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Free Men

رجال أحرار

Ismaël Ferroukhi's film on the Grand Mosque of Paris and rector Si Kaddour Benghabrit sheltering Jews under Nazi occupation — a true story of Muslim rescue.

Depth

At a glance

Identifiers
Wikidataimdbelcinema
Review
Draft Completeness 2/5 · Help complete it

Non-Muslim minorities under Muslim ruleColonial wars and resistance

Screening Room

Format
Film · Muslim history or life carries the story
Released
2011 CE · 1432 AH†
Countries
FR
Languages
fr (original) · ar (original)
Approach
historical drama
Depiction of sacred figures
The Prophet: Not applicable · Companions: Not applicable · Imams: Not applicable
Titles in other languages
Les Hommes libresFree Menرجال أحرار

Reception

  • Award. Abu Dhabi Film Festival
  • Award. Santa Barbara International Film Festival

Where to watch officially: No official link recorded. · Listed, not endorsed.

Overview

"Free Men" is a historical drama film released in 2011, produced in France, directed by Ismaël Ferroukhi. Its leading performers include Tahar Rahim, Michael Lonsdale, Lubna Azabal, None and None. A French film by Ismaël Ferroukhi about the Grand Mosque of Paris and its imam Si Kaddour Ben Ghabrit, who saved Jews during the Nazi occupation; a true story of a Muslim stance. 1 2

Context and reception

Among the awards and honours recorded for it: Abu Dhabi Film Festival, Santa Barbara International Film Festival. 1

Connections

Explore the connections

Features
Tahar Rahim· Michael Lonsdale· Lubna Azabal· Stéphane Rideau· Blandine Pélissier· Bruno Fleury· Christopher Buchholz· Farid Larbi
Directed by
Ismaël Ferroukhi
Written by
Ismaël Ferroukhi

People and things also explored

Ahl al-Dhimma (the protected non-Muslim subjects of an Islamic state, their covenant, rights, duties and limits)· Resistance and terrorism — the dividing line· Christianity in Arabia before Islam· Dhimma (the covenant of protection)· Hijaz in the jurists' rulings· Jizya (capitation on treaty peoples)· Judaism in Arabia before Islam· Monk (rahib): his killing in jihad and the jizya on monks

Sources

  1. Wikidata
  2. IMDb
  • elCinema
Cite this page

islam.museum contributors. “Free Men”. islam.museum, https://islam.museum/en/screen/rijal-ahrar-2011/. CC BY-SA 4.0. Last updated 2026-10-17.

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Related

Ahl al-Dhimma (the protected non-Muslim subjects of an Islamic state, their covenant, rights, duties and limits)

Ahl al-dhimma are non-Muslim subjects who remain in the land of Islam in their unbelief under a covenant with the imam, granting them safety for life and property in return for the poll tax and their submission to the rules of Islam. The dhimma is acquired by contract, by circumstance, by following a parent, by being found as a foundling, or by conquest. The jurists agree that a covenant may be made with the People of the Book and the Magians; the Hanafis and Malikis allow it for all unbelievers except idolaters, while the Shafi'is and Hanbalis in the sounder view do not. The covenant is perpetual, the protected person accepts the rules of Islam in dealings, and the men pay the poll tax. The general rule is that they have what we have and owe what we owe, though it is not applied without exception. They have the protection of the state and safe residence, but may not settle permanently in Mecca and Medina. They may choose their work and deal in property, with exceptions such as wine and pork, and a Muslim may not hire himself out for personal service; their testimony is not accepted against Muslims. They owe the poll tax, the land tax and the tithe on trade, and may not show in Muslim cities what Islam forbids; they are distinguished in dress. The covenant is broken by joining the land of war and by refusing the poll tax in the view of the majority, and by other acts in the views of the schools.