The First Written Constitution of the World

The text of the Constitution was available in early Muslim sources, primarily in the Al-Sīrah Al-Nabawiyyah of Ibn Ishaq (early 8th century CE), a recension that Ibn Hisham later refined. Other sources for the Constitution include those of Sayyid al-Nas and the Kitab al-Amwal of Abu ʿUbayd al-Qasim ibn Sallam. The Constitution of Medina is considered a significant document for several reasons:

It established the concept of multireligious citizens as one nation residing in a defined territory, uniting Muslim immigrants from Mecca and various tribes from Medina, including Jews.

It outlined the rights and duties of all citizens and regulated the relationship between Muslims and the Jewish community in Medina.

It recognized the right to dissent, the foundation of consultative democracy, when four of the clans initially refused to sign it.

It is regarded as a model for peaceful coexistence and interfaith relations, ensuring religious freedom and equal treatment for all community members. 

The Constitution of Medina is widely accepted as authentic by many historians, both Muslim and non-Muslim, even though its method of preservation doesn't strictly adhere to the traditional Islamic system of hadith transmission (which requires a chain of narrators. However, its content, including its portrayal of the Quraysh as enemies of God and its inclusion of non-Muslims, lends support to its authenticity, according to some scholars.

Dr. Muhammad Hamidullah studied it minutely and disseminated it publicly. He famously declared it to be the "first written constitution in the world." He undertook the pioneering work of researching, analyzing, and translating this document, making it accessible to a broader scholarly audience and emphasizing its importance in Islamic law and international relations. 

His seminal work on this topic, titled The First Written Constitution in the World, was published in 1938. Through his efforts, he brought the significance of the Constitution of Medina to the forefront of academic and public discourse, particularly in the mid-20th century.

Here's a more detailed look at Dr. Hamidullah's perspective on the

First Written Constitution:

Dr. Hamidullah argued that the Constitution of Medina, a document outlining the relationship between the Muslim community and other groups in Medina after Muhammad's arrival, was the first written Constitution in history. 

Dr. Hameedullah presented the document systematically, making it accessible to a broader audience.

His translation and commentary on the Constitution of Medina helped to illuminate its principles and context.

Dr. Hamidullah emphasized that the Constitution established principles of brotherhood, equality, and freedom of action within the nascent Muslim state. 

Key Aspects of the Constitution of Medina include Multireligious Community, Shared Defense, Freedom of Religion, Mutual Aid and Cooperation, Collective Responsibility, and the state's responsibility to guarantee the dignity and financial well-being of its citizens.

In essence, Dr. Hamidullah's work on the Constitution of Medina provided a crucial lens through which to understand the early development of Islamic political thought and the establishment of a multireligious society in Medina. 

Though scholars debate details of its transmission, the Constitution of Medina remains a cornerstone in Islamic history—an early model of governance that emphasized justice, cooperation, and peaceful coexistence among diverse communities. When the Prophet arrived in Medina, the city's population consisted of two main groups:

• The Ansar (helpers): Local tribes, primarily Banu Aws and Banu Khazraj, who had embraced Islam and pledged their support.

• The Jews: Three main tribes—Banu Qaynuqa, Banu Nadir, and Banu Qurayza—living as allied groups within the city.

• The Muhajirun (emigrants): Muslims who had migrated from Makkah to Medina.

• There were some pagan tribes.

Although the Muslims found refuge in Medina, the Quraysh of Makkah did not relent. They sent raiding parties to disturb the peace, once even attempting to seize camels from Medina's pastures. In response, the Prophet organized small Muslim patrols to guard Medina. This Constitution ensured Medina's safety from sudden attacks and strengthened the city's security.