay a special 'Muslim tax' that was placed on you specifically because you were Muslim, and the IRS was threatening you with asset forfeiture, physical violence and/or kidnapping your family then you would have a case.
  2. Disputing tax liabilities owed is permitted in civilised societies and you have the option of challenging these liabilities via legal avenues. Non-Muslims disputing the jizyah have far fewer options and run the risk of suffering violence as a result of non-payment.
 
after conquering Mecca he launched two attacks on the city of Ta'if - at least one attack was supported by siege engines - not a defensive action.

This is an interesting story as it has an army of Arabs using Roman siege weapons and military tactics, illustrating that it is likely many of the Arabs involved in the early conquests were former Roman auxiliary troops
 

Sees

Dragonslayer
So attack Europeans, attack the Jews, attack America, anything but actually consider the need for Islam to reform. o_O

Hard part is Islam being anti-reform foundationally. Out of all well-known and large religions - it has to hold the title for being the most clear cut and set in stone. It isn't as fluid and adaptable as most and it is good, and refreshing, to see Muslims themselves post as such.
 

The Emperor of Mankind

Currently the galaxy's spookiest paraplegic
I guess Christianity has had a bit longer to mature.

I'd say the Enlightenment has pried Christian theology from national governance in many places - meaning Churches have a harder time telling people what to think. I wouldn't say Christianity has matured, more that its ability to influence daily life has been eroded by an increase in secular governance.
 

Useless2015

Active Member
Exactly ... agreed. It is absurd to think that the OT says anything about an institution that didn't even exist at the time it was written. And, keep in mind that all sex outside of marriage is considered sinful.

Marriage in the Bible(OT or NT take your pick) is between man and a woman. It never occured to the authors of the Bible to incorporate something like gay marriage because the gays would be stoned to death before ever setting a date, let alone have an actual official wedding like man and woman lol...:facepalm:
 

Useless2015

Active Member
Not at all. As others have already pointed out, money raised from zakat has a specific purpose: helping the poor & dispossessed in society. There is no other purpose to the jizyah beyond segregating, penalising and humiliating non-Muslims. The two are not remotely comparable.

Ofcourse Jizya is also to make the non-muslims feel submissive. To ensure complete authority and loyalty.
But you know, you are making it to be an evil aspect but it's not. I think the actions of Christians and Jews in the past who left Christian nations to live in the Caliphate despite the 'evil' Jizya say a whole lot about how bad Jizya actually is.


If zakat bothers you then perhaps it's time you did some soul-searching and ask yourself why.
It doesn't bother me. I was relating to Zakaat because its discriminatory aswell.



False equivalence for two reasons:
  1. In Western societies you're expected to pay the same taxes as every other citizen. You're not being discriminated against in any way.

Than why do the rich pay more?
 
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