What is haraa?

Haraa, also spelled as "Kharaaj", refers to a land tax historically levied on non-Muslim landowners in some Islamic states.

• It was a key source of revenue for the state.
• The rate of haraa varied based on factors such as the land's fertility, type of crop grown, and the local laws and customs.
• Historically, the implementation and significance of haraa varied across different regions and time periods within the Islamic world.
• It can be contrasted with Ushr, a tax on agricultural land paid by Muslims.
• Over time, the application and administration of haraa evolved, sometimes being replaced or modified by other forms of taxation.
• The term "dhimmis" is related to this subject as haraa was often applicable to them.