X ISLAMIC Law protects basic human rights like the preservation of life, property, and honor for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Whether the non-Muslims are residents or visitors, they are guaranteed these rights. These rights cannot be taken away except in a justified case permitted by law. For instance, a non-Muslim may not be killed unless he is guilty of killing. Allah says: “Say: Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents; kill not your children because of poverty - We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near to Al-Fawâhish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly, and kill not anyone whom Allâh has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Islâmic law). This He has commanded you that you may understand.” (Qur'an 6:151) The Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) declared that the life of non-Muslims residents or visitor as inviolable when he said: “Whoever kills a person with whom we have a treaty, will not come close enough to Paradise to smell its scent, and its scent can be found as far away as 40 years of travel.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari) Islam does not allow assaulting a non-Muslim, violating his honor or property, or hurting him. If someone steals from a dhimmi (a person enjoying a Muslim government's protection under a covenant), he must be punished. If anyone takes a property (without his consent) from a dhimmi, the property must be returned. The Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) said: “You must know that it is unlawful for you to take the property of the People of the Covenant unless it is (in payment) for something.” He also said: “Indeed Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, has not allowed you to enter the homes of the People of the Book except by their permission, nor has He allowed you to hit their women, nor eat their fruit if they give you what is obligatory upon them [from the jizyah].” (Abu Dawood) There is an interesting story from the era of Ahmad Bin Tulun of Egypt. One day a Christian monk came to Tulun's palace to complain about his governor. Upon noticing him, a guard inquired about the problem. On finding out that the governor had taken 300 dinars from the monk, the guard offered to pay the monk on the condition that he does not complain, and the monk accepted his offer. The incident reached Tulun who ordered the monk, guard, and the governor to come to his court. Tulun said to the governor, ‘Are not all your needs met with a sufficient income? Do you have needs that justify taking from others?' The governor conceded to the force of his argument, yet still Tulun kept on questioning him, eventually removing him from his post. Tulun then asked the monk how much the governor had taken from him, and the monk told him it was 300 dinars. Tulun said, ‘It is too bad that you did not say 3000, as he needs a larger punishment, but I can only base it on your statement,' and took the money from the governor and returned it to the monk. Non-Muslims have the right that their honor be protected. This right is extended not only to non-Muslim residents, but also to visitors. They all have the right to be secure and protected. Allah says: And if anyone of the Mushrikûn (polytheists, idolaters, pagans, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh) seeks your protection then grant him protection, so that he may hear the Word of Allâh (the Qur'ân), and then escort him to where he can be secure, that is because they are men who know not. (Qur'an: 9:6) The right to asylum makes it a duty on every Muslim to respect and uphold the asylum granted by another Muslim according to the Prophet's (peace be upon him) statement: “The obligation imposed by the covenant is communal, and the nearest Muslim must try hard to fulfill it. Anyone who violates the protection granted by a Muslim will be under the curse of Allah, the angels, and all people, and on Judgment Day no intercession will be accepted on his behalf.” One of the female companions, Umm Hani, said to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): “Messenger of God, my brother Ali claims that he is at war with a man whom I have granted asylum, a man with the name of Ibn Hubayra.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) answered her: “Anyone you have given asylum to is under the protection of all of us, O Umm Hani.” The right to asylum and protection requires a Muslim to give asylum and grant security to a non-Muslim who seeks it and warns of severe punishment for anyone who violates it. Asylum guarantees protection from aggression, or attack for anyone who has been given security, a right that is not explicitly granted in any other religion.
