MASJID-E-NABAWI
Immediately on his arrival in Madinah, Rasulullah 's
first Divine urge was to build a Masjid. The vacant site adjoining the house of
Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansaari (R.A.) was the ideal place. The young Ansaari orphans,
Sahil and Suhailbin Amr Najjari, were the owners of this piece of land. The
orphans and their guardian. Mu'aaz bin Ufra offered to donate the land for the
Masjid. But Rasulullah preferred to buy it and
Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) immediately paid the agreed ten dinars for it.
A few
graves of the idolatrous were leveled out and some date palms were cleared away.
The building of the Masjid had a deep effect on the lives of the Sahaaba (R.A.)
because Rasulullah personally worked like an
ordinary artisan with them. The walls were of mud bricks and the up-right
columns were shaped from trunks of date palms. The leaves of date palms were
used for the roof. The Masjid had three entrances: one was 'Babul Rahmat' (gate
of blessings); another was 'Babul Nabee'(gate of Nabee )
which is today known as 'Babul -Jibra'eel and the third entrance was at
the rear of the building.
In the eastern section of the Masjid were the 'Hoojra' (private apartments)
for the family of Rasulullah .
One was for Hazrat Aisha binte Abu Bakr bin Abu Kuhafa (R.A.) and another or
Hazrat Sauda binte Zam'ah (R.A.). In due course, Rasulullah
sent Hazrat Zaid bin Harith (R.A.) and Hazrat Abu Raa'fe (R.A.) to Makkah with
two camels and five hundred dirhams for provisions and expenses to bring Hazrat
Fatima (R.A.), Hazrat Umme Kulthum (R.A.), Hazrat Sauda binte Zam'ah (R.A.), Hazrat Usaama
bin Zaid (R.A.) and Hazrat Zaid (R.A.)'s mother Hazrat Umme Aymen (R.A.).
Hazrat Zainab binte Muhammed (R.A.) could not come as her husband, Abdul As ibn
Rabi did not give her permission to go to Madinah.
Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.)'s family also arrived at about this time to Madinah
and his daughter Hazrat Aisha binte Abu Bakr (R.A.) was with them. The family of
Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) stayed in the home of Hazrat Harith bin No'maan (R.A.)
from the Banu Najjar clan. The nikah of Rasulullah
to Hazrat Aisha (R.A.) had taken place in Makkah in the tenth year of Nabuwat
after the demise of
Hazrat Khadija binte Khuwaylid (R.A.). Hazrat Aisha (R.A.) was very young at the time.
She went as a bride in the first year of Hijrat to Rasulullah
when Masji-e-Nabawi was ready. Hazrat Aisha binte Abu Bakr (R.A.) was very
intelligent and therefore derived great wisdom and learning in the company of
Rasulullah , who loved her very
dearly. In later years, her knowledge and understanding of Islam in its pure
form proved to be of great inspiration to the Sahaaba (R.A.) and the Tabi'een
(successors of the companions of Rasulullah .)
The sublime character of Hazrat Aisha (R.A.), her devotion to
Rasulullah , her virtue, intelligence
and eloquence was unparalleled in history. She was only eighteen years of age
when Nabi passed away. She related
2210 Ahaadith (recorded words, actions and sanctions of Rasulullah . She passed away in Hijri
57 at the age of sixty five.
In one section of the Masjid, a raised platform was built for the
Ashaab-as-Suffah- this a place made for those poor Muslim who had
dedicated their lives to the cause of Islamic education; theology; preaching of
Islam; memorizing of verses of the Qur'aan as and when revealed to
Rasulullah ; compiling of the
Adhaadith in its pristine form; recording of every action and deed of their
beloved Rasulullah for posterity. Hazrat Abu
Hurairah (R.A.) related that there were 70 Sahaaba who were the people of
Suffah. He was one of them.
They were very humble and very often went without a full meal for the day.
They never stretched their hands to anyone for charity, but labored to earn a
living by collecting firewood and selling it in the market-place to provide food
for all the Companions (R.A.)
When the Masjid was completed, the need arose for regular 'Jamaa'ah'.
Rasulullah asked the Sahaaba (R.A.)
to formulate some method of getting the Muslims together for salaah.
The Ashaab-as-Suffah volunteered to round up the Muslims for salaah, but this
was time consuming and not effective. Other suggestions that came forth were:
the beating of drums; the ringing of the bell like the Christians; the light of
fire like the Zoroastrians; blowing of the horn like the Jews.
Rasulullah rejected all these
suggestions and Hazrat Bilal bin Rabah Habshi (R.A.) was asked to call out
'Assalaatu-Jaamiah' for the time being. In the second year of Hijrat, when the
numbers in the Muslim rank were increasing the need was felt for more effective
manner in which to call the Muslims for prayer. One day, Hazrat Abdullah bin
Zaid (R.A.) in his dream heard an angel instructing him on the wordings of the
'Azaan' (Call To Prayer). He related his experience to Rasulullah who in turn asked Hazrat
Bilal bin Rabah Habshi (R.A.) to learn the words and call the Azaan. When Hazrat
Umar (R.A.) heard the Azaan, he rushed up to Rasulullah
and reported that he had also heard the same Azaan in his dream.
Hazrat
Bilal (R.A.) became the first Muazzin in Islam. The powerful and melodious voice
of Hazrat Bilal (R.A.), issuing from his strong lungs, resounded through the
city of Madinah. The word of the Azaan: 'Allah is great! There is no God but
Allah, Muhammed is the Rasul Of Allah !
Come to Salvation!' The words of the Azaan echoed in all the dwellings, and this
caused every citizen to inhale with delight the refreshing scent of prayer.
At first the 'Qibla' in Madinah was towards Jerusalem, but later Allah
commanded Rasulullah to face the Ka'bah and
perform salaah, Allah says in Sura Baqara:
'We see the turning of your face to the heavens;
now We shall turn you to a Qibla that shall please
you. Turn then your face in the direction of the
sacred Masjid, and wherever you be, turn your face
in that direction'.
(Sura: Baqara v:144)
The calculation of years by the Muslims had begun from the first year of
Nabuwat (Prophethood). However, immediately after the Hijrat of
Rasulullah , the year became known as
Hijrat the first year of Hijrat being the year of the arrival
Rasulullah in Madinah. The name of
the lunar months remained the same as were customary in Arabia before the advent
of Islam. Muharram was the first month, followed by Safar, Rabi-ul-Awwal, Rabi-ul-Aakhir, Jamaadil-Awwal,
Jamaadil-Akhir, Rajab, Sha'baan, Ramadhaan, Shawwal, Zilqa'dah and the last
month Zil-hajj.
The Masjid-e-Nabawi was becoming the center of Islamic activity. The Muslims
were zealously following the principles laid down by Rasulullah
from time to time. The Sahaaba (R.A.) witnessed with great admiration the simple
and solemn marriage ceremony of Rasulullah 's
fifteen years old daughter Hazrat Fatima (R.A.) to his twenty year old cousin
Hazrat Ali bin Abu Talib (R.A.). To raise the money for 'Mehr' (Dowry) Hazrat
Ali (R.A.) sold his 'Zirrah' (chain armour) for 480 dirhams. For his part,
Rasulullah gave his daughter a
'Jehaz'(dowry) comprising of a bamboo and reed bedstead; a quilt of date-palm
leaves; one leather water bag; two grindstones and two earthen water pots.
Hazrat Ali bin Abu Talib (R.A.) lived with Rasulullah
since childhood. Now, that he was married, he was given an apartment by Hazrat
Harith bin No'maan Ansaari (R.A.), whose buildings were situated behind
Masjid-e-Nabawi. As the need arose he donated all these buildings, one after the
other to Rasulullah . These houses were to
become the 'hoojarat' (apartments) of the family of Rasulullah
Rasulullah turned his attention to
the Muhajireen who were newcomers to Madinah. He did not wish them to become a
burden and a liability to the ever hospitable Ansaar. He was also aware that not
all the Ansaar were prosperous and wealthy. But the Muhajireen had sacrificed
their land and homes, their families and friends, their valuables and made
Hijrat for the pleasure of Islam.
Rasulullah assembled the Muhajireen
and the Ansaar in Masjid-e-Nabawi and issued a proclamation.This was in the form
of 'Mua'khaat'(brotherhood) which is hailed as one of the greatest gifts of
Rasulullah to the future Muslims of
the world. He ordained that they should pair off in couples consisting of a man
of the Muhajireen and an Ansaar.
The degree of devotion attained by this brotherhood of religion was stronger
than the ties of blood. All these men's hearts, united in the love of Allah were
now nothing more than a single heart, beating in different breasts. Each man
loved his brother better than himself, and an islamic brotherhood was
established.
Among the brotherly unions, Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) was taken by Hazrat
Kharijah bin Zaid (R.A.); Hazrat Umar (R.A.) by Hazrat Uthman bin Malik; Hazrat
Abu Ubaidah (R.A.) with Hazrat Sa'ad bi Muaz (R.A.) Hazrat Uthman bin Affan
(R.A.) with Hazrat Aus bin Nijjar (R.A.); Hazrat Abudurrahman bin Auf (R.A.)
with Hazrat Sa'ad bin Rabie (R.A.).
The Allah-fearing Muhajireen did not take undue advantage of all the
facilities offered to them. On the contrary, they labored and persevered and
were soon able to fend for themselves. Some Muhajireen borrowed just enough
money from his 'brother' Ansar to begin trade. Later they were able to repay
their loans and become independent and wealthy Muslims.
The Qur'aan refers to this 'Mua'khaat' as follows:
'Those who believed, and adopted exile and
fought
for the faith, with their
property and their persons, in
the cause of Allah, as well as those who gave
(them) refuge and aid, these are all
brothers one of
another'
(Surah: Anfal v:72)
When in later years, the Jews left Madinah, many of the properties and
orchards were allotted to the Muhajireen and the proclamation on 'inheritance'
during the Mua'khaat was replaced. In every instance, the Muhajireen gratefully
repaid their obligations to Ansaar.
Contents
of the biography of the Prophet Muhammed
Immediately on his arrival in Madinah, Rasulullah 's
first Divine urge was to build a Masjid. The vacant site adjoining the house of
Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansaari (R.A.) was the ideal place. The young Ansaari orphans,
Sahil and Suhailbin Amr Najjari, were the owners of this piece of land. The
orphans and their guardian. Mu'aaz bin Ufra offered to donate the land for the
Masjid. But Rasulullah preferred to buy it and
Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) immediately paid the agreed ten dinars for it.
A few
graves of the idolatrous were leveled out and some date palms were cleared away.
The building of the Masjid had a deep effect on the lives of the Sahaaba (R.A.)
because Rasulullah personally worked like an
ordinary artisan with them. The walls were of mud bricks and the up-right
columns were shaped from trunks of date palms. The leaves of date palms were
used for the roof. The Masjid had three entrances: one was 'Babul Rahmat' (gate
of blessings); another was 'Babul Nabee'(gate of Nabee )
which is today known as 'Babul -Jibra'eel and the third entrance was at
the rear of the building.
In the eastern section of the Masjid were the 'Hoojra' (private apartments)
for the family of Rasulullah .
One was for Hazrat Aisha binte Abu Bakr bin Abu Kuhafa (R.A.) and another or
Hazrat Sauda binte Zam'ah (R.A.). In due course, Rasulullah
sent Hazrat Zaid bin Harith (R.A.) and Hazrat Abu Raa'fe (R.A.) to Makkah with
two camels and five hundred dirhams for provisions and expenses to bring Hazrat
Fatima (R.A.), Hazrat Umme Kulthum (R.A.), Hazrat Sauda binte Zam'ah (R.A.), Hazrat Usaama
bin Zaid (R.A.) and Hazrat Zaid (R.A.)'s mother Hazrat Umme Aymen (R.A.).
Hazrat Zainab binte Muhammed (R.A.) could not come as her husband, Abdul As ibn
Rabi did not give her permission to go to Madinah.
Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.)'s family also arrived at about this time to Madinah
and his daughter Hazrat Aisha binte Abu Bakr (R.A.) was with them. The family of
Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) stayed in the home of Hazrat Harith bin No'maan (R.A.)
from the Banu Najjar clan. The nikah of Rasulullah
to Hazrat Aisha (R.A.) had taken place in Makkah in the tenth year of Nabuwat
after the demise of
Hazrat Khadija binte Khuwaylid (R.A.). Hazrat Aisha (R.A.) was very young at the time.
She went as a bride in the first year of Hijrat to Rasulullah
when Masji-e-Nabawi was ready. Hazrat Aisha binte Abu Bakr (R.A.) was very
intelligent and therefore derived great wisdom and learning in the company of
Rasulullah , who loved her very
dearly. In later years, her knowledge and understanding of Islam in its pure
form proved to be of great inspiration to the Sahaaba (R.A.) and the Tabi'een
(successors of the companions of Rasulullah .)
The sublime character of Hazrat Aisha (R.A.), her devotion to
Rasulullah , her virtue, intelligence
and eloquence was unparalleled in history. She was only eighteen years of age
when Nabi passed away. She related
2210 Ahaadith (recorded words, actions and sanctions of Rasulullah . She passed away in Hijri
57 at the age of sixty five.
In one section of the Masjid, a raised platform was built for the
Ashaab-as-Suffah- this a place made for those poor Muslim who had
dedicated their lives to the cause of Islamic education; theology; preaching of
Islam; memorizing of verses of the Qur'aan as and when revealed to
Rasulullah ; compiling of the
Adhaadith in its pristine form; recording of every action and deed of their
beloved Rasulullah for posterity. Hazrat Abu
Hurairah (R.A.) related that there were 70 Sahaaba who were the people of
Suffah. He was one of them.
They were very humble and very often went without a full meal for the day.
They never stretched their hands to anyone for charity, but labored to earn a
living by collecting firewood and selling it in the market-place to provide food
for all the Companions (R.A.)
When the Masjid was completed, the need arose for regular 'Jamaa'ah'.
Rasulullah asked the Sahaaba (R.A.)
to formulate some method of getting the Muslims together for salaah.
The Ashaab-as-Suffah volunteered to round up the Muslims for salaah, but this
was time consuming and not effective. Other suggestions that came forth were:
the beating of drums; the ringing of the bell like the Christians; the light of
fire like the Zoroastrians; blowing of the horn like the Jews.
Rasulullah rejected all these
suggestions and Hazrat Bilal bin Rabah Habshi (R.A.) was asked to call out
'Assalaatu-Jaamiah' for the time being. In the second year of Hijrat, when the
numbers in the Muslim rank were increasing the need was felt for more effective
manner in which to call the Muslims for prayer. One day, Hazrat Abdullah bin
Zaid (R.A.) in his dream heard an angel instructing him on the wordings of the
'Azaan' (Call To Prayer). He related his experience to Rasulullah who in turn asked Hazrat
Bilal bin Rabah Habshi (R.A.) to learn the words and call the Azaan. When Hazrat
Umar (R.A.) heard the Azaan, he rushed up to Rasulullah
and reported that he had also heard the same Azaan in his dream.
Hazrat
Bilal (R.A.) became the first Muazzin in Islam. The powerful and melodious voice
of Hazrat Bilal (R.A.), issuing from his strong lungs, resounded through the
city of Madinah. The word of the Azaan: 'Allah is great! There is no God but
Allah, Muhammed is the Rasul Of Allah !
Come to Salvation!' The words of the Azaan echoed in all the dwellings, and this
caused every citizen to inhale with delight the refreshing scent of prayer.
At first the 'Qibla' in Madinah was towards Jerusalem, but later Allah
commanded Rasulullah to face the Ka'bah and
perform salaah, Allah says in Sura Baqara:
'We see the turning of your face to the heavens;
now We shall turn you to a Qibla that shall please
you. Turn then your face in the direction of the
sacred Masjid, and wherever you be, turn your face
in that direction'.
(Sura: Baqara v:144)
The calculation of years by the Muslims had begun from the first year of
Nabuwat (Prophethood). However, immediately after the Hijrat of
Rasulullah , the year became known as
Hijrat the first year of Hijrat being the year of the arrival
Rasulullah in Madinah. The name of
the lunar months remained the same as were customary in Arabia before the advent
of Islam. Muharram was the first month, followed by Safar, Rabi-ul-Awwal, Rabi-ul-Aakhir, Jamaadil-Awwal,
Jamaadil-Akhir, Rajab, Sha'baan, Ramadhaan, Shawwal, Zilqa'dah and the last
month Zil-hajj.
The Masjid-e-Nabawi was becoming the center of Islamic activity. The Muslims
were zealously following the principles laid down by Rasulullah
from time to time. The Sahaaba (R.A.) witnessed with great admiration the simple
and solemn marriage ceremony of Rasulullah 's
fifteen years old daughter Hazrat Fatima (R.A.) to his twenty year old cousin
Hazrat Ali bin Abu Talib (R.A.). To raise the money for 'Mehr' (Dowry) Hazrat
Ali (R.A.) sold his 'Zirrah' (chain armour) for 480 dirhams. For his part,
Rasulullah gave his daughter a
'Jehaz'(dowry) comprising of a bamboo and reed bedstead; a quilt of date-palm
leaves; one leather water bag; two grindstones and two earthen water pots.
Hazrat Ali bin Abu Talib (R.A.) lived with Rasulullah
since childhood. Now, that he was married, he was given an apartment by Hazrat
Harith bin No'maan Ansaari (R.A.), whose buildings were situated behind
Masjid-e-Nabawi. As the need arose he donated all these buildings, one after the
other to Rasulullah . These houses were to
become the 'hoojarat' (apartments) of the family of Rasulullah
Rasulullah turned his attention to
the Muhajireen who were newcomers to Madinah. He did not wish them to become a
burden and a liability to the ever hospitable Ansaar. He was also aware that not
all the Ansaar were prosperous and wealthy. But the Muhajireen had sacrificed
their land and homes, their families and friends, their valuables and made
Hijrat for the pleasure of Islam.
Rasulullah assembled the Muhajireen
and the Ansaar in Masjid-e-Nabawi and issued a proclamation.This was in the form
of 'Mua'khaat'(brotherhood) which is hailed as one of the greatest gifts of
Rasulullah to the future Muslims of
the world. He ordained that they should pair off in couples consisting of a man
of the Muhajireen and an Ansaar.
The degree of devotion attained by this brotherhood of religion was stronger
than the ties of blood. All these men's hearts, united in the love of Allah were
now nothing more than a single heart, beating in different breasts. Each man
loved his brother better than himself, and an islamic brotherhood was
established.
Among the brotherly unions, Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) was taken by Hazrat
Kharijah bin Zaid (R.A.); Hazrat Umar (R.A.) by Hazrat Uthman bin Malik; Hazrat
Abu Ubaidah (R.A.) with Hazrat Sa'ad bi Muaz (R.A.) Hazrat Uthman bin Affan
(R.A.) with Hazrat Aus bin Nijjar (R.A.); Hazrat Abudurrahman bin Auf (R.A.)
with Hazrat Sa'ad bin Rabie (R.A.).
The Allah-fearing Muhajireen did not take undue advantage of all the
facilities offered to them. On the contrary, they labored and persevered and
were soon able to fend for themselves. Some Muhajireen borrowed just enough
money from his 'brother' Ansar to begin trade. Later they were able to repay
their loans and become independent and wealthy Muslims.
The Qur'aan refers to this 'Mua'khaat' as follows:
'Those who believed, and adopted exile and
fought
for the faith, with their
property and their persons, in
the cause of Allah, as well as those who gave
(them) refuge and aid, these are all
brothers one of
another'
(Surah: Anfal v:72)
When in later years, the Jews left Madinah, many of the properties and
orchards were allotted to the Muhajireen and the proclamation on 'inheritance'
during the Mua'khaat was replaced. In every instance, the Muhajireen gratefully
repaid their obligations to Ansaar.
Contents
of the biography of the Prophet Muhammed