Riasat-e-Madina

Migration to Madinah September 622 -Founding the Community—The Ummah

After settling down, Muhammad attended to his duties as the arbitrator. The restless and turbulent disposition of the Arabs and the deep-rooted customs and norms, ancient feuds, and hostility, were difficult to go away, but through structural reforms. Arabs have been pastoral nomads since the time of Abraham. They spent four months, from July to September, around the wells of their tribal territory.[1] With the fall of the first rain In October, they would leave for the green lands. Bedouins lead a simple life. A single family lived in a tent made of goat’s hair or sheep’s wool. Several tents or families made a clan, and many clans linked by blood relationships made a tribe. Life in the Arabian Peninsula, a vast rectangle of more than a million square miles between Africa and Asia, depended on the tribes. [2] The adult males chose their chief and the tribal heads govern people according to ancient customs and defend them against enemies. The Pride of descent was strong among the people.[3] To preserve the unity and purity of the family, they married first cousins, mostly. Wars among different tribes were never-ending. The fierce competition for the possession of wells, sheep, camels, and pastures, the only wealth of a nomad people, constantly incited one tribe to launch a raid on the territory of another. Arabs recognized no supreme public authority.[4] A crime committed by a member of one tribe against a member of another often triggered a vicious blood feud that persisted for years.

The principle of the blood feud maintained the security of life. [5] If anyone injured or killed a member of another group, he was entitled to revenge, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and a life for a life.[6] After satisfying vengeance by killing members of the offending group, the two groups should have lived in peace, but not necessarily, as there was no binding law, and no authority.

In Makkah, this tribal system of revenge worked well because of the Quraish’s quality of patience, wisdom, concern for material prosperity, and self-control.[7] But in Madinah, a disorganized collection of hamlets and houses, farms, and fortified huts scattered over an oasis, it failed miserably. Muhammad brought the Islamic Revolution to Quran. He changed the social fabric of society by introducing massive social reforms based on the divine book. Under new laws, the penalty was not to be greater than the action for which it was a penalty. However, it was encouraged to be content with a lesser penalty or to forgive altogether.[8] It was a custom to kill a certain number of female children because of poverty. The Quran denounced it as a great sin and encouraged men to trust in God to provide for their needs. The new laws defined land rights, inheritance, and civil matters. In the pre-Islamic era, there was no definite institution of marriage. Women could remain in their family house after the marriage and their husbands visit them. A woman often had several such visiting husbands, some of them probably concurrently.[9] Open marriages were part of the custom. Sometimes, a man and woman of the same tribe married and lived in the same house. The man sometimes visited a woman of another tribe, and the woman also received strangers. There were examples when one man married four women. who already had two or three husbands. Marriage to two sisters was also common. Muhammad introduced Nikah, a comprehensive marriage law, establishing clear rules for divorce and the rights of wives. Marriage to his mother, his daughter, his sister half-sister, his aunt (paternal or maternal), his brother’s or sister’s daughter, his wife’s mother or daughter, or his father’s or son’s wife became a major sin. Milk-relationship became equal to the blood relationship and marriage with a foster mother or foster sister became illegal. In pre-Islam times, women could not own property, the new laws allowed the woman to have property, and share in the inheritance. ?The new decree strictly prohibited usury or interest.

The new regulations discouraged slavery and encouraged set people free from bondage, especially Muslims. The concept of Ummah and brotherhood among Muslims made it impossible for a Muslim to make a slave of another Muslim and aided the movement for the mitigation and abolition of slavery.[10] The prophet’s presence had the most beneficial results for Madinah. The two arch-rival tribes of the Khazraj and the Aus became united under the new faith, as the faithful helpers of God’s messenger.[11] Muhammad’s greatest contribution was the establishment of an Islamic community or Ummah. The new society was based on a common religious allegiance and not on any blood relationship.[12] All Muslims became a single community, standing united against unbelievers, under the authority of Muhammad, who governed them according to the teaching of the Quran. ?The foundation of Islamic society was equality. In the last sermon, Prophet summarized his whole doctrine in the following words. There is no god but Allah, One, there is no partner with Him. His is the Sovereignty. to Him praise is due. and He is Powerful over everything. There is no god but Allah alone, Who fulfilled His promise, helped His servant and routed the confederates alone.[13]

“O, people! Truly, there is only one God and you are all the offspring of Adam. ?Beware, no Arab is superior to a non-Arab and no non-Arab is superior to an Arab. Similarly, no white man is superior to a black man, or a black man superior to a white man. True superiority is only to a God-fearing person, Muhammad said.[14]

Prophet abolished the blood revenge and usury of the Days of Ignorance. He warned his people to take care of their wives with food clothes and a kind attitude. Muhammad advised his men to hold Quran steadily. “I have left among you the Book of Allah, and if you hold fast to it, you would never go astray. [15]

Muhammad declared all Muslims brother of another Muslim. He said It is not lawful for a person to take from his brother except that which he has given him willingly. Prophet during the last sermon announced he may not meet his people again at that place next year. Muhammad prayed to God to keep his face fresh and convey Muhammad's message to people who have not heard him.[16] During the sermon, God announced that Islam has been completed. Verse 5:3, known as the last verse of the Quran is important in many aspects, especially its last three lines. “Forbidden unto you (for food) are carrion and blood and swineflesh, and that which hath been dedicated unto any other than Allah, and the strangled, and the dead through beating, and the dead through falling from a height, and that which hath been killed by (the goring of) horns, and the devoured of wild beasts, saving that which ye make lawful (by the death-stroke), and that which hath been immolated unto idols. And (forbidden is it) that ye swear by the divining arrows. This is an abomination. This day is those who disbelieve in despair of (ever harming) your religion; so fear them not, fear Me! This day have I perfected your religion for you and completed My favour unto you, and have chosen for you as religion al-Islam. Whoso is forced by hunger, not by will, to sin: (for him) lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful”.[17]

Scholars are surprised despite many sermons on human fraternity equality and freedom, it was only Muhammad who could create a society based on the lofty principles outlined in his sermons. H.G.Wells is very critical of Muhammad in his famous work, but when he discusses Islam, he admits Muhammad founded a great religion.[18] The English writer also admits that Muhammad for the first time in the history of mankind created a society based on the lofty principles outlined in his sermons.[19] The whole transformation of the Muslim society revolved around the leadership of one man, who keeps on performing multiple roles. ?In the streets he is full of patience, inviting people towards his religion, tolerating all abuse, but on the battlefield, this humble man becomes a furious General. Muhammad was the godfather of the new nation, but the most adored leader did menial labour jobs along with his men.

We saw him constructing the Mosque in Madinah; we heard his verses digging hard day and night, empty stomach, carrying bags on his shoulders, along with his men, during the battle of trench. The core of Islamic doctrine is an independent and distinct system of belief, comprising Iman, religious belief, acts of worship Ibadat and Ihsan, the right-doing. There are five pillars of Islam. The primary is to worship Allah (alone) and deny all other gods beside him and accept Muhammad, as the Messenger of Allah. The remaining four are the establishment of prayer, the payment of Zakat, the Pilgrimage to the House, and the fast of Ramadan.[20] In Islam, the conception of God is supreme. Over, ninety per cent of Islamic theology has to do with Allah. He is the one true God. He is the supreme reality, the preexistent, the creator, and the omniscient, omnipotent.[21] Quran is the word of Allah dictated through Gabriel to Muhammad. It’s every word, and every letter is divine. Muhammad, besides founding the Ummah, injected a religious doctrine of selflessness into the minds of his people, transforming them into top achievers in warfare, business, science, and arts. Muhammad developed a powerful institution of jihad among his followers. Prophet gave the commission to his followers to fight, till all the people convert to Islam. He injected a doctrine of Holy war among his followers, bounding every Muslim to aid, if young, by personal service, if rich and advanced in years, by the contribution of horses, arms, or money. Prophet often used to say that one who died but did not fight in the way of Allah, nor did he express any desire for Jihad died the death of a hypocrite.

Historians are surprised that none in the known history of humanity presents any parallel to this great Muslim performance. Henry Wills Smith expresses his astonishment in these words. “The annals of the world present no parallel to this recital; the Arabs were animated by an enthusiasm which made them despise the most fearful odds; they had ever in their mouths the magnificent Orientalism ascribed to Mohammed, in the shades of the scimitars is paradise prefigured; they sought battle as a feast and counted danger a sport.

The key element behind Muslim gallantry was the powerful corporate feeling, the ever-increasing enthusiasm for the faith even in those who converted later. It was the firm conviction among the warriors for the holy cause that death would bring the most delightful of terrestrial joys in heaven. ?The word jihad is derived from Arabic, the second form of isimmasdar of jaahada, yujaahidu, mujaahadatan and hihaadan which means "Work wholeheartedly". Another meaning of the word jaahada is sincerity or great effort. According to scholars, jihad means to fight the enemy, to devote all the ability and energy in the form of words, deeds or anything, someone could, in facing the enemy.[22]

For a man best Jihad is when his blood is shed and his horse is wounded in the cause of God.[23] The best fighting (jihad) in the path of Allah is to speak a word of justice to an oppressive ruler.[24] For women, the best Jihad is Hajj Mabrur.[25] Western writers often express surprise at how Muhammad became a warrior when he migrated to Madinah. It was based on the Quranic verse that Muhammad started his military career. [26] Starting from Badr, on Friday, 17th Ramadan, 2 AH, Muhammad undertook nineteen battles and fought in eight, namely, Badr, Uhud, Al-Ahzab, Al muraisi, Qadid, Khyber, the conquest of Makkah and Hunain.[27]

[1](J.J.Saunders, A History of Medieval Islam 3)

[2](A History of Medieval Islam 1-3)

[3](A History of Medieval Islam 4)

[4](M. Watt 263)

[5](W. M. Watt, Muhammad at Medina 261)

[6](Watt 262)

[7](Muhammad at Medina 264)

[8]?(Quran 5:45) And We ordained for them therein a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds is legal retribution. But whoever gives [up his right as] charity, it is an expiation for him. And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed - then it is those who are the wrongdoers. Quran 5:45 -Saheeh International – See Also Quran 16:126

[9](Muhammad at Medina 272)

[10](Muhammad at Medina 296)

[11](Williams, The Historians History of the World: Parthians, Sassanids, and Arabs 118)

[12](W. M. Watt, Muhamamd at Medina 267)(The Historians History of the World: Parthians, Sassanids, and Arabs 291)

[13](Sahih Muslim 1218a Book 7, Hadith 2803)

[14](al-Ya'qubi 175)

[15](The Last Sermon Of Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h.))

[16](al-Yaqoubi 174)

[17](Quran 5:3 Picthall)

[18](H. G. Wells, Outline of History 269)

[19][19](H. Wells 269)

[20]Islam is based on five (pillars), testifying the fact that there is no true god except Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establishing the prayers, paying Zakat (poor due), the pilgrimage to Kaaba and fasting during the month of Ramadan.(Riyad as-Salihin 1271, Book 10, Hadith 1)

[21](Sahih Muslim 16b, Book 1, Hadith 19)

[22](Arnold)

[23](Sunan Ibn Majah 2794, Vol. 4, Book 24, Hadith 2794)

[24](Sunan Abi Dawud 4344, Book 38, Hadith 4330)

[25](Sahih al-Bukhari 1520, Vol. 2, Book 26, Hadith 595)

[26](Quran 22:39) Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought,1 because they were wronged. And indeed, Allah is competent to give them victory.(trans. Saheeh International)

[27](The Battles of the Prophet, Trans of Ghazwat Rasul by Ibn kathir)