Covenant with the Christians of Najran — Islamic/Syriac Corpus
Bismillahi Rahmani Raheem
• Grant of Divine Protection and Guarantee of Religious Autonomy
[1] To the people of Najran (Najrān; toponym → Christian oasis in Yemen) and their environs: the protection of God (jiwār Allāh; j-w-r, to deviate/turn aside → to seek refuge/neighbor → sanctuary/protection) and the pledge of Muhammad the Prophet (dhimmah; d-h-m, to blame/concern → covenant of liability → indefinite protection) extends to their property, their persons, and their presence, absent or present [comprehensive diplomatic immunity established]. [2] Also to their clan, their churches (biyaʿihim; b-y-ʿ, synagogue/church), and all that is in their possession, little or much [guarantee against expropriation].
• Preservation of Ecclesiastical Hierarchy and Rites
[3] No bishop shall be removed from his bishopric (lā yuġayyaru usquf; ġ-y-r, to alter/change; usquf < Gk. episkopos, overseer), nor any monk from his monasticism (rāhib; r-h-b, to fear/dread → ascetic devotion), nor any priest from his priesthood (kāhin; k-h-n, to prophecy/divine → Semitic sacerdotal function) [legal freezing of the status quo; protection of institutional continuity]. [4] They shall not be humiliated nor tread upon; no right of theirs shall be diminished [affirmation of dignity and customary law].
• Tribute Stipulations and Conditional Military Support
[5] Upon them is the obligation of two thousand garments (ḥulla; ḥ-l-l, to untie/alight → two-piece garb/robe → currency unit) annually: one thousand in the month of Rajab (r-j-b, to respect/awe → sacred month), and one thousand in Safar (ṣ-f-r, to be empty/yellow); each garment valued at one ounce (ūqiyyah; standard weight) [fiscal regularization replaces arbitrary raiding]. [6] Should there be a plot or treachery in Yemen, they shall lend (yuʿārūna; ʿ-w-r, to lend/borrow → ʿāriya, loan) thirty coats of mail, thirty horses, and thirty camels [conditional alliance; logistics support in lieu of conscription]. [7] Whatever is lost of these loans by the Messengers shall be guaranteed (ḍamān; ḍ-m-n, to include/ensure → liability) until returned [state assumes risk for requisitioned assets].
• Prohibition of Usury and Final Seal
[8] However, whoever consumes usury (ribā; r-b-w, to increase/swell → interest/usury) after this year, my protection is free of him (barīʾah; b-r-ʾ, to cut/sever → absolved/disowned) [economic morality clause; violation dissolves the pact]. [9] No oppression is upon them, nor shall they oppress [reciprocal justice formula]. [10] Witnessed by Abu Sufyan, Ghaylan, Malik, and Aqra‘; written by Mughira (k-t-b, to mark/stitch → scribe/record) [ratification by elite consensus].