The word "dhimmi" is a term that refers to non-Muslim individuals living under Islamic rule who are granted some legal protection in exchange for paying a tax. Its spelling is derived from Arabic, which uses a different writing system than English. The IPA phonetic transcription of "dhimmi" is /ˈðɪmi/, with the "dhi" sound represented by the combination of the voiced dental fricative /ð/ and the vowel /i/. Understanding the IPA phonetic transcription helps to clarify the pronunciation of words across different languages and writing systems.
Dhimmi is a term primarily used in the context of Islamic law to refer to non-Muslim individuals or communities living under the authority of an Islamic state. The word "dhimmi" is derived from the Arabic root "dh-m-m" which means "to pay" or "to protect".
In Islamic historical and legal contexts, dhimmi refers to a protected or granted status given to non-Muslims who agree to recognize and accept the authority of an Islamic state, providing them with certain rights and protections under Sharia law. These rights may include the freedom to practice their own religion, protection from religious persecution, and assurance of personal security and property rights. However, dhimmis are also expected to pay a special tax, known as the jizya, in return for these protections.
The concept of dhimmi emerged during the early Islamic period when Islamic states came into contact with non-Muslim populations. Through the institution of dhimmi, Islamic states sought to maintain social order and protect minority communities within their territories.
It is important to note that the treatment of dhimmis varied throughout history and among different Islamic states. While some Islamic states upheld the rights and protections guaranteed to dhimmis, others may have imposed restrictions or discriminatory measures. Today, the concept of dhimmi is mainly discussed in historical and academic contexts, as the treatment of religious minorities is governed by individual countries' laws and international human rights standards.
The word "dhimmi" has its roots in Arabic, specifically derived from the Arabic term "dhimmah" (ذِمَّة), which means "protection" or "covenant". In Islamic history, the concept of dhimmi refers to the protected non-Muslim subjects living in an Islamic state under a specific set of conditions and obligations. The term entered European languages through medieval Arabic texts and became widely used to describe the non-Muslim communities living within the Muslim-dominated territories during the medieval period.