❖ The Islamic State of Madinah and the Refutation of Secular Claims ❖
Certain secular circles frequently assert that the State of Madinah, established by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, was not religious in nature.
Their claim relies heavily on the Mithāq-e-Madinah (Charter of Madinah), arguing that since it involved agreements with people of multiple tribes and faiths, it represented secularism and multiculturalism.
However, this claim is academically unfounded and completely divorced from historical reality.
To suggest that the State of Madinah was secular merely because of the presence and agreement of non-Muslim groups is akin to saying:
“Since Muslims live in the United States and some serve in the military, therefore, America is an Islamic state.”
Such logic is a clear sign of ignorance and intellectual bankruptcy.
To call Madinah a secular state is a blatant distortion of history.
Such a claim ignores the prophetic leadership, the implementation of Shari’ah, and the religious authority embedded within the Madinan state.
If this flawed reasoning were accepted, we would also have to consider modern secular states with Muslim minorities as Islamic states—a patently absurd conclusion.
◈ The Misuse of the Madinan Charter by Secular Narratives
Certain secular circles frequently assert that the State of Madinah, established by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, was not religious in nature.
Their claim relies heavily on the Mithāq-e-Madinah (Charter of Madinah), arguing that since it involved agreements with people of multiple tribes and faiths, it represented secularism and multiculturalism.
However, this claim is academically unfounded and completely divorced from historical reality.
✦ Comparing the Argument to Absurdity
To suggest that the State of Madinah was secular merely because of the presence and agreement of non-Muslim groups is akin to saying:
“Since Muslims live in the United States and some serve in the military, therefore, America is an Islamic state.”
Such logic is a clear sign of ignorance and intellectual bankruptcy.
✔ Ignored Realities: Key Facts That Disprove the Secular Claim
➊ Leadership and Decision-Making Power
- All authority and decision-making resided exclusively with the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
- This leadership was not derived from public consensus, voting, or democratic consultation.
➋ Continuity of Religious Leadership
- After the passing of the Prophet ﷺ, non-Muslims were never involved in the selection of the Caliph.
- No non-Muslim candidate was ever proposed or considered for leadership.
➌ No Executive Posts for Non-Muslims
- No non-Muslim was appointed as governor, judge, or given any key administrative authority in the Islamic state.
➍ Handling of Charter Violations
- When Jewish tribes violated the Charter, the Prophet ﷺ acted decisively, expelling them or taking military action without consulting any legislative assembly.
- These were unilateral executive decisions made under divine authority.
➎ Enforcement of Islamic Laws
- Islamic rulings were fully implemented in Madinah:
- Prohibition of Riba (usury)
- Application of Ḥudūd (prescribed punishments)
- Implementation of punishments such as in the case of Ma‘iz al-Aslamī (رضي الله عنه) for zina
➏ The Real Nature of the Charter
- The Mithāq-e-Madinah was a defensive and administrative pact, formed at a time when the Muslims were militarily vulnerable.
- The purpose was to secure the city collectively—but decisions on war and peace remained under the exclusive control of the Prophet ﷺ.
- Non-Muslim input was not required for key state decisions.
➐ Expansion of the Islamic State and Supremacy of Religion
- The Islamic state continued to expand territorially, enforcing jizyah on non-Muslims in accordance with Qur’anic command.
- In contrast, secular states deliberately remove religion from legislation and governance over time.
➑ Opening Statement of the Charter
- The opening words of the document read:
"هَذَا كِتَابٌ مِنْ مُحَمَّدٍ النَّبِيِّ"
“This is a document from Muhammad, the Prophet of Allah.”
- This phrase alone establishes the Islamic identity of the state.
- It was not a social contract among equals—it was a command issued by the Prophet ﷺ, the leader of an Islamic polity.
Conclusion: A Secular Madinah Is a Historical Fallacy
To call Madinah a secular state is a blatant distortion of history.
Such a claim ignores the prophetic leadership, the implementation of Shari’ah, and the religious authority embedded within the Madinan state.
If this flawed reasoning were accepted, we would also have to consider modern secular states with Muslim minorities as Islamic states—a patently absurd conclusion.
