Shortly after the Hijrah (the migration of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers to Medina), the Prophet drafted what has become known as the Medina Contract. It constituted a formal agreement between the Muslims, Jews and pagans residing in Medina at the time and is ostensibly hailed as the blueprint for the model Islamic society.
At a time of increasing hostility among various tribes, religions and nations, this constitution stands as a testimony to the beauty of the Islamic message, for it instituted a peaceful means of redress among the diverse cultural and religious groups in the fledgling state.
Contrasted with the intolerance of modern European assimilationists and their fears of ‘cultural’ erosion, the Medina constitution positively encouraged diversity.
There were no edicts or laws forcing people to assimilate into one religion, language, or culture. Jews and pagans could maintain their traditions, their dress codes and religion all under the protection of the benevolent Islamic state.
Non-Muslims who readily agreed to the terms of the Medina constitution were granted security (dhimma) which in turn ensured equal political and cultural rights, as well as autonomy and freedom of religion. They were not obliged to take part in the wars that the enemies of Islam visited upon the Muslim ummah, but nevertheless benefited from the expansion of the Islamic community.
The European predilection for assimilation perhaps speaks more of the inherent weaknesses in their so-called culture than many will admit. As Mahatma Gandhi once wrote: “I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all the lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any.”
For those interested in reading the full text of the Medina Contract, a PDF version is available online at the following link: tinyurl.com/3572cx3
Liam Egan is South East branch manager with MPACIE (Muslim Public Affairs Council Ireland)
