Life in Madinah

Events surrounding the 1st year of Hijra (1 AH)

• On the day the Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) arrived at Madina, the people had just gone backinto
their houses. The first person to see him was a Jew, thus fulfilling the prophecy contained in the
Torah. In Madinah, the people greeted the Messenger of Allah (P.B.U.H) enthusiastically.Children
were singing as he arrived. Everyone was eager that he should stay with him. They grabbed the
halter of his camel, but the Prophet (P.B.U.H) said, “Let it go its own way, it is under orders.”
Eventually the camel stopped at the home of Banu Malik Ibn al-Najjar. By herself, she knelt at a
place, which today marks the door of the Prophet’s mosque. It belongedto two orphan boys, Sahil
and Suhail, of the Banu Najjar. The Prophet (P.B.U.H) paid them the price of the land and built the
mosque of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) (Masjid-al-nabvi). While the mosque was being built, he stayed at
the house of Abu Ayub al Ansari.

• The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) himself worked hard with the companions to complete the building.
This mosque was known as the “Mosque of the Prophet” or Masjid-e-Nabawi. It isreferred to in
the Quran in the following words:

“There is a mosque whose foundation was laid from the first day on piety; it is more worthy of
thy standing forth (for prayer) therein. In it are men who love to be purified, and Allah loveth
those who make themselves pure.” (9:108)

• After the construction of Masjid e Nabwi Muslims felt the need to find a way to inform people to
come to congregational prayer. The Prophet (pbuh) asked his companions for their advice. Some
suggested that the Muslims, like the Jews, should blow a horn to announce the time for the
prayer. Others said, the Muslims might ring bells as the Christians do in their churches. A few
proposed that the Muslims, like the fire-worshippers, kindle a fire to call people to pray. Yet other
suggested the beating of drums but the Prophet (pbuh) did not approve any of these because it
resembled the unbelievers. Hazrat Umar suggested that people should be called to prayer in
human voice. The Prophet (pbuh) waited to hear a better idea or to receive guidance from Allah.
One day, a companion, 'Abdullah ibn Zaid , came and said, "O Messenger of Allah! I had a
beautiful dream last night."
The Prophet(pbuh) asked , "What was the dream you saw?".
Zaid answered, "I have seen that a man wearing green garments taught me the words of the 'Adhan
and advised me to call people to prayer with these words." He then recited the words for the
'Adhan’.The words were beautiful and full of meaning. The Prophet (pbuh) recognized that the
dream of 'Abdullah bin Zaid was true. He asked 'Abdullah to teach the words of the 'Adhan to Bilal,
who had a loud and beautiful voice. Thus he was appointed as the Muezzin.

• The continuous state of anarchy in Madinah had eventually forced the residents to seek options for
peace. They agreed to make a prominent tribal chief, Abdullah ibn Ubay bin Salool, their king so
that peace and harmony could be achieved. Around this time,Prophet Muhammad (SAW) arrived in
Madinah and the tide turned against Abdullah bin Ubay. Since the Prophet was viewed as a
respectable, honest and trustworthy person, he was requested to head the soon to be city-state of
Madinah.
• The Muslims in Madinah belonged to two categories. Those who had migrated to Madinah from
Makkah were known as Muhajirin or emigrants. Those who belonged to Madinah and had given
shelter to the emigrants and helped them were known as Ansar or the Helpers.The Holy Prophet
(P.B.U.H) established brotherhood between these two groups of Muslims. He told the Ansar that
the Muhajirin were in need of help, and so he wanted to create brotherhood between them. The
Ansar willingly agreed to this. The Holy Quran mentioned this brotherhood in these words: ““Those,
who Believe and left their homes, and fought with their wealth and lives for the cause of Allah,
and those who gave them shelter and helped them they are friends and true allies of each other.”
(8:72)
Even the enmity between the two tribes of Madinah, Aus and Khazraj was forgotten, as mentioned
in the Holly Quran; “And Remember the Blessings of Allah upon you that when you were enemies
then He brought your hearts together and you became Brothers by His Favour and Grace…” (3:103)

• There were three main tribes of Jews; Banu Qainuqa, Banu Nazir and Banu Quraiza, settled in
the suburbs of Madinah in their own strong fortresses. As soon as the Holly Prophet (P.B.U.H)
was settled in Madinah, he called together the Muslims and the Jewish tribes for consultation.
After an exchange of views, an agreement was reached which granted
o equal rights to the Jews with full liberty to follow their own faith without any interference by the
Holly Prophet (P.B.U.H) or his followers.
o It stated that the Muslims and Jews were allies and would help each other,
o that neither party would commit aggression against the other,
o and that in case of an attack on Madinah, both Muslims and Jews would defend it.
o It also guaranteed protection of their life and property
o the Treaty also established the Holy Prophet (P.B.U,.H) as the leader and the head of the
State of Madinah.
The name of the town was changed from Yathrib to Madina tul Nabi i.e City of the Prophet.

Question Bank

3(a) Write about the events of the first year following the Prophet’s arrival in Madina. [10][M/J 2013]
Part (b)’s
(b) How can Muslims apply this model of brotherhood to help their communities?

3(b) What lessons can Muslims learn from the brotherhood that was created in Madina? [4][M/J
2013]

• Islam establishes human brotherhood on the basis of faith. Allah describes the believers as
being brother. “The believers are but brothers” [49:10]
• Brotherhood between Muhajirin and Ansar reminds the Muslims that the feeling of brotherhood
is an essential prerequisite for unity. It guarantees the safety and the well-being of the society at
large.
• Muslims can help by looking to see what they can offer others. Help can be in any form, e.g.,
financial assistance to poor, youth services, challenging social injustice etc.
• Muslims may live in areas where people from another country have come to settle, whether it be
because they are fleeing from persecution for example Kashmir, Palestine etc or to seek work.
Muslims can help them by finding out about them, asking if they need any help, providing
food/clothing/information and /or by helping them to integrate