(E-1:) PROTECTION OF RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN THE PROPHETIC STATE: LESSONS FROM THE SEERAH OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (PBUH)

Abstract

The right of religious minorities is a critical part of justice and social peace in heterogeneous societies. The Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) provides a close framework in upholding the rights, safety and dignity of the religious minorities in an Islamic state. This paper will discuss the virtues and customs that the Prophet (PBUH) used to protect the rights of non-Muslims in the early Islamic state of Madinah. The study examines the legal, social, and ethical basis of minority protection within the Prophetic model of governance by using qualitative analysis of primary Islamic literature such as the Quran, the Hadith literature, as well as classical Seerah texts. Special emphasis is made on the Constitution of Madinah, the treaties with Jewish and Christian people, and illustrations of justice and tolerance that were shown by the Prophet (PBUH). The results show that the Prophetic state created a model of coexistence founded on the religious freedom, legal protection and the mutual responsibility of the various religious groups. The paper concludes that the leadership of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) offers an important historical illustration of pluralistic leadership and ethical leadership. These values are quite applicable even to the modern societies that aim to advance the ideals of religious tolerance, peaceful co-existence, and safeguarding the rights of minorities in multicultural settings.