Constitution of Medina

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The Constitution of Medina was a foundational 7th-century charter that organized the first Muslim community in Medina into a unified political and social entity, outlining rights, duties, and interfaith relations among its diverse tribes.

Aliases (1)

Statements (50)
Predicate Object
instanceOf Islamic legal source
historical document
legal document
political charter
social contract
alsoKnownAs Charter of Medina
Sahifat al-Madina
author Muhammad
century 7th century
containsApproximateArticles 47
date 622
defines ummah as a single community of believers
draftedBy Muhammad
establishes Muhammad as final arbiter in disputes
collective responsibility for maintaining peace in Medina
mutual defense pact among signatory groups
principles of justice and arbitration
prohibition of aiding enemies of the community
religious freedom for Jewish tribes within the political community
shared responsibility for war expenses
historicalSignificance foundation of the first Islamic polity
one of the earliest written constitutions in history
influenced Islamic political thought
early Islamic governance
language Arabic
mentionsGroup Ansar
Jewish tribes of Medina
Muhajirun
mentionsTribe Banu Aws
Banu Khazraj
name Constitution of Medina
placeOfOrigin Medina
Yathrib
politicalSystemType tribal confederation under prophetic leadership
presentDayLocation Saudi Arabia
purpose to define rights and duties of Muslims and non-Muslims in Medina
to establish a unified political community (ummah)
to organize the first Muslim community in Medina
to regulate relations among diverse tribes in Medina
regulates blood-money and ransom practices
collective defense obligations
inter-tribal alliances and obligations
relations between Muslim emigrants from Mecca and helpers of Medina
relations between Muslims and Jewish tribes in Medina
religiousContext Islam
subjectMatter interfaith relations
justice and dispute resolution
rights and duties of community members
security and defense
tribal responsibilities and alliances

Referenced by (6)

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