The Covenant of Madīnah

The third project the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) started when he arrived at Madīnah was what is called al-Wathīqah, the covenant, the document. This was a document that was written to govern the relationship between the different communities in Madīnah. It is narrated by Ibn Isḥāq: the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) wrote a contract between the immigrants and the helpers in which he expressed conciliation. These are the words of Ibn Isḥāq, starting with the terms of the agreement itself. It says:

In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Beneficent. This is a document from Muḥammad, the unlettered prophet, between the believers and Muslims of Quraysh and Yathrib and their followers, allies and supporters, establishing that they are one nation apart from all others. The immigrants from Quraysh will maintain their current practice and will honour blood-money contracts between themselves and will treat their weaker members with kindness and justice. The Banū ʿAwf shall maintain their current practice and honour their former blood-money contracts, each party treating their weaker members with kindness and justice among all believers.

Reference was then made to each clan of the helpers and to the families of each home, mentioning the Banū Saʿd, the Banū Dushum, the Banū al-Najjār, the Banū ʿAmr, the Banū ʿAwf, and the Banū al-Nabīt. The document goes on to say: the believers shall not leave anyone among them burdened by debts without giving to him in kindness, and paying for him any ransom money or blood money he owes. A believer will not ally with any freed man of a second believer against that man. Pious believers act against any of their own who practise evil or seek to bring harm, sin, aggression or corruption among believers; believers will unite against anyone doing this, even if he be one of their own sons. No believer shall kill any believer for any non-believer, nor shall he help any non-believer against a believer.

Allah's protection is all one; the least of them can offer protection to others. Believers are allies to one another, excluding others — meaning they are a nation apart from everyone else. Whatever Jews follow us shall receive help and equality: they shall not be maltreated, nor will help be afforded others against them. Peace for all believers is one: no peace shall be accepted for any one believer to the exclusion of others when the battle is for Allah's cause. Among them, equality and justice must prevail. In every expedition undertaken, riders shall take turns on their mounts. Believers shall avenge one another for bloodshed in Allah's cause; believers who are pious are well guided on the straightest of paths. No polytheist shall be allowed to offer protection for the property or persons of Quraysh, nor try to interfere with any believer. Anyone who has clearly aggressed against and caused the death of any believer shall be subject to retaliation for him, unless the dead man's executor can be satisfied; believers as a whole shall take action against him, and no excuse for their not doing so will be acceptable.

It shall not be permissible for any believer who has accepted what is in this document, and who believes in Allah and the Day of Judgment, to give help or shelter to any wrongdoer. Any believer who does this shall be the object of Allah's curses and anger on the Day of Judgment, and neither compensation nor excuse will be acceptable from him. Any matter in which there is disagreement must be referred to Allah, Almighty and Glorious is He, and to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).

The Jews shall pay expenses along with the Muslims so long as they are allied in warfare. The Jews of Banū ʿAwf are one nation with the believers — the Jews shall have their religion, and the Muslims theirs — this applies to their freedmen and to themselves, except for those who commit wrong and injustice: such persons harm only themselves and their families. What applies to Banū ʿAwf shall also apply to the Jews of Banū al-Najjār, Banū al-Ḥārith, Banū Sāʿidah, Banū Jusham, Banū al-Aws, Banū Thaʿlabah, and Jafnah and Banū al-Shuṭaybah. The close associates of the Jews shall be viewed as themselves. None of them shall go to war without Muḥammad's permission; however, he is not thereby prevented from taking revenge for an injury. Whoever attacks another may do so to protect himself and his family, but must not act unjustly, for Allah condemns such acts. The Jews shall bear their own expenses, the Muslims theirs; each must help the other against any who fight those who adopt this document. They must give one another advice and consultation, and do good and avoid evil. A man is not held blameworthy on behalf of his ally; help must be given to those wronged. The centre of Yathrib shall be a sanctuary for those who agree to this document.

One's neighbour shall be treated as oneself, without being harmed or sinned against. No property shall be encroached upon without the permission of its owner. In the case of any dispute or incident occurring between those agreeing to this document, involving consequences likely to be harmful, the matter must be referred to Allah and to Muḥammad, the Messenger of Allah. Allah acknowledges what is very good and very pious in this document. Those who commit wrong, and those who help them, shall receive no protection. Those accepting this document must help one another against anyone attacking Yathrib. If they are called upon to make peace and they make it and keep to it, they will be making true peace; if a similar demand is made of the Muslims, it is up to them to agree, except where the warfare is over the faith. Each participant shall receive whatever portion is due to him from his own side's spoils.

This document will not provide protection for anyone sinful or unjust. Whoever goes to war will be safe, and whoever stays in the town will be safe, except for those who have sinned or been unjust. Allah provides protection for those who are good and pious.

This was the document the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) wrote to govern the relations between the communities of Madīnah.