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The Constitution of Medina (دستور المدينة, Dustūr al-Madīna), also known as the Umma Document,[1] is a document dealing with tribal affairs during the Islamic prophet and later Statesman Muhammad's time in Medina[2] and formed the basis of a multi-religious state under his leadership.[3][4][5][6] 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.[7] The Constitution of Medina has striking resemblances with Surah 5 (Al-Ma'idah) of the Quran.[8]
The name "Constitution of Medina" is misleading as the text did not establish a state.[9] The name was coined by modern historians, whereas source texts just describe it as a document (kitāb, ṣaḥīfah).[10] The text was recorded by Ibn Ishaq and Abu 'Ubayd al-Qasim ibn Sallam,[1] though how they encountered the text is unclear.[11][12] Nevertheless, it is widely accepted as authentic.[11] It may have been preserved due to interest in its manner of administration.[13]
- ^ a b Donner 2010, p. 227.
- ^ Rubin 2022, p. 8.
- ^ Firestone 1999, p. 118.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
EoI-Muhammadwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Watt 1956.
- ^ Serjeant 1964, p. 4.
- ^ Cook 2024, p. 69.
- ^ Goudarzi 2024, p. 62–64.
- ^ Arjomand 2022, p. 111.
- ^ Goudarzi 2024, p. 60.
- ^ a b Humphreys 1991, p. 92.
- ^ Watt 1956, p. 221.
- ^ Donner 1998, p. 209.