[THE MADINA CHARTER] UNIT:5

Pre-Reading:

• Look at the mind map below to predict the content of the lesson.

Reading:

                 When Hazrat Muhammad SAW migrated to Medina,this city was inhabited by different sections of people. They were the faithful followers of Hazrat Muhammad SAW who had abandoned the ties of kith and kin and followed him SAW. They were known as Muhajireen or "Refugees".The new converts of Medina who had helped the Rasool SAW through thick and thin were known as Ansar or "Helpers".The other communities living in Medina were the idol worshippers and the Jews.

In order to create harmony and co-operation,the Rasool SAW first abolished the tribal distinction and grouped the inhabitants of Medina under one general name ,Ansar or "Helpers ".He SAW knew that goodwill and support of all the sections of people were necessary for the creation of an Islamic state. He SAW SAW knew that tolerance was necessary when different communities lived together. With these objectives in mind ,the Rasool SAW drafted a charter which is generally known as the Medina charter. 

The main points of the charter are:

All the communities signing the charter would from the common nationality. If any signatory of the charter was attacked by an enemy,others would defined him collectively. The Muslims, the Jews and other communities of this republic should be free to profess their own respective religions and perform religious ceremonies. Individual and personal offences of trivial nature of any non-Muslim would be treated as such and no general liability would fall on the community to which the offenders belonged. The oppressed should be protected. Henceforth,bloodshed,murder and violence should be Haram (abominable)in Medina. All disputes should be referred for decision to Hazrat Muhammad S.A.W the Rasool of Allah. 

The importance of the charter lies in the fact that it announces the great principles of civic equality,freedom of worships and religious and racial tolerance. This principles can also be seen in the perspective of the creation of Pakistan. Our founder,Quaid-e-Azam clearly told his people in 1947,at the time of creation of Pakistan:"you may belong to any religion,caste or creed _ we are all equal citizens of one state".

In 1948,the General Assembly of the United nations unaimously adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights .The Declaration proclaims the religious,personal,civic,political,economic,social and cultural rights of human beings. The incorporation of the clauses of Medina Charter in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the UN shows that Islam is the greatest protector of Human Rights. 

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights :

• This Charter was approved on 10th December,1948 and made public. There are thirty points in all.A few are being mentioned here.
• We are all free and equal .We are all born free.we all have our own thoughts and ideas.we should all be treated in the same way. 
• Don't discriminate. These rights belong to everybody,whatever our differences are.
• We all have the right to live,and to live in freedom and safety.
• Nobody has any right to hurts us or to torture us.We are all protected by the Law.The Law is the same for everybody. It must treat us all fairly. 
• We all have the right to take part in the government of our country. 
• We all have the right to take part in the government of our country. 
• We all have a right to lead a good life. Mothers and children,people who are old,unemployed or disabled,and all other people have the right to be cared for. 
• We have a duty to other people and we should protect their rights and freedoms.