Through Force or Faith? — Page 207
Chapter 4 — Interaction with non-Believers 207 unfortunately, it has been made the basis for criticism by ignorant people. Even this light tax was not levied on the entire Non-Muslim populace. Following categories were exempted from it: 1. All those who had dedicated their lives for the ser- vice of religion. 2. All women and children. 3. All elderly and infirm who could not be employed. 4. All blind and similarly disabled people who could not be employed. 5. All poor and destitute people who could not afford to pay jizya. Following principles were observed in the collection of jizya : 1. Jizya tax payer had the right to pay either with cash or by an object of equivalent value. 2. It was a firm directive about the collection of jizya that no harshness was to be used in this matter; par- ticularly, corporal punishment was forbidden. 3. If the person died while he owed some amount of the jizya tax, it was written off and the heirs were not penalized for it nor was his estate burdened for it. Does any nation give such a privilege to any people? Not only that