Islamic Brotherhood

“Our mosque has become illuminated. May Allah Almighty also provide you with light. By Allah! If I had another daughter, I would have married her to you.”

Some narrations state that Hazrat ‘Umar al-Faruq رضي الله عنه was the first person to light a lantern in the mosque.

Along with the construction of Masjid an-Nabawi, the Prophet ﷺ had two chambers built for his wives. (The remaining chambers were built later as needed.) One of these two chambers belonged to Sayyidah ‘Aishah al-Siddiqah رضي الله عنها, and the other belonged to Sayyidah Sawdah رضي الله عنها.

In Madinah, the Prophet ﷺ marked out for the Muhajirun those lands that were not owned by anyone; that is, he distributed these lands among them.

Some pieces of land had been gifted to the Prophet ﷺ by the Ansari companions. He also distributed these lands and settled in those places the Muslims who had initially stayed in Quba but later, when they saw that there was not enough space in Quba, had also come to Madinah.

The chambers that the Prophet ﷺ had built for his wives were simple and made of mud. They were constructed from date-palm branches, leaves, and bark, and clay was plastered over them.

Hazrat Hasan al-Basri رحمه الله was a famous Tabi‘i. You already know that a Tabi‘i is one who has seen a Companion.

He says that when he was young, during the caliphate of Hazrat ‘Uthman Ghani رضي الله عنه, he used to enter the chambers of the Mothers of the Believers. Their ceilings were so low that although he was still short at that time, he could touch the ceilings with his hand.

Hazrat Hasan al-Basri رحمه الله was born when two years of the caliphate of Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه were still remaining.

He was the son of Khayrah, the slave woman of the Prophet’s wife, Hazrat Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها.

Hazrat Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها would send him to the Companions رضي الله عنهم for various tasks. The Companions would pray for blessings for him.

Hazrat Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها also took him to Hazrat ‘Umar al-Faruq رضي الله عنه.

Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه prayed for him with these words:

“O Allah! Grant him understanding of the religion and make him beloved among the people.”

The houses of Hazrat Harithah ibn al-Nu‘man surrounded Masjid an-Nabawi on all four sides.

The Noble Prophet ﷺ contracted several marriages during his blessed lifetime, and there were religious wisdoms and benefits behind these marriages.

Whenever the Prophet ﷺ married, Hazrat Harithah رضي الله عنه would gift one of his houses — that is, one chamber — to the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet’s respected wife would then stay in that chamber.

Eventually, Hazrat Harithah رضي الله عنه gradually gifted all of his houses to the Noble Prophet ﷺ in this manner.

During the same period, the Noble Prophet ﷺ made a peace treaty with the Jews in the presence of the Muhajir and Ansar Muslims.

A written document of this treaty was also prepared.

It was agreed in the treaty that the Jews would never fight against the Muslims, would never cause them harm, and would not support anyone against the Noble Prophet ﷺ.

If anyone suddenly attacked the Muslims, the Jews would support the Muslims.

In return for these conditions, the Muslims guaranteed the lives and property of the Jews, as well as freedom in their religious affairs.

The Jewish tribes with whom this treaty was made were Banu Qaynuqa‘, Banu Qurayzah, and Banu Nadir.

Along with this, the Prophet ﷺ established brotherhood between the Muhajirun and the Ansar.

Through this brotherhood, a relationship of love and sincerity was established among the Muslims that was without parallel.

This establishment of brotherhood is called Mu’akhat.

This brotherhood was established at the house of Hazrat Anas ibn Malik رضي الله عنه.

This brotherhood took place after the construction of Masjid an-Nabawi.

On this occasion, the Prophet ﷺ said:

“In the name of Allah, become brothers with one another, two by two.”

After this brotherhood was established, the way the Ansari Muslims treated the Muhajirun will be remembered for all time.

The Muhajirun themselves were so deeply affected by this treatment that they exclaimed:

“O Messenger of Allah! We have never seen people like them. They have shown us such sympathy and compassion, and have treated us with such generosity that there is no example of it.

“Even when there is work and hardship, they keep us separate from it, and when the time comes to receive the reward, they make us equal partners in it.

“We are afraid that they may take all the reward of the Hereafter for themselves.”

Upon hearing this, the Noble Prophet ﷺ said:

“No! This cannot happen as long as you continue praising them and praying for them.”

Some scholars have written that establishing brotherhood was one of the special qualities of the Noble Prophet ﷺ. No Prophet before him had established brotherhood among his followers in this manner.

It is narrated in this regard that the Ansari Muslims gave their Muhajir brothers half of everything they possessed.

If someone had two houses, he gave one to his brother. Likewise, he gave half of everything to his brother.

To such an extent that one Ansari man had two wives. He said to his Muhajir brother:

“I have two wives. I will divorce one of them. After her waiting period (‘iddah) is completed, you can marry her.”

However, the Muhajir Muslim did not accept this offer.

After these matters had been completed, the issue arose of how people should be called to prayer.

The Prophet ﷺ consulted his Companions رضي الله عنهم regarding this matter.

One suggestion was that when the time for prayer arrived, a flag should be raised. When people saw it, they would understand that the time for prayer had arrived and would inform one another.

However, the Noble Prophet ﷺ did not approve of this suggestion.

Then someone suggested that a trumpet should be blown.

The Noble Prophet ﷺ did not approve of this either because this was the method of the Jews.

Then someone suggested that a bell should be rung to make the announcement.

The Prophet ﷺ did not approve of this either because this was the method of the Christians.

Some people suggested that a fire should be lit.

The Prophet ﷺ did not approve of this suggestion either because this was the method of the Magians.

One suggestion was that a person should be appointed who would walk around when the time for prayer arrived.

Thus, this opinion was accepted, and Hazrat Bilal رضي الله عنه was appointed as the announcer.

Around the same days, Hazrat ‘Abdullah ibn Zayd رضي الله عنه had a dream.

He saw a man wearing two green garments, and in his hand was a bell (trumpet).

Hazrat ‘Abdullah ibn Zayd رضي الله عنه says that he asked him:

“Are you selling this bell?”

He asked:

“What will you do with it?”

I said:

“We will ring it and gather the people for prayer.”

Upon this, he said:

“Shall I not tell you of a better method than this?”

I said:

“Certainly, tell me.”

Then he said:

“Call the people together by proclaiming these words.”

And he repeated the words of the Adhan — that is, he recited the complete Adhan and made him hear it.

Then he also explained the manner of saying the Iqamah.

When morning came, Hazrat ‘Abdullah ibn Zayd رضي الله عنه went to the Prophet ﷺ and narrated his dream to him.

After hearing the dream, the Prophet ﷺ said:

“Indeed! This is a true dream, Insha’Allah. Go and teach these words to Bilal so that he may give the Adhan with them. His voice is louder than yours and also more beautiful.”

Hazrat ‘Abdullah رضي الله عنه came to Hazrat Bilal رضي الله عنه and taught him the words.

Hazrat Bilal then gave the Adhan for the morning prayer.

Thus, the first Adhan was given for the Fajr prayer.