Dhimma is an Arabic word that means "protection" or "covenant". In Islamic law, it refers to the protected status granted to non-Muslims living under Muslim rule. The word "dhimma" can also be translated to English as "covenant of protection", "protected persons" or "protected subjects". Some synonyms for "dhimma" include "amana" which means trust, "ahd" which means covenant, "himaya" which means protection, "muwaththa" which means guardianship, and "hifz" which means preservation. Each of these words carries a similar meaning to "dhimma" and are used interchangeably in Islamic texts. The use of "dhimma" emphasizes the importance of protecting non-Muslim minorities living under Islamic rule and upholding justice and fairness towards them.