Hishām ibn Hakīm ibn Hizām (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that while in the Levant, he passed by some Nabataean peasants who had been made to stand in the sun. He said: What is this? They said: They have been imprisoned on account of Jizyah (protection tax). So Hishām said: I testify that I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say:
"Verily, Allah tortures those who torture people in this world."
Reported by Muslim (No. 2613d, 2613b), Abu Dawud (No. 3045) and Ahmad (No. 14794, 14795).
Hishām ibn Hakīm ibn Hizām (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) passed by non-Arab peasants in the Levant who were made to stand under the scorching sun, so he asked about their situation. He was informed that they were treated that way because they had not paid Jizyah despite their ability to pay it. Thereupon, Hishām (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I testify that I heard the Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) say: Verily, Allah tortures those who torture people unjustly in this world.
Lessons
Jizyah is: a sum of money imposed on adult, wealthy men from the People of the Book in exchange for their protection and residence in the land of Islam.
The prohibition of torturing people, even disbelievers, without a Shariah-approved justification.
Warning oppressors against oppression.
Adherence of the Prophet's Companions to enjoining goodness and forbidding evil.
An-Nawawi said: This refers to torture without a just cause, so it does not include lawful punishment such as Qasās (retaliatory punishment), Hudūd (prescribed penalties), Ta‘zīr (discretionary punishment), and the like.
Explanation in Arabic
مَرّ هشام بن حكيم بن حزام رضي الله عنهما على فلاحين من العجم بالشام، قد أُوقفوا تحت حر الشمس، فسأل عن شانهم؟
فأخبر بأنهم فُعل بهم ذلك بسبب عدم دفعهم (الجزية) وهم قادرون على ذلك.
فقال هشام رضي الله عنه: أشهد لسمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول:
إن الله يعذب الذين يعذبون الناس في الدنيا ظلمًا بغير حق.
الجزية هي: مالٌ يُفرض على الرجال من أهل الكتاب البالغين الأغنياء مقابل حمايتهم وإقامتهم بدار الإسلام.
تحريم تعذيب الناس حتى الكفار بغير موجب شرعي.
تحذير الظالمين من الظُلم.
تمسك أصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم بالأمر بالمعروف والنهي عن المنكر.
قال النووي: هذا محمول على التعذيب بغير حق، فلا يدخل فيه التعذيب بحق كالقصاص، والحدود، والتعزير، ونحو ذلك.
Scholars’ grades
Scholar
Grade
Applies to
Work
Muslimd. 261 AH
Authenticصحيح
The hadith
صحيح مسلمNo. 2613
Grades of other versions (9)
AuthenticAl-Albaniصحيح — صحيح أبي داود (3045)
Authentic chainShu'ayb al-Arna'utإسناده صحيح — تخريج صحيح ابن حبان (5613)
وعن هشام بن حكيم بن حزام رضي الله عنه أنه مر بالشام على أناس من الأنباط، وقد أقيموا في الشمس، وصُب على رءوسهم الزيت فقال: ما هذا؟ يُعذبون في الخراج وفي رواية: حُبسوا في الجزية. فقال هشام: أشهد لسمعت رسول الله…