Islamic taxes were lighter than Roman ones, says Sharjah panel

Sharjah: As part of its centennial celebrations, the Sharjah Public Libraries (SPL) organised a panel discussion titled "The Cultural Mission" at the Holy Qur’an Academy in Sharjah.

Held in collaboration with the Holy Quran Academy and Al Qasimia University, the event was attended by Dr. Abdullah Khalaf Al Hosani, Secretary-General of the Holy Qur’an Academy, alongside a distinguished gathering of academics, intellectuals and university students.

 The session featured Dr. Nasser Al Falasi, Assistant Professor in the History Department at Zayed University, Dr. Abdul Hakim Al Anis, Scientific Expert at the Holy Qur’an Academy, and was moderated by Dr. Rashid Al Naqbi. The discussion formed part of SPL’s broader efforts to revive Arab and Islamic knowledge traditions and to reinforce the role of libraries as essential cultural and intellectual hubs in society.

 The speakers presented a wide-ranging discussion that included a critical analysis of the development of governance in Islamic civilisation. They highlighted the fairness and superiority of its financial system compared to Western and Roman models, and shared anecdotes from the Arab literary tradition.

The insights reflected the intellectual richness and humanistic depth of Muslim scholars, whose pioneering approaches in fields such as philosophy, health and sociology often preceded modern discourse.

 Governance in Islamic civilisation

 In the session, Dr. Nasser Al Falasi discussed the development of governance in Islamic civilisation, highlighting how the historian’s perspective shapes the understanding of history. He stressed that the Islamic financial system played a key role in the prosperity of the Islamic state and criticised the reliance of some Orientalist scholars on Roman and Western sources, which has led to misinterpretations of Islamic taxation, particularly the jizya. 

He compared the Islamic and Roman financial systems, showing that Islamic taxes were significantly lighter. For example, annual tax rates under Islamic governance were much lower and more inclusive, with exemptions for women, children and older people. Unlike the Roman model, the Islamic system protected non-Muslims without obliging them to take part in military service. 

Dr. Al Falasi noted that some Western historians have recognised the jizya as a refined financial structure that supported public welfare and enabled non-Muslim communities to thrive economically. He also highlighted the Islamic approach’s flexibility, which considered distance, hardship and agricultural conditions, applying tax only to cultivated land.

 He concluded with the discovery of early Islamic tax records from the second century Hijri, later compiled by a British historian, offering rare insights into the practical workings of Islamic fiscal policy.

 Wit and wisdom in Arab literary heritage

 On his part, Dr. Abdul Hakim Al Anis presented a paper exploring the wit and depth of Arab literary heritage, highlighting the intellectual vibrancy of Islamic civilisation. He added that Arab scholars produced a wide range of works covering science, art, philosophy and daily life, many of which are preserved in leading libraries around the world.

 He shared examples of unconventional texts, including historical accounts, reflections on human experiences such as hunger and grief, and writings that captured the final moments of prominent figures, noting that these works reveal that Arab scholars addressed themes often considered modern, centuries ago.

 Al Anis also discussed humorous and practical literature on topics, including health, ageing and social etiquette. Some of these writings have gained renewed interest in contemporary health and social studies, showing the lasting relevance of Islamic thought.

 He concluded that issues such as emotional well-being and interpersonal conduct, now widely discussed in modern literature, were deeply examined by early Arab thinkers, offering valuable insights that remain relevant today.

 The event also included a specialised workshop on Arabic calligraphy and Islamic ornamentation, giving participants the opportunity to explore the beauty and history of Islamic arts in an integrated setting that bridged thought and creativity.