How was the first Islamic state established in Medina?

The first Islamic state was established in the city of Medina in 622 CE by the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Following his migration from Mecca, known as the Hijrah, Muhammad was invited by city leaders to act as an arbitrator in local clan disputes. Accepted by popular consensus as the political leader, he unified Medina's tribes and followers under the Constitution of Medina.

What we know

• The first Islamic state was founded by Muhammad in Medina in 622 CE/1 AH. [1, 2]
• Muhammad was invited to Medina by city leaders to adjudicate disputes between local clans. [2]
• The polity was governed largely through the Constitution of Medina, which unified the Muslim muhajirun and the tribes of Medina. [2]
• Muhammad was accepted by popular consensus as the political leader of Medina, including by its Jewish and pagan residents. [2]

Where to go next

• what followedWho were the Rightly Guided Caliphs?
• how it workedWhat was the Constitution of Medina?
• what caused itWhy did Muhammad migrate from Mecca to Medina?
• whenHow did later Islamic empires evolve from this polity?
• compared withHow do modern Islamist groups conceptualize an Islamic state?
• an unexpected connectionHow does 7th-century Medina connect to modern militant groups?Both the original 7th-century polity in Medina and 21st-century militant movements utilized the historical concept and title of an Islamic state to legitimize their governance.

Sources

• [1]first Islamic state (Wikidata Q76821846) · CC0 1.0
• [2]First Islamic state · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Islamic state · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Islamic State · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]History of the Islamic State · CC BY-SA 4.0