Ukraine, Citizenship, and the Concept of "Ahl al-Dhimma" in Islam

Hypocrisy of International Slogans in the Ukrainian Crisis

Peace be upon you and the mercy of God, dear friends. The enemies of the religion and those with sick hearts attack the concept of "Ahl al-Dhimma" in Islam, saying to you: "This is an uncivilized concept; the civilized concept is citizenship, where all citizens have the same rights and duties, and there are no second-class citizens."

Of course, these slogans have evaporated in the Ukrainian crisis, where we saw some of Ukraine's inhabitants treated as tenth-class citizens; blacks, Arabs, and Indians were not allowed to board trains to escape the war. We also saw the disgusting statements that treated Muslims in general as tenth-class humans. This is the habit of the international system: hollow slogans that collapse during trials and disputes over resources.

The Concept of Ahl al-Dhimma and the Right to Protection

Now, let's imagine if the inhabitants of Ukraine—both whites and non-whites—were in an Islamic state that establishes the law of God and treats its book-people as Ahl al-Dhimma. If an attack occurred on them, what would be Islam's position on this attack?

First, "Ahl al-Dhimma" means they are under the protection of God Almighty and His Messenger (peace be upon him). This designation implies care for their rights, and therefore, Muslims must defend them. Ibn Hazm al-Andalusi said in "Maratib al-Ijma'":

"Whoever is under the protection (dhimmah) and the enemy comes to our land intending to harm them, it is obligatory upon us to go out and fight them with weapons, and we should die before that; to protect those who are under the protection of God Almighty and His Messenger, and to defend them with determination even if they die for that."

This is considered a jihad in the sight of God Almighty.

The Status of Those Killed Defending Ahl al-Dhimma

So, if a Muslim dies defending the dhimmi, what is his ruling and his reward? At that moment, he is a martyr by right, a martyr in the sight of God, not a "martyr of citizenship" or a "martyr of humanity," but a martyr in the cause of God.

The Encyclopedia of Jurisprudence states:

"The scholars have agreed that oppression has an effect on the ruling that the killed person is a martyr (and this refers to someone other than a martyr of battle with the disbelievers). Among the forms of killing with oppression: those killed by robbers and rebels and highwaymen, or those killed defending themselves, their property, their blood, their religion, their family, the Muslims, or the Ahl al-Dhimma."

Notice: "or the Ahl al-Dhimma." The one who defends the Ahl al-Dhimma for the sake of God Almighty and is killed for that is a martyr. Would I fight to defend men and women who do not believe in my Prophet or my religion, and yet still be a martyr? Yes, because you defended them in obedience to God Almighty and in preservation of the protection of God Almighty and His Messenger (peace be upon him).

Six Facts on the Scale of Islamic Justice

Notice with me here six things:

1. Equality in Protection: If there were a truly Islamic state, it would not differentiate in defense between a European and an African, or between a white and a black person, as we see in the disgusting statements and actions now; this is done in accordance with the right and justice that Islam brings.
2. The Fall of International Standards: While the hypocritical international system says, "Citizenship is the standard," and blames Muslims with the verse of God: {Until they pay the jizyah willingly while they are humbled}, yet when it comes to critical moments, the international system throws citizenship and humanity into the "trash," and the pre-Islamic conflicts appear.
3. Answering the Doubters: I usually find, when presenting such topics, that someone will divert the subject and say, "So you consider non-Muslims living among us as Ahl al-Dhimma? Who gave them the protection?" My friends, this is not my topic; rather, my goal is to say loudly to those who mock our religion and blame us with the concept of Ahl al-Dhimma, considering it backward: "Be quiet, if you please, no hypocrisy, no deception, and no arrogance toward the religion of God Almighty."
4. Fulfilling Covenants: It is not only the disbelieving dhimmi that Muslims defend, but if an Islamic state has covenanted with a disbelieving state to protect it, then Muslims must defend this disbelieving state if it is attacked, in accordance with the saying of God Almighty: {And fulfill the covenant of God}.
5. Rejecting Cheap Exploitation: All of the above does not mean that we accept the cheap exploitation of religion in the current war.
6. The Nobility of the Faithful Motive: Under the imaginary borders set by the occupier, the concept of solidarity among Muslims and the protection of Ahl al-Dhimma and the covenant have been struck. What will motivate a person to defend others if the rule of Sharia is absent? Is it national motives? Will I be ready to sacrifice myself, my money, and my life, and expose my children to orphanhood for the sake of "brotherhood of the nation"? What will the nation give me in return, other than two meters of earth in which I will be buried?

Conclusion: Where Is the True Safety?

When the standard is Islam and the establishment of its rulings, what makes me defend Ahl al-Dhimma is my creed, my obedience to God, my glorification of His protection and the protection of His Messenger (peace be upon him), and my longing for a Paradise whose expanse is the heavens and the earth.

Even in our current situation and the absence of a state that establishes Sharia, if a human being from among the non-Muslims is wronged, I will defend him if I can, as an approach to God Almighty. Then look at the difference, and where do even the disbelievers feel safer? When they are among "blacks" who defend them as an approach to God? Or when the motive is flimsy concepts like the nation and citizenship?

How excellent is the judgment of God for the reform of this world and the Hereafter if only they knew: {Do they seek the judgment of ignorance? And who is better in judgment than God for a people who have certainty?}

Peace be upon you and the mercy of God.