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The question

What is the legitimacy of the statement that the Islamic state is a civil state with an Islamic reference, and does this mean that Muslims and Christians are equal in rights, including nominating themselves for the presidency and building churches?

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Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

Islam does not deny the rights of non-Muslims residing in a Muslim state, but it differentiates between them and Muslims in specific rulings based on Islamic , which is the constitution of the state. Justice is giving every rightful person their due, not absolute equality, which might equate what should be differentiated. Equality might necessitate equating two things that wisdom dictates differentiating between, such as the differentiation in marriage between a Muslim woman and a Christian man, and prohibiting non-Muslims from holding authority over Muslims. It has been mentioned that Allah commanded justice, not equality, and differentiation in treatment does not negate justice; rather, it is a requirement of it. Similarly, it is not permissible to make patriotism a substitute for religion in judging people and equating Muslims and non-Muslims absolutely.

Summary from Ftawy's records · added here

Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.

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Where this answer came from
Source platform
Ftawy
Original fatwa ID
116649
Added here
. This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
Text
Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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Read the full answer on Ftawy