Establishment of the Islamic State

After the Hijrah, Madinah (Yathrib) was a complex society. There were three main groups: the Muslims (Muhajirun and Ansar), the Jewish tribes (Banu Qaynuqa, Banu Nadir, Banu Qurayza), and the Idolaters who had not yet accepted Islam. The city had been torn apart by decades of civil war between the tribes of Aws and Khazraj. A strong central leadership was urgently needed to bring order and unity.

The first act of the Prophet ﷺ was to build the Mosque. It was not just a place of prayer, but the Parliament of the State.

• It was the center for education (Suffah).
• It served as a court for justice.
• All major state decisions and consultations (Shura) took place here.

To solve the economic crisis of the refugees (Muhajirun), the Prophet ﷺ established a unique bond of Brotherhood. He paired one Muhajir with one Ansar. The Ansar shared their wealth, houses, and businesses with their Muhajir brothers. This eliminated poverty without state taxation and created a bond stronger than blood.

The Prophet ﷺ drafted the Mithaq-ul-Madinah, the first written constitution in human history. It laid down the rules for a pluralistic society:

• Muslims and Jews would form one political nation (Ummah).
• Complete religious freedom for Jews.
• Joint defense of Madinah against external aggression.
• The Prophet ﷺ would be the final authority in disputes.

The Islamic State was built on absolute justice. The law applied equally to the rich and the poor, the Arab and the non-Arab. Tribal bias was abolished.

The Prophet ﷺ established a marketplace (Souq) free from taxes and monopoly. He prohibited Riba (Interest/Usury) which exploited the poor. The system of Zakat and Sadaqah ensured that wealth circulated in society and did not remain only in the hands of the rich.

Security was paramount. The Prophet ﷺ sent patrolling parties to secure the trade routes and borders. He made peace treaties with neighboring tribes to create a buffer zone around Madinah. Defense was a collective responsibility of all citizens.

A raised platform in the Mosque, known as Suffah, became the first residential university of Islam. Here, companions dedicated their lives to learning the Quran and wisdom from the Prophet ﷺ. Education was not just about literacy, but about character building (Tazkiyah).

The Prophet ﷺ was not a king who sat on a throne. He sat among his people on the floor. He consulted his companions (Shura) in worldly matters. He was the most humble leader, accessible to every man, woman, and child.

The state of Madinah was successful because it was based on four pillars:

• Adl: Absolute Justice.
• Shura: Mutual Consultation.
• Equality: No superiority based on race or lineage.
• Taqwa: Awareness that Allah is watching.