The Constitution of Madinah (Sahifah)
صحيفة المدينة
Summary
The Prophet (peace be upon him) established a constitutional document (as-Sahifah) that organised the political and social relationships between the Muhajirun, Ansar, and the Jewish tribes of Madinah into a single community (ummah) with defined rights and responsibilities.
Details
The document established mutual defence obligations, defined the rights of each group, and established the Prophet as the final arbiter of disputes. It recognised the Jews as part of the wider community while preserving their religious autonomy. Key provisions included: mutual defence against external enemies, prohibition of sheltering criminals, freedom of religion for the Jewish tribes, and the stipulation that any dispute would be referred to Allah and His Messenger. This is one of the earliest known constitutional documents in political history.