Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Practices to Establish a Pluralistic Society: Study of Madīnah Charter in Contemporary Global Context

This study explores the practices of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to establish a peaceful and diverse society with special reference to Methāq-e-Madīnah and its significance and application in contemporary socio-political context. Theoretically, the effort and dream to establish a peaceful and diverse society have been a matter of concern for the humanity from the ancient times. But it has become the most significant and burning issue of the contemporary global scenario. Ultimately, the human intellectual and physical development is based upon peace and peaceful coexistence. Therefore, a number of religious and socio-political scholars have been tried to establish a peaceful and diverse society in different phases of the human history. Practically, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) has made a unique and distinct contribution towards developing a peaceful and diverse society for 1,400 years ago, though he led or had been the part of multiethnic society of different faiths in the state of Madīnah. In order to establish a peaceful and pleasant relationship between Muslims and other communities of Madīnah, an agreement was signed which was titled Methāq-e-Madīnah. The Charter of Madīnah contained certain principles and regulations that are mandatory for a peaceful living in a diverse state or society. This charter is an excellent model for peace, prosperity, religious freedom, and human rights in the human history. According to this charter, all groups were free to exercise their religious beliefs and social and economic interests. According to this agreement, Madīnah was declared a federal capital of the state. This agreement had provided equal rights, religious autonomy, and socio-cultural freedom to all other groups of the Madīnah (Jews, Christians, and polytheists). Therefore, it is perceived that the Charter of Madīnah may become a preamble for peaceful coexistence in this multicultural and multipath world of the contemporary era. In this study, analytical research methodology has been adopted with qualitative approach.