- It established the rule of law in the country. One law was applied to all, irrespective of
caste, creed, color or race, and even Muhammed himself was not excluded. And interfe-
rence with law in any form was strictly forbidden. Muslims and Jews and others were
treated in the same manner before the law and no distinction was made in such matters. - Another revolutionary step was the establishment of one community (Ummah) out of the
heterogeneous nature and structure of the multiracial society. The Muslims, the Jews and
their allies were knit together into one community with one authority and one law for all as
against the rest of the world. Thus the idea of oneness infused a spirit of unity and solidarity
among the peoples of Medinah and made them one solid cemented structure against their
enemies. - It also established Muhammed as commander of the allied forces in case of war.
- It gave everybody equality and freedom of action and joined them together in the ties of
human brotherhood. Thus it brought them all onto an equal level: the Ansaar and the Mu-
haajirun, the Jews and their allies and helpers were now politically and culturally equal. - It also made the matter of war and peace the exclusive concern of the central authority
of Medinah. In other words, Muhammed was given the absolute right and power to declare
war against, or make peace with, any tribe or power. The Jews and others had no right or
power to independently declare war against, or make peace with, any outside power. - Military service was made compulsory and every citizen was required to take part in it.
- It also made it obligatory for all Muslims and Jews to help one another in war and peace
as well as in adversity and plenty. - In all judicial matters, the decision of the Prophet (r) was final.
- The right of seeking revenge was transferred from individuals to the central authority.
The individual could no longer take the law into his own hands, and had to go to the central
authority. - It clearly forbade all participants in this document to give any kind of help or protection
to the Quraysh of Makkah. The Jews did not honor this clause of the document.
axel boer
(Axel Boer)
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