Q: I am writing you today to discuss a very pertinent issue that relates to the matter of collecting jizya. I was reading a book of Robert Spencer titled Truth About Muhammad: Founder of world’s most intolerant faith his accusations on expulsion of Arab pagans from Arabian peninsula and collection of jizya from non Muslims.
Mr. Spencer accuses that there are only specific non Muslim communities like Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians and Magians that are to be extended the privilege of Jizya payment, in return for protection in Muslim lands. While other group of non Muslims like atheists, agnostics and idol worshippers are to choose between death or conversion. Mr. Spencer bases his assertion while referring to Quran 9:29 where reference for payment of Jizya is only made for people of the book.
My question to you is can non Muslim groups like Hindus, Buddhists, atheists, etc can be asked to pay Jizya in return for protection in Muslim lands like Jews, Christians and Zorastrians?
If the answer is yes what explanation can you provide to Mr. Spencer’s accusation when he rightly pointed out that Quran 9:29 only offers jizya privilege for people of the book. Moreover the only other historical reference in Hadith for other non Muslim groups mentions just Magians and Zoroastrians to my knowledge, furthermore there is no historical reference for idolaters and atheists even though they flourished in Arabia peacefully before Islam gained sovereignty in that region.
