The PROPHET MUHAMMAD by Maulana Waiduddin Khan - page 17

The Prophet Muhammad A simple Guide to his Life
The Life of the Prophet
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After some time, there was no further need for this
fraternity. Since the Muhajirs did not feel
comfortable in becoming a burden on others, they
engaged themselves in different activities. Some
took to farming, others to trade and yet others chose
to labour in the fields owned by the Ansar. In this
way after a very short period of time, everyone was
able to stand on his own feet.
Madinah was also inhabited by some idolaters and
Jews, who were in a minority. The Prophet decided
that some form of law should be established so that
there would be no misunderstanding or hostility of
any sort, in the future between them and the
Muslims. To solve this problem the Prophet of
Islam issued a charter commonly known as the
covenant of Madinah. Since the Muslims were in
the majority, the Prophet’s position became that of a
leader, or a head of state. In this capacity he
declared in this charter that all the inhabitants of
Madinah would enjoy equal rights. Everyone
would be free to follow the religion and culture of
his or her choice: the affairs of the Muslims would
be decided according to the Shariah, while the
affairs of the Jews and idolaters would be decided
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