With Immigrants

Tuesday, 01 April 2008

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Written by Emad Fadel

The mercy of the Prophet (SAWS) was most evident in his wonderful stance with the Muslims during the immigration from Makkah to Madinah.  Indeed, it was a big crisis in which Muslims left their homes, properties, money and their memories.  They parted with all this to hurry for Allah and His Messenger.  There had to be someone to stand by them in their ordeal.

 The Prophet (SAWS) started by appreciating them and raising their ranks.  He (SAWS) told them that their immigration was a noble deed that no one could ever disparage, since they have not been just refugees; rather they have been great mujahideen (strivers).  He (SAWS) mentioned this in more than one Hadeeth.  One of the great Ahadeeth in this context is that with which he brought them glad tidings of preceding all people in passing al-Sirat (a bridge to paradise) on the Day of Judgment.  That was when he was asked about the first amongst people to cross al-Sirat?  He answered, “The poor amongst the immigrants.”[1]

 In another situation, he (SAWS) said, “The destitute emigrants would precede the rich immigrants by forty years in getting into paradise on the Day of Resurrection. Thereupon they said, ‘We then, show patience and do not ask for anything.’”[2]

 See how his words made the poor immigrants feel that they were valued and how he raised their morale?  

 The Prophet (SAWS) used to console and ease the immigrants during their hardships which were sometimes truly hard.  His reception to Suhayb ar-Roomei[3] who immigrated to Madinah leaving behind all his wealth in Makkah was wonderful and auspicious; he said, “Indeed a profiting transaction, abu-Yahya!”[4]

 Abdullah ibn-Jahsh once came to the Prophet (SAWS) complaining that abu-Sufyan had taken possession of their house in Makkah after their immigration and had sold it.  The Prophet (SAWS) consoled him tenderly, saying, “O Abdullah! Would you not accept that Allah would give you instead of it a better house in paradise?”  He replied, “Yes.”  He (SAWS) said, “Then it is yours.”[5]

 The Prophet (SAWS) used to visit the Muhajereen regularly in Madinah, especially that they have migrated to a new atmosphere that caused them to catch many illnesses. 

 Lady Aisha (RA) reported that abu-Bakr and Bilal, among other companions, complained to the Prophet (SAWS) when they first immigrated to Madinah. The Prophet (SAWS) then prayed to Allah to make them love Madinah just as they loved Makkah.

The Prophet (SAWS) also undertook a unique action that no-one had ever done before, which was to establish a brotherhood relationship between the Muhajireen and the Ansar.  The Ansar sponsored the Muhajireen and shared their houses with them.  They even used to inherit each other; however, this was banished later on.

 Despite that the Ansar were at ease compared to the Muhajireen, the Prophet (SAWS) was kind to them as well.  He did not wish to overload them even though they had the will to sacrifice.

 The Ansar asked the Prophet (SAWS) to divide the palm trees on them and the Muhajireen. The Prophet (SAWS) said that the palm trees are theirs, and that sharing the dates are enough. They in turn obeyed him.

 The Prophet (SAWS) did not want to give the Muhajireen any of the palm trees of the Ansar because he wisely thought that someday the Muhajireen would become at a better sate causing the Ansar to feel unjustly treated.

 This is how the Muhajireen and the Ansar overcame all their problems that might have threatened the peace and order in Madinah.  The Prophet’s (SAWS) method was very unique.  It was this merciful method that caused the Muslims to live in peace, for this would never be possible had it not been for the great mercy in his heart.

 It was the Prophet’s humility, mercy and kindness that Allah spoke about when He said what can be translated as,

“And in no way have We sent you except as a mercy to the worlds.” (TMQ, 21:107).

 To conclude, all the previously mentioned examples which demonstrate the Prophet’s  exceptional mercy are but a drop in the ocean.  We tried to mention various examples from diverse situations, yet we are still far away from illustrating the whole true picture.  This is because every incident is his life and every word he said reveal his great mercy.  Hopefully, the mentioned examples would motivate us to study his seerah (the biography of Prophet Muhammad) in more depth, and this would be for our good, and the good of the whole world.