Page 38 - Justice and Compassion in the Qur'an

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JUSTICE AND COMPASSION IN THE QUR'AN

According to the Constitution of Medina, everyone was
free to adhere to any belief or religion or to make any political
or philosophical choice. People sharing the same views could
come together and form a community. Everyone was free to
exercise his own justice system. However, anyone who
committed a crime would be protected by no-one. The parties
to the contract would co-operate and provide support for each
other, and remain under the protection of the Prophet
Muhammad (saas). Conflicts between the parties would be
brought to the Messenger of Allah.
This contract remained in force from 622 to 632 AD.
Through this document, tribal structures which had formerly
been based on blood and kinship were abolished, and people
of different cultural, ethnical and geographical backgrounds
came together and formed a social unity. The Constitution of
Medina secured absolute religious freedom. This freedom was
articulated in the following article:

The Jews of Banu ‘Awf are a community along with the believers.
To the Jews their religion and to the Muslims their religion. 8
This contract granted the right of membership to Jews and
the idolater communities as well. Article 16 reads: "The Jew
who follows us is surely entitled to our support and the same
equal rights as any one of us. He shall not be wronged nor his
enemy be assisted." The companions of the Prophet
9
Muhammad (saas) also strictly adhered to this mentality and
granted this right to Berbers, Buddhists, Brahmans and other
similar communities. During this period, disputes were easily
resolved, everyone respected other people's beliefs, and peace
and justice prevailed for a long period of time.