Episode 10: A Spotlight on Establishing the New Muslim State

Sheikh Ali Paqees: On Monday, on that blessed day, the Messenger of Allah arrived at Quba’. He was hosted in those homes, built the Masjid (mosque) of Quba'; the one that has been founded on piety from the very first day. The prophet's companion in Medina was longing to receive the prophet in their home land which indeed even it longed for the honored arrival of the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: The crowds would come out every morning and wait eagerly for his appearance صلى الله عليه وسلم

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: They would come out every day; in the early morning, they would go up their roofs, climb the trees and mountains for better views, awaiting the prophet's arrival till the unbearable hotness of the midday sun obliges them to return.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: They'd wake up very early; every morning longing to see the prophet; eager to receive the most honorable man ever to enter the Medina; one day; after the sun hotness forced them to return.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: A Jew from the Medina were out on one of the hillocks. He looked closely at the outskirts as he caught a glimpse of the prophet and his party on their way to Medina. He shouted " O Arab people, here comes your grandfather (meaning their fortune and destined leader) whom you've been awaiting"

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Immediately the news spread, the crowds multiplied, hurrying to that place to receive the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم

Sheikh Ali Paqees: The loud shouts of Allah Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) with joy and pride were all over the Medina, praising Allah for such a bliss was uttered by every tongue. The crowds kept multiplying in numbers, all eager and rejoiced for the arrival of the prophet.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The people of Medina went out. The Muslims in particular were the first out awaiting his honored arrival, armored in their weapons (in case they needed to defend him صلى الله عليه وسلم)

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: There was the prophet, crossing the desert on the outskirt of Medina. He appeared as if a beaming moon, a glowing light walking on the surface of the earth.

(On the hillside whence caravans are given a send-off,

The full moon came up in that day.

All the while Allah is praised.

We had better return our thanks, every time a prayer is made

The noble one, O thou sent us, Thou has brought binding commands

You honored Medina with your arrival, O Welcome to the noblest of All)

Sheikh Ali Paqees: After the prophet had settled down in Medina, he started the construction of his Masjid (Mosque) (may peace and blessings be upon him)

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: True was the great resolution of the prophet to build the Masjid, for it was the place where Muslims worship their Lord سبحانه وتعالى; where they assembled, took decisions before taking actions in the least of matters. The prophet held meetings with his companions only there.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The prophet started the Masjid's construction in the very spot that his camel knelt down at when he entered the Medina.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: "Here the Masjid (Mosque) shall be built," the prophet said, yet the place was full of shrubs, rubbish and the graves of the polytheists. Consequently, the prophet ordered that the ground to be cleared of weeds and shrubs, palm trees and rubbish; the graves of the polytheists were to dug up and then leveled. He also صلى الله عليه وسلم purchased the land from a pair of orphans of the Medina.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The prophet himself صلى الله عليه وسلم contributed to building the Masjid (Mosque). He never thought of himself in a higher rank than his companions.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: The prophet and his companions were one heart and one hand as if their souls were settled in one body. They all contributed to the building of the prophet's Mosque.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: They were very hard working, deliberately constructing that Mosque.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: Everyone participated, as one would fetch palm leaves, another would bring fronds and branches while a third would bring adobe bricks.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Even the prophet used to carry adobe bricks and stones to the construction site.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: He shared them the hard work, contributing to the building while chanting

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: "O Allah! The true reward is the reward of the hereafter; have mercy O Allah on the Ansar (The Muslims of Medina) and Muhajiroon (The Muslims immigrated to Medina) and forgive them all.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Overjoyed, the companions chanted along with prophet (may Allah be pleased with them all) "Those loads and burdens are not those of Khaibar; we bore the hardships to fulfill our Lord and purify our selves"

Sheikh Ali Paqees: When some of the companions saw the hard working of the prophet, they left their relaxed positions and hurried to contribute to the building "If we rested whilst the prophet is hard working, it's nothing but an erroneous, astray deed," they said.

(And so the Master of creations had built his mosque; the building of honor of vertical pillars distinguishing Bilal by assigning the call for prayers to him; who the tone of his voice was sweeter than any melody)

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The constructed Mosque at that time was primitive with no particulars at all. It was built to the likes of the homes of the people in Medina then.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: Its height was 70 cubits approximately while its width was 40 cubits. Its floor wasn't furnished. It was of soil and small stones. Its pillars were of palm trunks and beams while its celing was of fronds. Yet the most important thing was that it was filled up with piety and faith as firm and constant as mountains could possibly be.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: It had three gates

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: The Qiblah (the direction in which the Muslims turn their faces in prayer) was constructed to face Jerusalem in that one mosque whereby the light of guidance emanated to the world. The Qiblah kept facing that direction for a year and a month till it was changed later.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: Thus the prophet's mosque was built and he held his gatherings with his companions therein.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The spread of the light of Islam emanated from that blessed Mosque.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: The Mosque was not built only to worship Allah and pray therein, but also to act as an assembly where the companions gathered to discuss the concerns of the Muslims' community and administrated their affairs.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Indeed the Mosque wasn't only a place for worshipping Allah and implementing the Islamic law, but also an educational, cultural and social school.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: Afterwards, the prophet built the rooms of his, his wives and his household's residence صلى الله عليه وسلم who immigrated after him to Medina. Thus he built it nearby his Mosque

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: It was built from adobe bricks, clay and fronds, adjacent to one of the prophet's mosque's sides صلى الله عليه وسلم

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: From those very small rooms emanated the light of guidance to direct the people to the righteous path. Indeed those rooms where the prophet lived were the best of houses; the happiest and merriest.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The prophet was very humble his home, food and clothes showed his great modesty صلى الله عليه وسلم

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: He neither inhabited fancy palaces or castles, nor resided in wide prosperous lands or farms; nothing but small rooms, yet it was ample and prosperous by the remeberance of Allah سبحانه وتعالى

{الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَطْمَئِنُّ قُلُوبُهُمْ بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ أَلَا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ} [الرعد: 28]

Interpretation of the meaning: "Such are the ones who believe (in the message of the Prophet) and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah. Surely in Allah's remembrance do hearts find rest" [Surat: Ar-Ra'd: 28]

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: The Muslims emigrants emigrated from Mecca, sacrificing their homes, wealth and property for their faith. They settled in Medina to escape the torments of the pagans in Mecca. Thus they were in serious need of merciful hearts to lend them a hand of mercy and support.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: One of the most important and greatest achievements of the prophet after his settlement in Medina was the establishment of brotherhood between the Emigrants (Muhajirun) and the Helpers (Ansar)

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: Therefore it was the Ansar (helpers) noble attribute to love and cherish those who migrate to them.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: The Ansar (helpers) came to the prophet "O prophet of Allah, we should entrust half our dates, palms and trade to our brothers, the emigrants (Muhajirun). All our wealth we are gladly to share half of it with our brothers," they said

Sheikh Ali Paqees: But the prophet rejected their offer. Thereon they said "then let them spare us the supplies, and have their shares of the fruits"

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: The suggestion appealed to the prophet. Thus he agreed with it.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: The prophet desired to fortify that bond between the Emigrants who escaped the torments of the pagans and the Helpers (Ansar) who are the residents of this abode.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: The new circumstances demanded the fortifying of that bond for the hearts needed to be one before the bodies acted so. Thus a brotherhood bond was needed.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: The prophet made this brotherhood a valid contract.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: This brotherhood bond in which the fierce bigotry of ignorance dissolves leaving nothing but the zeal and enthusiasm of the Islamic bond. The differences of color, race, lineage and homeland were tumbled.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Only the great Islamic bond prevailed and dominated their spirits.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: There's no superiority of one over the other except by piety and being Allah-fearing.

{وَالَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُوا الدَّارَ وَالْإِيمَانَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ يُحِبُّونَ مَنْ هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلَا يَجِدُونَ فِي صُدُورِهِمْ حَاجَةً مِمَّا أُوتُوا وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَى أَنْفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ وَمَنْ يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَ} [الحشر: 9]

Interpretation of the meaining: "It also belongs to those who were already settled in this abode (of Hijrah) having come to faith before the (arrival of the) Muhajirun (Emigrants). They love those who have migrated to them and do not covet what has been given them; they even prefer them above themselves though poverty be their own lot. And whosoever are preserved from their own greed, such are the ones that will prosper." [Surat: Al-Hashr: 9]

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: The prophet was conscious of the needs of the Emigrants (may Allah be pleased with them). He صلى الله عليه وسلم highly esteemed the abundant hospitality of the Helpers (Ansar); hence was the brotherhood bond. The prophet also was conscious of the past grudges and ruinous wars that broke between Al-'Aws and Al-Khazraj (The Helpers' clans) which left both in need of mutual cordiality, love and brotherhood.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: The prophet made this brotherhood charter between 90 men, half of them from amongst the Helpers (Ansar) and the other half from the Emigrants (Muhajirun)

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: It was indeed unique in the history of the world.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: This brotherhood was based on supporting one another in the matters of religion, inheriting one another and acting as one against whoever oppresses them.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: That brotherhood in faith was the tightest bond between the Emigrants and the Helpers; Abu Bakr's brother in faith was Khaarijah bin Zubayr Al-Ansaari and ‘Umar bin Al-Khattaab entered the bond of brotherhood with ‘Utbaan bin Maalik Al-Ansaari, Abu ‘Ubaydah bin Al-Jarraah with Sa'd bin Mu'aath Al-Ansaari, Zubayr bin Al-‘Awwam with Salamah bin Salamah, Similarly, Talhah bin ‘Ubaydullaah and Ka'b bin Maalik, and several others of the prophet's companions.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: As the Emigrant becomes the brother of the Helper in the light of faith, he then held the duties and rights of a blood brother. They even inherit one another.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Indeed the Helpers' stances showed great nobility and honor (may Allah be pleased with them)

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: One of the great, healthy results of that bond was an impressive story that one must contemplates and learns from how deep a sincere brotherhood in faith could reach. After the prophet paired the Helpers and the Emigrants, amongst those were Sa‘d bin Ar-Rabee’ from the Helpers and his fellow brother ‘Abdur-Rahman bin ‘Awf from the Emigrants. Right afterwards Sa'd came to 'Abdur-Rahman

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: "I will be glad to share half of my property with you my brother. I have two wives. I am ready to divorce the one you choose, and after the expiry of her prescribed period of divorce you may marry her."

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Who could ever behave in such selfless, abundant generosity? No one except whosever sincerely loved his Lord and his messenger with all his heart. Bin 'Awf then said "May Allah bless you and your household and wealth, but kindly direct me to the market"

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: One could not but wonder which of both situations is the uppermost of selflessness? Which is superior? Is it that of Sa'd bin Ar-Rabee' who took the initiative "choose one of my wives and take half of my wealth" or that of Abdur-Rahman bin 'Awf as he supplicated Allah to bless Sa'd and his household and wealth, refusing everything, neither property nor wife, and said: "Kindly direct me to the market so that I may make my fortune with my own hands."

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The narrator said that Abdur-Rahman was back that night from the market with yogurt and butter.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: Soon, he prospered in his trade and became one of the richest companions. He didn't die before he used to divide his wealth of gold ingots with an axe. Amongst the reason of the pleasure of Allah upon Abur-Rahman was his charity and expending his wealth for Allah's sake.

(You shall not find a more honored friendship, a more sincere bond than that of the Islamic brotherhood, no bond could be as noble as it. The prophet realizing this, established it amongst The Emigrants and Helpers. It was of high priority, second to the construction of his mosque. Indeed it was a brotherhood that super-passed that of blood relations, a mutual love for a great cause. May those excellent, pure souls be blessed!)

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Beside the establishment of brotherhood between the 45 of Emigrants and 45 of the Helpers, the prophet made a charter, a great pact for the whole of Muslims at that time and place.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Among the written treaty was "This is a document from Muhammad, the Messenger of Allâh, concerning Emigrants and Helpers and those who may follow them and strove with them." Many terms were included in the treaty, the most prominent was "They are one nation to the exclusion of other people"

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: A believer shall not kill another believer to avenge a disbeliever's death, nor shall support a disbeliever against a believer. Whenever they differ about a matter, it must be referred to Allah and to the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم; their hands shall all be against their enemy even if he was a father or a son of one of them.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: It was a charter that they bounded themselves to, accepted its terms and obliged by it. Hence Allah ensured their unity.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: The only property in which people are compared and favored is their piety. Neither an Arab is superior to an outlandish, nor are white men superior to black men except for the superiority of one's piety. Suhaib the Roman, Salman the Persian, Bilal the Abyssinian and 'Umar from Mecca are all equal in the Islamic society as brothers supporting each other for the sake of Allah.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: This brotherhood of faith that the prophet sowed in his companions' hearts has ripened and bore the fruit of mutual love, support and compassion. It was the blessing that Allah bestowed upon them that made them brothers like the human body where when an organ is in agony, the entire body feels the pain"

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Such great terms and sacred charter erected the pillars of a deep brotherhood and a stable state, owing it all to Allah's blessings سبحانه وتعالى for no doubt that charter and those terms left its impressive marks on the virtuous companions later on.

(When Allah brought about his decree; and the tribes came to the prophet from far away as well as from nearby, He صلى الله عليه وسلم; the son of the sacrificed, delivered a speech of the righteous guidance, prohibited all offenses and established among them a treaty in which he encouraged the good attributes, habits and fairest of manners. Hence a tight brotherhood was founded which time couldn't broken)

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Afterwards, the prophet (may my mother and father be sacrificed for him) started to establish the teachings of Islam that was revealed to him by his lord in his companions' heart even before establishing it on land. He established the Islamic society in their hearts and minds before he founded its bases on land, enjoined them to observe righteousness and praiseworthy manners and was keen on infusing into them the ethics of amity “Show mercy to people on earth so that Allah will have mercy on you in heaven.”

Sheikh Ali Paqees: "O people, extend peace greetings amongst yourselves, provide food to the needy, maintain uterine relations, observe prayer at night while people are asleep, then you will peacefully enter the Garden (Paradise).” He encouraged them to extend peace and provide the destitute. He also said “The believers in their mutual love are like the human body"

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: The prophet said "The Muslim is that one from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe.” Yes, indeed the new society needed to be established on such bases; "The believer is the one in which people entrust him not only with their money but also with their lives", "He is not a perfect beliver; he is not a perfect believer; he is not a perfect believer! O prophet of Allah who is that unfortunate one? The prophet said: "He whose neighbor is not secure from his wrongful conduct.”

Sheikh Ali Paqees: the prophet taught them their rights towards one another, and sowed the seeds of brotherhood and love in the sake of Allah amongst them, so truly they became like one body, May Allah be pleased with them all for that brotherhood which the prophet established was immortalized in the holy Quran till the day of Judgment.