Yahya - Justice and Tolerance in the Qur'an (2003)

THE PROPHETS HAVE BROUGHT JUSTICE
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This contract remained in force from 622 to 632 AD.
Through this document, tribal structures which had formerly
been based on blood and kinship were abolished, and people
of different cultural, ethnical and geographical backgrounds
came together and formed a social unity. The Constitution of
Medina secured absolute religious freedom. This freedom
was articulated in the following article:
The Jews of Banu 'Awf are a community along with the believers.
To the Jews their religion and to the Muslims their religion. 8
This contract granted the right of membership to Jews,
and the idolator communities as well. Article 16 reads: "The
Jew who follows us is surely entitled to our support and the
same equal rights as any one of us. He shall not be wronged
nor his enemy be assisted." 9 The companions of the Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) also strictly adhered to this mentality
and granted this right to Berbers, Buddhists, Brahmans and
other similar communities.During this period, disputes were
easily resolved, everyone respected other people's beliefs,
and peace and justice prevailed for a long period of time.
The Prophet (pbuh) also made contracts with pagans as
well as the people of the Book. Pagans were always treated
with justice, and when they asked for protection, their
requests were readily accepted by the Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh).
This meant that these communities sought the protection
of the Prophet (pbuh) in the face of an attack or a wrongful
accusation. Throughout his life, many non-Muslims and
pagans requested protection from the Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh), and he took them under his protection and ensured