Immigration is the movement from one place to another, while the Prophet Muhammed’s – may Allah bless him and grant him peace – immigration means the transition from Mecca to Medina.
Allah sent His Messenger Muhammad – PBUH – to inhabitants in Makkah to worship Allah alone.
Beginning of Islam
The call to Islam began secretly. First, few men and women entered the religion of Islam. For this reason, the infidels did not pay any attention to the emerging religion. Still, after The Prophet announced the call to Islam, the inhabitants declared their hostility to Islam.
They tortured the believers to force them to return to polytheism. The harm inflicted on Muslims differed. Some of them had influential people who would ward off harm, while others were too weak to protect themselves.
While Muhammed’s – PBUH – companions were suffering from great harm, Allah allowed them to migrate to Abyssinia, then to Medina.
Muhammed’s – PBUH – friend Abu Bakr, may God be pleased with him, accompanied him in Hijrah’s journey to Madinah.
The Prophet’s Journey to Medina
The people of Medina knew that the Prophet was coming from Mecca. They went out of their homes every day to wait for him.
On the day when the Prophet – PBUH – arrived, Madinah people went out to wait for him as usual. They found no shadow to sit under; then they returned to homes.
Meanwhile, the Prophet – SAW – arrived, and a man saw him. He rushed to the people and informed them of his arrival, so they went out to greet him quickly and overwhelmed with joy.
Al Ansar, The Example of Support and Hospitality
The Madinah people were named Al Ansar, which means the supporters, Thanks to all the support they provided to the Prophet and the immigrant companions.
Upon entering Medina, five hundred supporters met the Prophet – SAW, so he joined the city with a grand procession.
Among those who welcomed the Prophet – SAW – was Al-Bara bin Azeb, may Allah be pleased with him. He described the situation, saying: (I have never seen the Madina’s people rejoice in something that delighted them with the Messenger of Allah, PBUH).
Men and women went out on the roofs of houses, and children spread out in the streets chanting: “The Prophet has come, the Prophet has come.”
Abu Ayyub al-Ansari
All the leaders of the Ansar were looking forward to hosting the Prophet, SAW. Whenever he passed the door of one of them, all of them invited him to go inside. But he apologies to them and asked them to leave the camel because it was commanded.
Finally, the camel sat in front of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari’s house. Then the Prophet – PBUH – opted for his home to stay in.
The Prophet – PBUH – stayed downstairs, and Abu Ayyub and his wife were on the upper floor. He and his wife thought to be above the Prophet, peace be upon him, so he asked the Prophet – PBUH – to go upstairs, and for him and his wife to be on The lower floor, so they are not above him. Still, the Prophet – SAW – asked him to stay in the basement because that is easier for him and for companions – may Allah be pleased with them.
The Prophet – PBUH – remained in the hospitality of Abu Ayyub for seven months, during which Abu Yub was an example of hospitality and Selflessness.
The Ansar, the name which means did everything in their power to host their immigrant brothers, and preferred them over themselves. So they deserved that Allah praised them in the Quran, in Surat Al-Hashr:
(And [also for] those who were settled in al-Madinah and [adopted] the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them and find not any want in their breasts of what the emigrants were given but give [them] preference over themselves, even though they are in privation. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul – it is those who will be the successful.)
