Towards a Methodology of Studying the History of the Dhimmis

Methodology is the primary regulator of scholarly research. Thus, it is a concern to scholars in all fields. I have noticed and discussed with colleagues historical studies that in my view do not adhere to rigorous standards of historical thinking. The objective of this paper is not to refer to passages or quote other scholarly works, rather to point out some considerations I hope will lead to a more accurate results in studying dhimmis. The paper will begin by defining the word dhimma, with a brief of its historical evolution in Islamic history. It also pinpoint where difficulty arises in trying to place all dhimmis through Islamic history in one category. Then it lists the methodological points, first: the disregarding of the School of Islamic Law under which a particular incident accrued. Second: the importance of differentiating between dhimmis and ahlu al-'ahd. Third: paying attention to the cultural differences in the Islamic World. Fourth: treating an entire community as a single economic entity. Fifth: disregarding of the parallel Islamic society of the period and region under study. Sixth: the differentiation between religion and religion driven by politics.