THE CONSTITUTION OF MEDINA AND THE ORIGINS OF CITIZENSHIP CONCEPT : A CONTEMPORARY REAPPRAISAL
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31436/iiumlj.v34i1.1129Keywords:
Constitution of Medina, ‘Aqabah Pledges, Citizenship, Ummah WāhidahAbstract
Citizenship constitutes a fundamental basis for the stability and sovereignty of the state. Yet, in today’s complex world, its values have increasingly been eroded by the pressures of globalisation, migration, and identity conflicts, with adverse implications for social harmony and political stability. This underlines the importance of revisiting the concept of citizenship from historical and religious perspectives, particularly within an Islamic framework. In Islamic history, the Constitution of Medina stands out as a foundational document that introduced a progressive and inclusive model of citizenship for a plural society. This study seeks to analyse the conception of citizenship articulated in the Constitution of Medina as the basis for state-building in early Islam, encompassing diverse ethnic and religious groups. The research employs a qualitative methodology through library-based inquiry, supported by historical and inductive analysis. Findings suggest that the Constitution was the first written charter in Islam, functioning as a constitutional framework for a sovereign polity. Its vision of citizenship was rooted in the ‘Aqabah pledges and codified after the Prophet’s migration to Medina, serving as a social contract uniting the community under the principle of ummah wāḥidah (a single community). Its foundations included the recognition of the Prophet as head of state, God as the supreme authority, and the definition of civic rights for Muslims, Jews, and polytheists, while also accommodating prevailing Arab traditions. It may be concluded that the Constitution of Medina was not only significant in Islamic political history but remains relevant as a reference point for strengthening modern citizenship amidst the challenges of pluralism, migration, and sovereignty.
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