In
the 14th year of Prophethood the Prophet(p) migrated to Madinah on
Allahs(swt) instructions. It was now becoming more & more difficult for the
Muslims to practice their religion in Makkah. The Prophet(p) of Allah & the
followers of Islam now needed a peaceful place where they could establish this
Deen & to further the Oneness of Allah(swt).
The
first thing on arriving in Madinah the Prophet(p) build Masjid Quba. This was
the first mosque built after Prophethood descended on the Prophet(p) & was
built on piety & righteousness.
“A place of worship which was
founded upon duty to Allah from the first day is more worthy that you should
stand to pray in it, in which are men who love to purify themselves”[1]
Strong
Leader, Guide & Visionary
It
was now time for the Prophet of Allah(swt) to erect the pillars of a new
society. Under his vision, guidance
& strong leadership people were moved towards contributing & laying
down the foundations of this new society.
The
Prophet(p) knew that the migration was not easy either for the Emigrants or for
the helpers. Many people had also become sick due to an epidemic of Malaria in
Madinah. The Prophet(p) consistently encouraged everyone reminding them of the
good in the hereafter. The encouragement he provided as a leader encouraged
people to move forward & towards building of a healthier society. On this
occasion he said:
“Anyone of my Ummah who endures the
harshness of Madinah will have me as his intercessor & witness on the day
of resurrection, for it will be placed in it by someone who is better than he.”[2]
Building
of Masjid Nabwi
The
Prophet(p) first moved towards establishing the relationship of the Ummah with
Allah(swt). He purchased a piece of land & the Mosque was built there. The
Prophet(p) along with the people toiled in the sun to build this mosque. This
further encouraged the Muslims to work & sacrifice in the way of their
Lord. This mosque was going to be an institution where the Muslims could come
& worship together, knowledge would be imparted, a place for complete
spiritual & material guidance. This is wherein all the affairs of the
Muslims were administered and consultative and executive councils held.[3]
Enmity
between the Aus & Khazraj put to an end
The
enmity between the Aus & Khazraj was put to an end. They were made to live
as neighbours & the separate identities of the two tribes was merged into a
single identity & came to be known as the Ansar.
Brotherhood
The
Muhajireen had left all their wealth & land and made much sacrifice in
order to uphold the Deen of Allah(swt), to be governed completely by the
revelation & to seek the true pleasure of their Lord & migrated to
Medina. The Prophet(p) knew that it was a difficult time for everyone & so
he established bonds of brotherhood between the inhabitants of Makkah (Ansar)
& the emigrants (Muhajireen). The Ansar were ready to divide & share
everything they had & the Muhajireen did not exploit their brothers either.
This
brotherhood dissolved all the tribal based affiliations, enmities, distinctions
of race, kindred & elevated the Islamic principle that one can only be
better than the other on the basis of his piety & God consciousness. Love,
sharing, sacrifice was the main basis of this brotherhood. If this wasn’t the
case there would be hatred, jealousy, greed & tribal bias in there society.
The
Saheefa- Role of the Muslims in the society
Under
the Saheefa Muslims & those who strove alongside with them are united as
one, to be against those who seek to spread enmity, a believer should not
unjustly kill another believer, a disbeliever should not be supported against
another believer, the believers who hold by what is in this document shall not
help or give refuge to a criminal etc.
Rights
of Neighbours
“He
will not enter paradise, whose neighbor is not secure from his wrongful conduct.”
Rights
of other believers
“None
of you believes till one likes for his brother that which he loves for
himself.”[4]
“The
believers are like the human body, if one part feels the pain the entire body
suffers.”[5]
“A
Muslim is the brother of a Muslim, he neither oppresses him nor does he hand
him over to another oppressor.”[6]
Justice
If
a believer was to be killed with no good reason then this would lead to
retribution or unless the heirs would consider it otherwise. The Jews who would
follow them shall have aid, help & shall not be injured nor any enemy be
aided against them.
Relationship
with the Non Muslims
The
Prophet(p) did not ignore or overlook the relationship that was to be between
the Muslims & the Non Muslim tribes of Arabia. The treaty with the Jews
stated clearly that if attacked by a third party each shall come to the help of
the other, Muslims & Jews shall hold counsel with the other based on
righteousness, neither shall be prejudiced against the other, wronged party
would be aided, freedom to profess their religion etc.
Unity
Madinah
was to remain sacred for all those who joined the treaty. The Quraish were to
be boycotted commercially, each shall help in defending Madinah & in case
of disagreement arising between the people then it was to be referred to the Prophet(p).
Peace & Cooperation
The
terms in favor of the Non Muslims in the Saheefa & the treaty clearly
showed that the Prophet(p) wanted to establish the society on peace,
cooperation & justice.
Conclusion
For
a successful Islamic society to be established we need a Muslim leader who can
guide the people under his leadership. He must understand the needs of his
people & rule by the laws of Allah(swt). We need to have mosques where the
true Islamic Knowledge has to be imparted in order to spiritually guide the
people & where their issues are addressed.
A
society has to be rid of racism, bias & enmities. Only then we can move
forward & feel the real essence of brotherhood that was felt at that time
in Madinah. The Shariah has to be
implemented so that everyone has rights & duties. Islam encourages
establishing a society on unity, peace & most importantly justice.
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