Dhimmi

Dhimmī (Arabic: ذمي ḏimmī, "protected person", IPA: [ˈðimmiː], collectively أهل الذمة ʾahl aḏ-ḏimmah/dhimmah, "protected people") is a historical term for non-Muslims living in an Islamic state with certain legal protections and restrictions. The word literally means "protected person", referring to the state's obligation under sharia to protect the individual's life, property, as well as freedom of religion, in exchange for loyalty to the state and payment of the jizya tax, in contrast to the zakat, or obligatory alms, paid by the Muslim subjects. Dhimmi were forbidden to bear arms and so did not perform military service and other privileges assigned specifically to Muslims. They were required to pay the poll tax (jizya) but had certain rights under the laws of property, contract, and obligation. Dhimmis were subject to specific restrictions as well, which were codified in agreements like the Pact of Umar. These included prohibitions on building new places of worship, repairing existing ones in areas where Muslims lived, teaching children the Quran, and preventing relatives from converting to Islam. Depending on specific areas and periods, Dhimmis were also restricted in the professions they could engage in, limited in travelling outside of specific areas, owning property, and were periodically exposed to forced conversions and massacres. They were also required to wear a yellow badge or other distinctive clothing, refrain from carrying weapons, and avoid riding on saddles.