The Beginnings

According to scholars and historians, before the Hijrah (emigration from Makkah to Madeenah) of Prophet Muhammad and his Companions Madeenah was not much of a developed or urbanized city, that is, in the demographic, construction and business sense.

It is said that the Amalekites lead by their king Yathrib Mahlaeil, were the first to establish a settlement in the area of Madeenah. It is believed that the Madeenah's earliest name, Yathrib, mentioned in the Quran in the chapter of Al-Ahzaab [33:13], came from the first name of that Amalekite king. The Amaleeq were an ancient nomadic Arab descendants of Sham (Sam), the son of Prophet Noah . The area's current name, the Madeenah, which means the city, was mentioned twice in the chapter of At-Tawbah [9:101 and 120], and once in the chapter of Al-Munaafiqoon [63:8].

Because Madeenah and the area surrounding it were a fertile land with abundant water, vegetables and fruits, later, it became a point of attraction for emigrants from neighboring areas. Maenians, Persian, Greek and Byzantine settlers were known to have crossed the area at different times. Then the two Qahtaani Arab tribes, Al-Aws and Al-Khazraj, emigrated from Yemen to the Madeenah and the surrounding vicinity. There is strong historical evidence that Al-Aws and Al-Khazraj emigrated to Madeenah after the destruction of their Saba’ (Sheba) kingdom in Yemen. Descendants of these two tribes comprised the majority of the inhabitants of Madeenah at the time of Hijrah, and it is they who helped Muslims emigrate and settle in it. Jews also settled in the area, bringing their religious culture, commerce and ways of life. They lived in fortresses—not previously known in the area—and had farms around their dwellings.

Thus, before Hijrah, Madeenah consisted of a group of small residential communities, with much wars and conflict and no ties among them.

Prophet Muhammad's father, ‘Abdullah, died a few months before his son's birth (in 570 C.E), on his way back from a business trip to Ash-Shaam (now Syria). ‘Abdullah was buried in Madeenah. In 575 C.E, the Prophet's mother, Aaminah bint Wahb, died on her way back from a trip to Madeenah where she and her child, Muhammad were visiting with the Prophet's maternal uncles from the Madeenan clan of Banu An-Najjaar. After Aaminah's death, Abdul Muttalib, the Prophet's loving and caring grandfather, brought his nephew, Muhammad back to Makkah.

In the year 622 C.E, the Messenger of Allah made Hijrah to Madeenah. His coming ushered in an era of peace and prosperity; for the enmity amongst its groups was removed once and for all, and Madeenah itself turned into an urbanized residential community lead by one leader, and focusing on one mission, that is: serving and spreading the message of Islam.

The Prophet at Madeenah

Without the Ansaar (Muslim people of Madeenah ), not much could have been achieved in establishing Islam. Their assistance was a mercy from Allah, and their role an infinite source of wisdom and learning. That is why there are many Quranic verses and Prophet’s narrations indicating that one cannot truly be a Muslim without loving and respecting the Ansaar. In one narration, the Prophet said about the Ansaar: “None loves them except a believer, and none hates them except a hypocrite. Whoever loves them, Allah loves him; and whoever hates them, Allah despises him." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

This can be appreciated by learning the history of Islam and the biography of the Ansaar of Madeenah. They played a unique role in establishing the religion of Islam, not only in Arabia, but also throughout the whole world. Learning about Madeenah, in essence, is learning about the Ansaar and vice versa. The two are inseparably connected.

This indivisibility is still evident today. When in Madeenah, a visitor may still seem to see and experience the same Ansaari spirit and dedication in its people. Some have attributed that to the environment created by the presence of Allah's Messenger which seems to over shadow everything else in the minds and hearts of those who live in Madeenah. Others relate it to the culture of the belief and faith, which is always strongly present in Madeenah, and tends to inspire its people to follow the example of their ancestors, the true Ansaar of this religion. Imam Al-Bukhari narrated that the Prophet indicated that Madeenah has a way of cleaning itself from ‘bad’ people in the same way fire cleans iron ore from non-iron-bearing components.

When Madeenah was ready to receive the Muslims, the Prophet ordered his followers to emigrate to it. Most of the Scholars are of the opinion that Hijrah was the main turning point in all of the history of Islam. A brief account of the main events of the decade the Prophet lived in Madeenah is provided in the following historical highlights.

Historical Highlights in Madeenah

A brief listing of the main events for the period starting with Hijrah until the death of the Prophet - 622 C.E to 632 C.E /1 A.H to 11 A.H. All events are listed in the correct chronological order but without specifying a corresponding date because some of these dates are difficult to establish accurately.

First year:

* Mus’ab ibn ‘Umayr arrives in Madeenah as a special envoy from the Prophet .

* Hijrah and arrival of the Prophet in Madeenah 622 C.E, first year of Hijrah.

* Building of the Qubaa’ mosque. The first Friday sermon and prayer established.

* The Prophet's Mosque was built.

* A brotherhood pledge between the Muhaajiroon (Makkan emigrants) and Ansaar was established. All supporters of the Prophet were included, poor, rich, Arabs, non-Arabs, slaves and free.

Second year:

* Changing of the direction of Qiblah from Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa in Al-Quds (Jerusalem) to Al-Masjid Al-Haraam in Makkah.

* Fasting prescribed.

* Battle of Badr took place in month of Ramadan.

* Peace accords between the Muslims and local communities were signed.

Third year:

* Alcohol Prohibited.

* Battle of Uhud took place in the month of Shawwaal.

* The Madeenah covenant for cooperation, harmony and peaceful coexistence for all communities of the city signed by all parties.

Fourth year:

* Incident of the Ifk (falsehood accusation), Quranic revelation testifies to ‘Aa’ishah’s innocence.

* Battle of the Trench.

* Intensive Da’wah provided to neighboring tribes of Madeenah

* Tayammum (dry ablution) prescribed.

Fifth year:

* Battle of Banu Quraydhah.

* Death of Sa’d ibn Mu’aath .

* Salaat Al-Kawf (fear prayer) prescribed

* Envoys to world leaders (Rome, Athens, Egypt and Persia) dispatched.

Sixth year:

* Hajj prescribed. Also, the rulings of Tahaarah (purification).

* Treaty of Hudaibiyah signed.

* Pledge of Ridhwaan took place.

* Agreements signed with local tribes.

* Treaty signed with the People of the Book.

Seventh year:

* Battle of Khaybar.

* Abu Hurayrah accepted Islam.

* ‘Umrah performed for the first time.

* Peace accords signed with more neighboring tribes.

Eighth year:

* Zaynab daughter of the Prophet died.

* Makkah conquered, and Makkans accepted Islam.

* Battle of Hunayn.

* More envoys sent outside Arabia.

Ninth year:

* This year was named the ‘Year of Delegations’ because of the many delegations sent to Madeenah by the tribes that accepted Islam.

* Abu Bakr lead Muslims to Hajj.

* Battle of Tabook.

* ‘Abdullah ibn Salool, chief of the hypocrites, died.

Tenth year:

* Farewell Hajj and Khutbah (sermon).

* Riba (usury or interest) prohibited.

* Justice for all emphasized.

* Lunar calendar corrected.

* Ibraaheem, the Prophet’s son, died.

* Delegations continued to pour into Madeenah.

Eleventh year:

* The Prophet died.

* Faatimah Prophet’s daughter, died six months later.

* Abu Bakr was named a Caliph.