A Model of Interfaith Relations in Islam: Con...

A Model of Interfaith Relations in Islam: Constitution of Medina

Author Name : M. S. Ravi Teja

ABSTRACT

Islam originated and developed in pluralistic societies such as Mecca and Medina. From the beginning, Islam encountered other religions such as Christianity, Judaism, Paganism and others. To address the issues of pluralistic society, Muhammad made many pacts with non-Muslims to regulate Muslims attitude towards non-Muslims. One of the noteworthy of them is Constitution of Media. In the Constitution, Muhammad included Muslims and non-Muslims in the Umma, granted them religious freedom. Both Muslims and non-Muslims of Medina were granted equal status and enjoyed rights and privileges without any discrimination on religious ground. And surprisingly there was no restrictions were imposed on non-Muslim subjects which make the Constitution of Medina an exemplary module of interfaith relations in today’s pluralistic nature of the world.

Key Words: Constitution of Medina, Interfaith relations, Inter-religious Conflicts, Islam, Prophet Muhammad.