How does Islam treat minorities? Do they give them the same right, they get in Non-Muslim countries?

Question

Muslims are given equal rights in the non-muslim world such as in the west. They are free to practice their religion, faith, can serve in military, have freedom of speech and can even be head of the state (by Law). Is the same true in Islam also for a minority group? How does Islam treat minority?

Answer 1

In response to the part about whether non-Muslims get the same rights as Muslims in Muslim states:

Non-muslims living in an Islamic state should have (almost) all rights Muslims have. Everything a Muslim is entitled to do is entitled to non-Muslims as well, except for specific rules:

• Non-Muslims may not lead the state.
• A non-Muslim male may not marry a Muslim female.
• They may not sell forbidden goods (Haram, eg. wine) to Muslims.
• They are required to pay Jizyah (a kind of tax). (Although under normal conditions 50%-75% of them are relieved from it.)
• They are not required to submit to military duty as long as Muslims are capable of defending the state, and thus non-Muslims do not join the Islamic army. It's the duty of the Muslim army to defend non-Muslims in an Islamic state. If the Muslim army is incapable of this, non-Muslim help is asked for, either in the form of a mutual-defense treaty (in case the non-Muslims form a distinct group, such as a whole city), or as army members, in which case they are entitled to get a salary in return for their military service (even if Muslims don't get paid).

(This may not be a comprehensive list.)

It's noteworthy that Christians and Jews have the right to be judged according to either their religious rules or to Islamic rules.

As for how Islam treats minorities, I would like to refer you to the Medina Charter or the Constitution of Medina. (It's the same document, but different translations).

Answer 2

Islam clearly states that a true believer should do Husn-e-sulook i.e. a respectful behaviour with others.

There are several verses.

For the poor and needy

"They (the true believers) give food, out of love for Allah, to the poor, the > orphan and the slave, saying: We feed you only for Allah's pleasure - we > desire from you neither reward nor thanks." (76:8-9)

"Have you seen him who goes against religion? That is the one who is rough to > the orphan and does not urge the feeding of the needy." (107:1-3)

Neighbours

Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful.(4:36)

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