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Kharaj Explained
Kharaj was state land revenue — not worship, not owed by you. Educational reference only.
- ✓Origin: associated with ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab’s administration of the Sawad (Iraq) lands.
- ✓Levied on land productivity (often a share or fixed measure), distinct from ushr on the Muslim farmer’s crop.
- ✓Ushr vs kharaj: ushr is the farmer’s worship-due; kharaj was the state’s land revenue — classical manuals treat them separately.
- ✓Rates and methods varied by land survey and era; no universal figure.
- ✓No modern individual owes kharaj as Islamic worship.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Do farmers owe kharaj today?
No. Muslim farmers owe ushr/zakat on produce; kharaj belonged to a historical fiscal system.
Kharaj vs ushr?
Ushr is worship on the harvest; kharaj was state land revenue. They could historically coincide on some lands — a classical debate, not a modern bill.
Why include it here?
So readers stop confusing historical taxes with personal obligations — accuracy matters.