The Role of Non-Muslims in the Formation of the Muslim State during the Prophetic (PBUH) Era

Abstract

In Muslim countries, non-Muslims had a respectable legal and cultural standing. Non-Muslims were given the ability to practice their religion, autonomy in internal communal matters, commercial activity, and political safety or protection in exchange for paying a specific fee and accepting Muslim authority and social domination. During the Prophetic Era (622–632 CE), when the first Islamic government was established under the guidance of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), this study examines the crucial role that non-Muslims had in the founding and early growth of the Muslim state. Contrary to the perception that the nascent Muslim state was solely the product of the Muslim community, this study emphasizes the significant contributions of Jewish, Christian, and polytheist communities to the socio-political and economic structures of the state. In this historical, comparative and analytical investigation, the qualitative method is empirically and systematically used. A comprehensive review has been conducted of the published, reliable data and literature, which includes Quraan Pak, Sahee Muslim and Sahee Bukhari, religious scholarly books, Religious research papers, encyclopedias and dissertations related to selected theme. Through an analysis of key historical events, including the constitution of Medina, interfaith treaties, and diplomatic exchanges, this research paper argues that non-Muslims were integral to the formation of Islamic governance, administration, and military efforts of the early Islamic state. After thoroughly investigation, the research also highlights the principles of justice, coexistence, and mutual respect that governed the relationships between Muslims and non-Muslims, particularly within the context of religious tolerance and legal frameworks. Furthermore, the study answered the question of how the inclusion of non-Muslims helped to foster sense of social cohesion and political stability during the formative years of the Muslim community in Mecca and Madinah. By situating the early Islamic state within pluralistic framework, this research paper also contributes to deeper understanding of the inclusive nature of early Islamic governance system and the collaborative dynamics between Muslim and non-Muslim communities in the Prophetic Muhammad (PBUH) Era.