Jonah Patel
The first Islamic Constitution was the Constitution of Medina, formed in 622 CE by the Islamic prophet Muhammad. This document established the political unity of the Muslim nation, or Ummah, and formed the basis of the First Islamic State. The Constitution of Medina is notable for its religious pluralism and inclusion of non-Muslims, as well as its portrayal of the Quraysh as enemies of God. It dealt with tribal affairs, including vengeance, blood money, ransom, alliance, and clientage. The Constitution of Medina has been highly influential among contemporary Muslims and is celebrated for its unique character and the belief that God is its ultimate source.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Constitution of Medina |
| Date | 622 CE |
| Location | Medina |
| Creator | Islamic prophet Muhammad |
| Purpose | To establish a "kind of alliance or federation" of the eight Medinan tribes and Muslims |
| Influence | Highly influential among contemporary Muslims, celebrated for its religious pluralism and unique character |
| Modern Islamic Republics | Iran, Pakistan, Mauritania, The Gambia |
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What You'll Learn
The Constitution of Medina
The Constitution has been highly influential among contemporary Muslims and is celebrated for its religious pluralism and unique character. It is believed to be the first "Constitution" with God as its ultimate source. However, historians have also characterized it as a municipal charter or a unilateral proclamation by Muhammad, whose purpose was purely practical and administrative. There is skepticism among some historians regarding certain aspects of the Constitution, including the identity of participants, the quantity of documents, the timing of its creation, and the appropriate approach to its translation.
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Muhammad's role in Medina
The Islamic prophet Muhammad played a significant role in Medina, which laid the foundation for the First Islamic State. In 622, Muhammad migrated to Medina, also known as Yathrib, from Mecca, his birthplace, along with his followers. This migration, known as Hijrah, became crucial for the survival of Muhammad and his followers, as they were granted religious freedom in Medina.
Before Muhammad's arrival in Medina, the city had witnessed conflicts between its Arab and Jewish tribes for a long period. A delegation from Medina, consisting of representatives from its twelve important clans, invited Muhammad to be the chief arbitrator for the entire community. They pledged to accept him into their community and protect him. This delegation and the subsequent acceptance of Muhammad as the leader of Medina is significant, as it marked the beginning of his prominent role in the city and the establishment of the First Islamic State.
After arriving in Medina, Muhammad continued to receive divine revelations and spread the message of Islam. He built a community around this new faith, which led to the unification of Medina's tribes and his followers, known as the muhajirun. This coalition, established under the Constitution of Medina, formed the basis of the First Islamic State, with Muhammad as its leader. The Constitution of Medina, recorded by Ibn Ishaq and Abu 'Ubayd al-Qasim ibn Sallam, addressed tribal affairs and institutions, such as vengeance, blood money, ransom, alliance, and clientage. It is celebrated for its religious pluralism and belief in God as its ultimate source.
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Religious pluralism
The first Islamic constitution was the Constitution of Medina, formed under the leadership of the Islamic prophet Muhammad in 622 CE. This constitution established the political unity of the Muslim Ummah (nation) and formed the basis of the First Islamic State, a multi-religious polity under Muhammad's leadership. The Constitution of Medina is celebrated for its religious pluralism, including non-Muslims and portraying the Quraysh as enemies of God, a view inconsistent with later Islamic periods.
The Constitution of Medina dealt with tribal affairs and mentioned many tribal groups, such as the Banu Najjar and Quraysh, as well as tribal institutions like vengeance, blood money, ransom, alliance, and clientage. It established a kind of alliance or federation among the eight Medinan tribes and Muslims, with Muhammad assuming a leading role in the community of Medina. The constitution also outlined the responsibilities of different groups, such as the emigrants from the Quraish and the Banu 'Awf, in areas such as blood money and the release of prisoners.
The Constitution of Medina has been highly influential among contemporary Muslims and is considered the first "Constitution," with the belief that God is its ultimate source. However, historians have also characterised it as a municipal charter" or a "unilateral proclamation" by Muhammad, serving a practical and administrative purpose rather than a modern treaty. The authenticity of the Constitution of Medina has been widely accepted, based on factors such as its inclusion of non-Muslims, its archaic style, and its inclination towards tribal law.
The concept of an Islamic state has evolved over time, with various forms of government emerging, including Islamic republics, Islamic monarchies, and caliphates. Islamic republics, such as Iran, Pakistan, and Mauritania, have incorporated Islamic law into their legal systems and declared Islam as their state religion. Islamic monarchies, like Saudi Arabia and Brunei, also recognise Islam as their official religion and govern based on Islamic law (Sharia).
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The First Islamic State
The Constitution of Medina has been highly influential among contemporary Muslims due to its religious pluralism and belief that God is its ultimate source. Historians have characterized it differently, with some considering it a "municipal charter" or a "unilateral proclamation" by Muhammad rather than a formal treaty. The authenticity of the Constitution of Medina has been widely accepted, based on its inclusion of non-Muslims and its portrayal of the Quraysh as enemies of God, among other factors.
Muhammad's constitution in Medina marked the beginning of the political unity of the Muslim Ummah (nation). After Muhammad, his disciples, known as the Rightly Guided (Rashidun) Caliphs, transformed the First Islamic State into a caliphate, which significantly expanded under the Umayyad Caliphate (661-750 CE) and the Abbasid Caliphate (750-1258 CE).
Over time, various Muslim-majority countries have incorporated Islamic law into their legal systems and declared Islam as their state religion. Islamic states that are not monarchies are often referred to as Islamic republics, such as Pakistan, Iran, and Mauritania. These countries have adopted the adjective "Islamic" to modify their republican status, indicating a governmental system based on Islamic law (Sharia) enforced by Islamic jurists.
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Islamic Republics
The term "Islamic republic" has been used in different ways. Some Muslim religious leaders have used it to refer to a form of Islamic theocratic government enforcing sharia law, or laws compatible with sharia. The term has also been used for a sovereign state taking a compromise position between a purely Islamic caliphate and a secular, nationalist republic.
The term is currently used in the official title of three states: the Islamic Republics of Iran, Pakistan, and Mauritania. Pakistan first adopted the title under the constitution of 1956, before Islam was declared the state religion in 1973. Mauritania adopted it on 28 November 1958, and the country was declared an independent state as the Islamic Republic of Mauritania on 28 November 1960. Iran adopted the title following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which overthrew the Pahlavi dynasty. Despite having similar names, these countries differ greatly in their governments and laws.
The Islamic Republic of Iran is a system based on the following beliefs: the One God, His exclusive sovereignty and right to legislate, and the necessity of submission to His commands; divine revelation and its fundamental role in setting forth the laws; the return to God in the Hereafter, and the constructive role of this belief in the course of man's ascent towards God; and continuous leadership and perpetual guidance, and its fundamental role in ensuring the uninterrupted process of the revolution of Islam.
In December 2015, the then-president Yahya Jammeh declared The Gambia to be an Islamic republic. Jammeh stated that the move was designed to distance the West African state from its colonial past and that citizens of other faiths would be allowed to practice freely. However, he later ordered all female government employees to wear headscarves, before rescinding the decision shortly after.
The first Islamic state was the political entity established by Muhammad in Medina in 622 CE under the Constitution of Medina. It represented the political unity of the Muslim Ummah (nation) and was formed of a multi-religious polity under Muhammad's leadership.
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Frequently asked questions
The first Islamic constitution was the Constitution of Medina, which was established by the Islamic prophet Muhammad in 622 CE.
The Constitution of Medina was a document dealing with tribal affairs during Muhammad's time in Medina. It formed the basis of the First Islamic State, a multi-religious polity under his leadership.
The Constitution of Medina included mentions of many tribal groups, including the Banu Najjar and Quraysh, as well as tribal institutions like vengeance, blood money, ransom, alliance, and clientage.
The Constitution of Medina has been highly influential among contemporary Muslims and is celebrated for its religious pluralism and unique character. It also gave Muhammad a leading role in the community of Medina and justified his subsequent attacks on the Jews.
