What is ‘Riyasat-e-Madina? Pakistan army chief Asim Munir talking about this, Imran Khan also an advocate, its related to Prophet Muhammad due to…
Pakistan is a highly-conservative and religion-driven state, and its politicians and leaders have often used Islam as a tool to mobilize support and propagate their own agenda. In a similar instance, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir recently talked about creating a “new Pakistan” along the lines of ‘Riyasat-e-Madina’, the first Islamic state established by Prophet Muhammad in Medina.
Pakistan must run on Sahifa Madina
Speaking at the first Overseas Pakistanis Convention on April 15 in Islamabad, the Army chief asserted that Pakistan is the only nation established on the basis of the Kalima, and must be run according to the principles laid down by the Prophet in the Sahifa Madina (the Constitution of Medina).
Notably, Pakistan’s jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan is also an advocate of ‘Riyasat-e-Madina’, and in 2022, had talked about establishing a new Pakistan based on the the principles of the first Islamic state founded by Prophet Muhammed in Medina during the early years of Islam.
What is ‘Riyasat-e-Madina’?
The Riyasat-e-Madina or the State of Medina, was founded by Prophet Muhammed in 622 AD in Islam’s holy city of Medina, and is seen by many Islamic scholars as the perfect model of an ideal Islamic society, based on the principles of unity, justice, and welfare of its citizens. The state of Medina is run under the guidelines laid down in the Sahifa of Medina or the Constitution of Medina, which is said to have been drafted by the Prophet himself.
The Sahifa outlines the duties and rights of citizens belonging to different communities and religions, including Muslims, Jews, and other ethnic and religious groups, and seeks to united them under a common constitutional framework of governance, laws, and social interaction.
Under Riyasat-e-Madina, certain inalienable rights and access to free and fair justice, is ensured to every citizen, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, or other distinctions, promoting an atmosphere of religious harmony among Muslims, Jews, Christians and others, all of whom are free to practice their respective religions as per their own scriptures and practices.
It also mandates a set of duties for citizens, and includes a mandatory system of charity, a type of tax, which would be used to take care of the poor and the needy. Additionally, the Sahifa Medina advocates a strong administrative and policing structure to maintain peace and justice in the state.
What critics say?
While the Riyasat-e-Madina sounds a lot like a less-refined version of any modern constitution, critics question its practicality in a modern, diverse, democratic, and rights-based society of the 21st century. They claim that while the model might have been appropriate for the 7th century Arabian society, it poses a threat to the liberties enjoyed by women, minorities, and other groups in a modern society.
Critics also argue that the concept is bound to create hurdles in policy making and democratic debate, because its primarily based on religious interpretations.
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