Constitution of Medina
| ميثاق المدينة (Mithaq al-Madina) | |
|---|---|
| Type | Constitution, Agreement, Social contract |
| Signed | 622 CE |
| Signatories | Various tribes and groups in Medina |
| Parties | Supreme Leader / Author: Muhammad Muslims of Medina: Muhajirun (migrants from Mecca) Ansar (helpers from Medina) Jewish tribes of Medina: Banu Qaynuqa Banu Nadir Banu Qurayza Pagan Arabs of Medina Various polytheistic tribes |
| Language | Arabic |
| Part of a series on |
| Muhammad |
|---|
The Constitution of Medina (Arabic: وثيقة المدينة, romanized: Waṯīqat al-Madīna; or صحیفة المدينة, Ṣaḥīfat al-Madīna; also known as the Umma Document), is a document dealing with tribal affairs during the Islamic prophet Muhammad's time in Medina and formed the basis of the First Islamic State, a multi-religious polity under his leadership. Many tribal groups are mentioned, including the Banu Najjar and Quraysh, as well as many tribal institutions, like vengeance, blood money, ransom, alliance, and clientage. The Constitution of Medina has striking resemblances with Surah 5 (Al-Ma'idah) of the Quran.
The name "Constitution of Medina" is misleading as the text did not establish a state. The name was coined by modern historians, whereas source texts just describe it as a document (kitāb, ṣaḥīfah). The text was recorded by Ibn Ishaq and Abu 'Ubayd al-Qasim ibn Sallam, though how they encountered the text is unclear. Nevertheless, it is widely accepted as authentic. It may have been preserved due to interest in its manner of administration.