Minorities in an Islamic State — Page 10
10 that the non-Muslims would have the fullest opportunities to live in peace without the least threat or danger to their security. The term Dhimm i s was a source of pride both for the Muslims and non- Muslims. The institution of Dhimm i s contained the secret of the greatness of a government; and the public, irrespective of creed or community to which it belonged, took pride in being the citizens of a state of this kind. The term, at no stage, signified restraint against the fundamental rights of an individual nor did it mean to subject him to the restrictions of a subject and a slave. That in the days of the Holy Prophet sa and his successors, this principle of equality was followed in its highest sense is an open chapter of World history. No distinction was made between a Muslim and a non-Muslim in social and civic affairs. Every officer of state was issued clear directions particularly to protect the rights of non-Muslim citizens, to respect their dignity and honour and not to give them any cause or occasion for complaint. The Holy Prophet ’ s sa Sociological Relations with the Non-Muslims: The Holy Prophet sa as the head of the Islamic state treated the non-Muslims on a footing of absolute