Cultivating Coexistence

The study of Christian Dhimmi populations in al-Andalus has traditionally focused on urban communities, while rural areas and peasant groups have received significantly less scholarly attention. This paper explores two under-researched aspects of the rights and obligations of non-Muslims in Islamic territories: the revitalization of legally abandoned lands ( mawāt ) and the payment of zakāt on agricultural production. Analyzing these legal frameworks sheds light on the role and agency of rural Dhimmi communities in the andalusi context. New archaeological evidence from Christian settlements in southern al-Andalus, as at the site of Tózar, further enhances our understanding of these communities. The integration of textual and material sources enables a more nuanced exploration of their productive strategies and commercial networks, ultimately contributing to a deeper understanding of the integration and coexistence of religious minorities in Muslim-ruled territories. The study of the dhimmi community of Tózar helps us understand how Christian groups integrated into a broader socioeconomic fabric while maintaining their religious identity and participating in surplus agricultural economies linked to trade taxation. These novel findings offer a fresh perspective on the traditional view of al-Andalus, revealing how non-Muslim dhimmīs played a significant role in shaping Islamic societies in the western Mediterranean

Agriculture · Human settlement · Islam · Peasant · Historical Studies of Medieval Iberia · Medieval Architecture and Archaeology · Medieval History and Crusades