What is the meaning of jizyah? Does it mean that a rich person who can pay it is exempted from punishment and continues in the way he is (maintain his own belief) while a poor person who cannot pay has to either be subject to punishment or accept that which is offered (i.e. Islam)? Does this not contradict the verse that says (what means): {For you is your religion, and for me is my religion} and the fact that religion was not imposed by the sword! Thus, a person may be compelled to embrace Islam while he is not convinced of it. Kindly explain the meaning of jizyah supported with proof from the Quran or the Sunnah.

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Jizyah is what is taken from Ahl Ath-Thimmah (i.e. Jews and Christians living in Muslim state and enjoying Muslim protection). Al-Qurtubi said:

The word jizyah is a derivative of 'jaza' and 'yajzi', which means to repay a favor done to one. So it is as if they give it in return for the security that they are granted. It is to be taken from a free, sane, adult person who has the ability to fight and is able to pay it. It is not taken from women, boys, slaves, mad people, aged people, or those who are unable to pay it. ‘Umar exempted a poor Jew whom he saw begging from paying jizyah.

In fact, jizyah is one of the merits of Islam. The Roman kings would take half of the workers' production and sometimes usurp their rights limitlessly. When Islam came, it took only one dinar from each individual. This is related in a hadith on the authority of Mu‘ath ibn Jabal who said, “The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, sent me to Yemen and commanded me to take from every thirty cows a tabee‘ (two-year-old), and from every forty a musinnah (three-year-old), and from every person who had reached the age of puberty a dinar.” [At-Tirmithi; Al-Albani: authentic]

Moreover, imposing jizyah on them does not mean that they are coerced to embrace Islam, for there is no compulsion in religion, as revealed in a Quranic verse. The following was stated in Al-Musannaf, by ‘Abdur-Razzaq: “The letter of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, to the people of Yemen stated that if a person, a Jew or Christian, dislikes Islam, he should not be made to leave his religion and is required to pay jizyah.”

However, it was imposed on them in return for protecting and securing their lives and property. When the Companions feared that a danger that they could not repel might befall Ahl Ath-Thimmah, they would give their jizyah back to them.

Allah knows best.