I have an honest questions for knowledgeable Muslims?

Question

I'm a Jew, have never been a Zionist, I live in the Zionist state without citizenship and never served in the army or paid them a dime of tax I could find a way to get out of. (Sales Tax there's no way to get out of it, and once I worked with a work visa for 6 weeks, which ment they took money out.)

If Hamas were to take over completely and impose Islamic law, what would my life be like. The Foreign Minister for the Hamas government said we could stay, but he didn't say what Islamic law requires of Jews under its control.
Please only knowledgeable MUSLIMS answer, I don't want a bunch of rants from Zionists, I'm looking for information.

Answer 1

Razan gave the exact answer. Essentially in the times of the Islamic caliphate (rulership) of Jerusalem and most of arabia, Christians and Jews were allowed to live, worship, build places of worship, etc in "muslim territories." In Islam, this is how it should work. Sadly however, Islam is not what most people rule by, even those who profess to. For example, the concept of a royal family is quite un-Islamic. At the time of the Prophet Muhammad, caliphates were selected by the people, and were not necessarily related to the Prophet. Saudi, the birthplace of Islam and the home of 2/3 of the Islamic holy sites, is run by a monarchy.

I bring that up because although Hamas claims to want to govern by Islam, realistically they will try to "Islamo-Zionize" the region. To me, the best bet is for Israel to maintain as a country, but quit expanding their borders, go back to the '67 borders, and allow an international peacekeeping group to govern Jerusalem, with a soveriegn Palestine outside of the 1967 borders. This requires compromise from both sides though, also something that will never occur.

I'm muslim, but I don't have faith in fellow muslims to govern in this current era. It's incredibly unfortunate, but it's reality. I respect your stance and opposition to Zionist tenants, as a Jew, you are considered a "Person of the Book" or one of the people that God chose to reveal earlier revelations to in Islam. Best wishes, and prayers for peace in your region.

Shalom/Salaam

Answer 2

I think the above answers do very well in answering your question, however I'd just say it is Hamas who will decide how they are going to run the country if they ever take power. But I'll just explain what Jizya and Dhimmi are:

What is a Dhimmi and what is Jizya? Many have tried to suggest that Dhimmi was a derogatory term used for Non- Muslims living in Muslim lands. However Dhimmi means someone who is protected. When Islamic rule was established in a land a covenant was created between the government and the Non- Muslims whereby they would receive protection from the government and its services, the Dhimmi was also exempt from joining the army.

Jizya is the poll tax paid by the Dhimmis as a payment for the protection and government services. Recently critics have also tried to suggest that people were also forced to convert to Islam to avoid paying the Jizya.

However the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said:
"…I also recommend him concerning Allah’s and His Apostle’s protectees (Dhimmi) to fulfil their contracts and to fight for them and not to overburden them with what is beyond their ability."

Sahih Bukhari Book 57 Number 50

Critics also suggest that the Jizya was used to humiliate the Dhimmis, this is not true, the payment ofJizya acknowledges that the Non-Muslim recognises the authority of the Muslim government. Just as I pay taxes to the government in the UK because I recognise their authority.

We can see that the jizya was not used to humiliate the Non- Muslims because in order to humiliate every non believer, Muslims would tax every non believer. However this is not true, women, children, the elderly, the poor and men of religious service (priests, rabbis etc) were exempt from paying Jizya.

Jizya did not have to be paid if the Muslim State could not protect the Non Muslims or if the Non-Muslim offered his service in the Army. Those that did pay Jizya were obliged to protection from the Islamic state and government services.

However these same critics do not consider that Muslims also had to and still to this day pay a compulsory tax (alms) known as Zakaat as it is an article of faith/ one of the five pillars of Islam. This tax that Muslims pay was distributed throughout the land for the poor, those in debt, lost travellers and so forth.

No Muslim adult is exempt from this tax, men, and women, young, old, healthy or unhealthy. All have to pay on assets such as merchandise for business, cash, stock or bonds, gold, silver, livestock etc.

"And there are those who hoard gold and silver and do not spend it in the way of Allah, announce to them a most grievous penalty

(when) on the Day of Judgment heat will be produced out of that wealth in the fire of Hell. Then with it they will be branded on their forehead and their flanks and backs. (It will be said to them) This is the treasure which you hoarded for yourselves, taste then the treasure that you have been hoarding."

Quran at-Tawba Chapter 9 Verse 34 - 35

Muslims also have to pay additional Saddaqa (charity) as the time requires from them to do so. This means that Muslims end up carrying more financial responsibility than the Dhimmis.

Answer 3

well, if Hamas does so, the jews and all who aren't Muslims should pay Jizya (tax) and therefore they will be considered untouchable and safe. Muslims aren't allowed to fight them unless it's self defense.
Of course non-Mulsims are supposed to have the same civilian rights, no discrimination.
Hopefully Hamas will respect the Islamic law and go by it without changes.

I wish I can get you more info about it. But I can't find english sources right now, I am just telling you from what I have learned.

Answer 4

Like the Constitution of Medina promulgated by the Prophet himself, the Jews and Christians (the People of the Book) are allowed to live alongside with Muslims, with similar local and national responsibilites that of the Muslims, i.e. protecting the security of the nation, maintaining social order, etc. Their security and individuality are thoroughly protected as long as they do not commit treason against the Islamic government. It is no different from Muslims too as surely everyone in the nation is required to be loyal to the nation. Like the orthodox Islamic tradition, the People of the Book would have to pay certain tax called jizya, while Muslims pay their tax in form of zakat. This is an ideal Islamic law which should have been implemented elsewhere as well. Unfortunately, like my brothers say, the current monarchs of Saudi Arabia especially do not exercise it as it should have been exercised. To God they will have to answer, surely.

I pray that you and other peaceful Jews and Christians of the holy land can live together with my Muslim brothers and sisters, in peace and harmony, with mutual tolerance and respect, as soon as possible, God-willing. May God simplify the affairs of true peace and freedom fighters of the holy land.

May God protect His righteous servants, be them Muslims, Christians, or Jews. God Bless. And happy holidays.

Peace and Love. Wassalam =)

Answer 5

If Hamas did take over, I would beleive they would first kill the Israeli government, and expand mosques. Then, they should allow all citizens to pay tax, and keep their religion. If they did the right thing, everybody would live in peace, and harmany.

Answer 6

As a Christian, I was wondering these things. The answers are mixed. Here are my questions....

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AkgBHWKZ2HKHiXHspnGs7Rjsy6IX?qid=20061227072858AAWMamd
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AiW9yW3Xhd_nwk_Le.iSlYfsy6IX?qid=20061227071734AAAGfmL
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Am_jDn6UnVLiK83185mhurDsy6IX?qid=20061227065904AA1krYO