The Values of the Constitution of Medina

‘The Charter of Medina includes the most central values and is, in fact, an illustration of them. [...] Every article it contains is merciful to creation, reaffirms wisdom, calls for justice, or secures the commonweal for all—not only for Muslims but for every citizen therein, regardless of religion or race. It prevents the ills of animosity and bloodshed and safeguards life, property, and freedom—particularly freedom of religion for all peoples.’

These are ten values in dealing with others according to Shaykh Abdallah bin Bayyah:

1. Kindness

2. Honor

3. Cooperation and Solidarity

4. Reconciliation

5. Human Fraternity and Interaction

6. Wisdom

7. Commonweal

8. Being Just with Others

9. Mercy

10. Peace

Context:

After more than a decade since the global ‘War on Terror’ started in 2001, the growing instability in the Middle East gave birth to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). This group controlled large areas of these two neighbour countries between 2014 and 2017. Many crimes were committed in this region and across Europe under the banner of this group. Religious minorities that lived in Iraq and Syria for thousands of years were badly persecuted. The Marrakesh Declaration Conference on the Rights of Religious Minorities in Predominantly Muslim Majority Communities took place under the auspices of the king of Morocco in 2016. This conference tried to offer religious and legal solutions to bring down extreme discourses. It focused on the Constitution of Medina, highlighting its positive features and celebrating its 1,400th anniversary (see clipping ‘Medina Context’). It gathered many Muslim scholars from over 120 countries along with leaders from non-Muslim religious groups. For these Muslim scholars the Constitution of Medina contains the idea of equality and justice along with other ethical values. According to them it could inspire modern constitutions in Islamic majority countries. This clipping is part of the Framework Paper for the Conference delivered by its main promotor, the Shaykh Abdallah bin Bayyah. In his paper this Muslim scholar evoked these ethical values as proof that acceptance of ethnic and religious diversity is intrinsic to Islamic legacy.