The Constitutional Structure of the Constitution of Madīnah in the Prophetic Era: An Analytical Study of the Principles of Citizenship and Interreligious Coexistence

عہدِ نبوی ﷺ میں دستورِ مدینہ کی آئینی ساخت: اصولِ شہریت و بین المذاہب ہمزیستی کا تجزیاتی مطالعہ

Abstract

This study explores the constitutional structure of the Charter of Madinah established by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) during the early Islamic period, focusing on its foundational principles of citizenship and interfaith coexistence. The research aims to analyze how the Charter functioned as the first written constitution ensuring justice, equality, and communal harmony among diverse religious and ethnic groups in Madinah. Drawing upon primary sources such as Hadith, Sirah literature, and early Islamic historiography, the paper examines the Prophet’s (ﷺ) approach to governance, pluralism, and social contract. The study highlights that the Charter of Madinah recognized all inhabitants—Muslims, Jews, and others—as part of a single political community (Ummah Wāḥidah), thus laying the groundwork for a just and inclusive state system. By comparing these principles with modern constitutional concepts of citizenship and minority rights, the research demonstrates the timeless relevance of the Prophetic model for fostering peace, coexistence, and equitable governance in contemporary multicultural societies.