Charter of Medina: Shining Example of Islam’s Tolerance towards other Religions

Charter of Medina - the first ever written constitution in the history of mankind! 

During the times of the Holy Prophet (PBUH); the Arabian Peninsula was a region where people of different faiths lived in extreme civil unrest. In 622 CE, when the Holy Prophet (PBUH) migrated (Hijra) to Medina; He established the Charter of Medina - the first ever written constitution in the history of mankind! A pioneering, landmark document that, to this day, remains a glorifying example of how pluralism can exist in a society.

The Charter of Medina was drawn up to put an end to the bitter rivalry between different tribal clans of Banu Aws and Banu Khazraj and ensure peaceful co-existence between all groups.

Under the Charter of Medina (also known as Constitution of Medina or Ṣaḥifat al-Madinah); the Muslims, Jews, Christians and polytheistic Arabs in Medina were included as members of the polity, and enjoyed equal responsibilities and rights of protection, security, and justice. In short, the Constitution of Medina laid down the foundation for a multi-religious Islamic state in Medina where all were considered citizens of Medina.

Tolerance and Freedom of Religious Autonomy

Created 1400 years ago; the Charter of Medina guaranteed religious liberty of everyone, regardless of their faith! The Constitution of Medina stated: “And the Jews of Banu ‘Awf shall be considered as one political community along with the believers—for the Jews their religion, and for the Muslims theirs, be one client or patron.”

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) allowed each religion to judge in their own matters, as long as it did not oppose articles of the Constitution. The Holy Quran says, “To you be your religion, to me be mine.” ~ Surah Al-Kafirun 109:6

Charter of Medina guaranteed religious liberty of everyone!

Protection under the Constitution
Under the Medina Charter, people of other faiths were given the same protection as Muslims. Although Muslims had the upper hand; the Holy Prophet (PBUH) strictly warned against any ill-treatment towards people of different faiths and declared: 

“Beware!  Whoever is cruel and hard on a non-Muslim minority, or curtails their rights, or burdens them with more than they can bear, or takes anything from them against their free will; I (Prophet Muhammad) will complain against the person on the Day of Judgment.” (Abu Dawud)

Charter of Medina is a shining example of Islam’s tolerance towards other religions!

 

A Historic Example to follow

Occasionally, Indian Muslims are accused of being Munafiqeen (Hypocrites) by some ill-informed persons. I, myself, have encountered such accusations and criticism on Twitter. Especially after the abrogation of Article 370 on 5^th August, 2019, some have questioned the conscience of Indian Muslims. First of all, it needs to be remembered that there are nearly 200 million Muslims in India who vigorously participate in the polity of this Dar al-Sulh.

Scrapping of Article 370 doesn’t imply that Kashmiris have become second-class citizens. In fact, fundamental rights have now been restored in real sense. The Indian Constitution guarantees Kashmiris equal rights in all aspects. It is true that Muslims in India have to often suffer injustice at the hands of hard-line Hindu organizations, but we are equal citizens in this country and we know how to defend our rights.

People who point fingers at others forget to look at the sorry state of affairs in their own homelands. When Pakistan was founded in 1947, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of the nation, had said in his famous speech on 11th August 1947: “You may belong to any religion or cast or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state...We are starting with this fundamental principle: that we are all citizens, and equal citizens, of one State.”

Ṣaḥifat al-Madinah is an historic example of the tolerance exhibited by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) towards other faiths. Now the question is should an Islamic nation with diverse religious communities’ accord unequal rights to its citizens when the Holy Prophet (PBUH) always encouraged tolerance? Be it Dar al-Islam or Dar al-Sulh; the rules laid down in the Charter of Medina are same!

Medina Charter establishes the idea of common citizenship regardless of religious belief!

Marrakesh Declaration
The Marrakesh Declaration of 2016 which was built upon the Charter of Medina; called upon politicians, decision-makers, and Muslim scholars to take necessary steps for the just treatment of religious minorities in Muslim-majority countries.

During these troubled times when various crises are afflicting humanity; Muslims need to reflect upon and reaffirm the principles of the Charter of Medina that established the idea of common citizenship regardless of religious belief.