Seerah | Lecture 13 | First Year after Hijrah

The work details the events of the first year after the Hijrah, focusing on the arrival of the Prophet Muhammad in Madinah, the construction of the first mosques, and the establishment of the early Muslim community. It describes the Prophet’s stay in Quba, his entry into Madinah, and the subsequent efforts to integrate the Muhajirin (migrants) and the Ansar (helpers). The account emphasizes the Prophet’s personal labor in building places of worship, his interactions with the Jewish population, and the consolidation of the city as Darul Islam.

The narrative also covers the arrival of the Prophet’s family from Makkah, the marriage and Rukhsati of Sayyida Aisha, and the Prophet’s residence in the house of Abu Ayyub Ansari. It highlights the transition of the city's name from Yathrib to Taibah and the social and religious practices established during this period, including the first Jumu'ah prayer and the communal obligations of greeting and feeding others.

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Key topics & takeaways

Masjid al-Quba

• Foundation — The Prophet built the first mosque of his Prophethood on land belonging to Kulthum ibn Hidm in Quba ▸2:42.
• Personal labor — The Prophet physically carried heavy stones for the construction, often leaning under their weight, and insisted on working despite the Sahaba's requests for him to rest ▸4:34.
• Divine approval — The mosque is identified as the one built on piety from the first day, as referenced in Surah al-Tawbah, verse 108 ▸5:10.
• Chanting — During construction, the Prophet and the Sahaba recited poetry regarding the success of those who build mosques and worship Allah ▸6:06.

Arrival in Madinah

• Duration in Quba — The Prophet stayed in Quba for either 14 or 24 days before departing for Madinah on a Friday ▸7:08.
• First Jumu'ah — The Prophet led the first Jumu'ah prayer at a mosque built by the Bani Salim tribe, marking the transition of the city to Darul Islam ▸7:55.
• The She-camel — Upon entering Madinah, the Prophet allowed his she-camel to walk freely, stating it was under divine instruction, until it stopped at the house of Abu Ayyub Ansari ▸12:47.
• Residence — The Prophet chose to stay on the ground floor of Abu Ayyub Ansari’s house to avoid disturbing the host and his family on the upper floor ▸14:23.

Naming and Status of Madinah

• Name change — The Prophet stated that Allah renamed the city from Yathrib (associated with destruction) to Taibah (purity) ▸15:01.
• Prohibition of the old name — Calling the city Yathrib is considered Makruh, and if done with the intent of disrespecting the Prophet, it is viewed as a loss of Iman ▸16:35.
• Superiority — While scholars differ on the overall superiority of Makkah versus Madinah, the earth touching the Prophet’s body is considered the most superior part of the world ▸19:04.

Community and Conversion

• Jewish population — The Jewish community in Madinah was aware of the Prophet’s arrival through their scriptures ▸21:11.
• Abdullah ibn Salam — A Jewish leader and scholar who converted to Islam upon seeing the Prophet’s face, realizing it was not the face of a liar ▸23:29.
• Prophetic instructions — Upon his arrival, the Prophet instructed the people to spread Salam, feed the hungry, and pray at night while others sleep to ensure entry into Paradise ▸24:02.
• The Ansar and Muhajirin — The Prophet expressed deep love for both groups, stating that loving the Ansar is loving him, and harming them is harming him ▸11:35.

Masjid al-Nabawi and Family

• Land acquisition — The Prophet purchased land for the Prophet’s Mosque from two orphans, paying them from the wealth of Abu Bakr Siddiq to ensure they were fairly compensated ▸32:15.
• Construction — The mosque was built with brick walls, palm-tree pillars, and a roof of date palm leaves that did not fully shield against rain ▸35:07.
• Ashab al-Suffah — A group of impoverished, homeless Sahaba lived on a raised platform within the mosque ▸37:26.
• Prophetic household — The Prophet built two small, simple rooms for his wives, Sayyida Sauda and Sayyida Aisha ▸39:19.
• Walima — The Prophet celebrated the Rukhsati of Sayyida Aisha with a simple Walima consisting of only a bowl of milk ▸41:35.