The covenants issued on this matter—and the written replies of Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal to al-Mutawakkil—are well known.

Among the conditions laid down were the following:

• Measures that keep the objectionable elements of their religion hidden and prevent their public display—such as prohibiting them from exhibiting wine, ringing church bells, lighting ceremonial fires, celebrating their festivals, and the like.

• Measures that conceal the outward symbols of their creed, including raising their voices when reciting their scriptures.

Accordingly, ʿUmar—may Allah be pleased with him—together with the Muslims of his time, the scholars after them, and every ruler whom Allah has guided, all agreed to prevent the People of the Book from manifesting within the Abode of Islam anything that is peculiar to them. The aim was to ensure that the distinctive marks of the polytheists would not appear in Muslim lands—so how much more reprehensible is it when Muslims themselves adopt and exhibit those marks!

• Further stipulations served to withhold honor from them and to subject them to the state of abasement that Allah has ordained.

It is self-evident that to honor their festivals and the like by participating in them is a form of showing them respect; they rejoice and are gratified by such participation, just as they are aggrieved when their false religion is neglected.