Exposing Islam

The Standard Islamic Perspective: The Medina Model — Religion as State Power

Introduction: The Medina Model — Religion and State as One

Islamic political movements today often emphasize the model of governance established by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Medina. This model is not merely a historical precedent but a foundational concept in Islamic political thought. According to the standard Islamic narrative, the Medina model represents the ideal Islamic state, where religion and state are inseparable, and where Islamic law (Shariah) is the supreme source of governance.

From the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt to the Islamic Republic of Iran, from the Taliban in Afghanistan to Islamist movements in Nigeria, the Medina model serves as a blueprint for Islamic governance. But what is this model, and why does it remain influential in modern Islamic politics?

1. What Was the Medina Model?

A. The Founding of the Medina State

The Medina model refers to the political, social, and legal system established by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ after his migration (Hijrah) from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. This event marked the beginning of the Islamic calendar and the transformation of Islam from a persecuted faith to a political state.

The Constitution of Medina (Sahifah of Medina): The first written constitution in the Islamic world, which established a multi-religious state under the leadership of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Religious and Political Authority Combined: Muhammad ﷺ served as both a spiritual leader and a political ruler, wielding authority over all aspects of life — spiritual, legal, military, and social.
A Unified Ummah: The Constitution defined the Muslim community (Ummah) as a single, unified body, where Muslims were bound by loyalty to Allah and His Messenger above all else.

B. The Legal and Judicial System

Shariah as Supreme Law: The Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophet (Sunnah) became the primary sources of law, governing both religious and civil matters.
Judicial Authority: The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ acted as the supreme judge, resolving disputes, issuing legal rulings, and enforcing justice.
Punishments Prescribed by Shariah: Crimes such as theft, adultery, and apostasy were addressed according to divine laws revealed in the Qur’an.

C. Military Authority and Expansion

Establishment of a Standing Army: The Medina state maintained a military force for defense and the expansion of Islam.
Jihad (Struggle in the Path of Allah): The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ led military expeditions (Ghazwat) against hostile tribes, expanding the Islamic state’s territory.
Treaties and Diplomacy: The Prophet ﷺ also engaged in diplomatic treaties, such as the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah with the Quraysh of Mecca.

2. Why the Medina Model Remains Central to Islamic Political Movements

A. A Divine Precedent

For Muslims, the Medina model is not just a historical event — it is a divinely sanctioned example of Islamic governance. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is considered the perfect model for human conduct (Surah Al-Ahzab 33:21), and his establishment of the Medina state is seen as the ideal form of Islamic government.

The Prophet as a Ruler: Muhammad ﷺ was not just a religious preacher; he was also a statesman, judge, and military commander.
Divine Legitimacy: The Qur’an affirms the Prophet’s authority over both spiritual and temporal matters:
“O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.”
— (Surah An-Nisa 4:59)

B. The Concept of Tawhid (Oneness of Allah)

The Medina model reflects the Islamic concept of Tawhid (Oneness of Allah), where there is no separation between religion and state. Allah is the supreme sovereign, and His laws are meant to govern all aspects of life — including politics, law, and society.

Religion and State Are One: Islamic law (Shariah) is seen as divine, and the state’s primary duty is to enforce this law.
No Secularism in Islam: Unlike the Western concept of secularism, where religion is separate from state, Islam views the separation of religion from state as a violation of divine guidance.

C. The Obligation of Shariah Implementation

Islamic political movements view the implementation of Shariah as an obligation for any Islamic state:

Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:44:
“And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed — then it is those who are the disbelievers.”
This verse is interpreted as a direct command to establish Shariah as the supreme law.
The Prophet’s Warning Against Abandoning Shariah:
“Whoever rules without what Allah has revealed, then they are tyrants.” — (Ibn Kathir, Tafsir of Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:45)

D. Historical Success of the Medina Model

The rapid expansion of Islam after the Prophet’s death is seen as evidence of the success of the Medina model:

The Rashidun Caliphate (632–661 CE): The first four caliphs continued the Prophet’s model of governance, expanding the Islamic state into Persia, Syria, Egypt, and North Africa.
Islamic Golden Age: The implementation of Shariah led to the flourishing of Islamic civilization in science, medicine, philosophy, and law.

3. Modern Islamic Movements and the Revival of the Medina Model

A. The Muslim Brotherhood (Egypt)

Founded in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna, the Muslim Brotherhood is one of the most influential Islamic political movements. It explicitly calls for the re-establishment of an Islamic state governed by Shariah, following the Medina model.

Sayyid Qutb’s Vision: The Brotherhood’s ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, promoted the concept of Hakimiyyah (Divine Sovereignty), declaring that any government not ruled by Shariah is an illegitimate “Jahiliyyah” (state of ignorance).

B. The Islamic Republic of Iran

After the 1979 revolution, Iran established a theocratic state under the doctrine of Wilayat al-Faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist), where the Supreme Leader is both the highest religious and political authority.

Constitution Based on Shariah: The Iranian Constitution declares that all laws must conform to Islamic law.
The Supreme Leader as Successor to the Prophet: The Supreme Leader is seen as the guardian of the Islamic state, similar to the Prophet’s role in Medina.

C. The Taliban (Afghanistan)

The Taliban have repeatedly emphasized their commitment to establishing an Islamic Emirate governed by Shariah, following the Medina model.

Strict Shariah Enforcement: Public punishments, gender segregation, and the banning of non-Islamic cultural practices are all justified as part of establishing the Medina model.

D. The Islamic State (ISIS)

ISIS declared itself a caliphate in 2014, claiming to restore the Medina model of governance:

Strict Shariah Laws: Public executions, amputation for theft, and jizya tax for non-Muslims were implemented as part of their interpretation of Islamic law.
Expansion by Jihad: ISIS justified its aggressive conquests as part of the divine mission to spread Dar al-Islam (the House of Islam).

4. Conclusion: The Enduring Appeal of the Medina Model

The Medina model of governance established by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is not just a historical precedent — it is a divinely sanctioned ideal that continues to inspire Islamic political movements around the world. For these movements, the Medina model is the blueprint for establishing a state where religion and politics are inseparable, where Shariah is the supreme law, and where the authority of the ruler is derived from divine guidance.

Key Takeaways:

The Medina model is a divinely sanctioned system where religion and state are inseparable.
Shariah is the supreme law, and the ruler’s authority is derived from divine revelation.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is viewed as the perfect model for leadership in both spiritual and political matters.
Modern Islamic political movements seek to revive the Medina model as a solution to contemporary issues.

For Islamic political movements, the Medina model is not just a historical memory — it is a divine mandate for the present and future.