What is the meaning of the statement by the author of the book *Kashf al-Mukhaddirat* (Uncovering Narcotics): "And the jizyah is not taken from the Christians of Banu Taghlib, even if they offer it?"

Question:
The Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, says: The author of *Kashf al-Mukhaddirat* states, "The jizyah is not taken from the Christians of Banu Taghlib, even if they offer it; rather, it is taken from a *harbi* (one in a state of war) among them who has not entered into a peace treaty, if he offers it. And in exchange for it, two zakahs are taken from their wealth, from that which is subject to zakah." What is the meaning of this statement, may Allah grant you success?

Answer:
This refers to whom? What is meant by the People of the Book? Is it meant to refer to the original People of the Book? Or does it not include one who adopts their religion, even if he was not originally one of them? Banu Taghlib are Arabs, a tribe of the Arabs, but they adopted the religion of the Christians and became Christians, though they were not originally Christians. The scholars differed on whether they are treated according to the ruling for Christians or not? Or are they treated according to the ruling for polytheists? The correct view is that anyone who adopts the religion of the Christians is treated according to the ruling for Christians, and anyone who adopts the religion of the Jews is treated according to the ruling for Jews, whether he is an original member or one who joined them.