The legal status of the houses of worship belonging to the Dhimmis

The aim of this study is to determine the legal status of the houses of worship belonging to the dhimmis by identifying the legal framework of freedoms and restrictions related to them and the procedural bases of these provisions. The thesis consists of two parts. In the first part, the concepts of country and citizenship in Islamic law are discussed due to their direct relevance to the subject. In the second part, the concepts related to the subject and the evidence that influenced the formation of the relevant law are discussed, followed by the views of the Islamic sects. While presenting the views of the Islamic sects, intra-school and inter-school conflicts and agreements, the evolution of preferences for different views over time, and rational evidence presented by scholars outside of scriptural sources are examined. As a result of the study, it was determined that the houses of worship belonging to other religions are evaluated by Islamic law as religious symbols and symbols of domination. Therefore, it was concluded that in places where they could serve as religious propaganda tools and compete with Islam, the houses of worship belonging to non-Muslims should be restricted, together with other religious symbols. It was also observed that the fact that land ownership in cities conquered by Muslims through war belongs to Muslims was considered by Islamic jurists as another reason for the restriction of the houses of worship of the dhimmis. It was concluded that in places where the houses of worship of the dhimmis are not considered as religious propaganda tools and do not pose a challenge to Islam, the dhimmis should be granted freedom regarding their own houses of worship because of their religious needs.