Lessons to learn

• The fact that Suraqah caught up with the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam but was unable to stop him yet again illustrated the divine protection of Allah.

• The prediction of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam wherein he predicted the downfall of Chosroes was yet another proof of his prophethood. A man fleeing for his life would never dare make such a claim unless he was divinely inspired. The fulfilment of this prophecy further proved the truth of his prophethood.

A blessed Host

While travelling, the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and Abu Bakr Radhi Allahu Anhu passed by the tent of Umm Ma'bad, a woman of Khuza'a, who had a goat but its udders had dried up because of the drought. The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam touched its udder and taking the name of Allah he prayed that Umm Ma'bad be blessed. The goat immediately began to give milk. He first gave Umm Ma'bad and the others to drink until they were satisfied and he drank last of all. He milked it a second time and when the vessel was full he left it with her. When Abu Ma'bad, her husband, came back and his wife told him about the angelic stranger, he replied: "By Allah, he appears to be the same man of the Quraish whom they are searching for."

Arrival in Madinah

The people of Madinah, young and old, would come out into the blazing heat of the Arabian sun to scan the horizon for any signs of the arrival from Makkah of the last of all prophets. When he did not arrive, they returned to their homes to renew their watch the following morning. Among the people of Madinah were many Christians and Jews because they were expecting a prophet as promised in their holy books. There were also those who were anxious and curious to see what the new prophet of Allah looked like. His name had become very popular throughout Arabia and all the surrounding countries.

A Jew watching on a tower greeted their arrival in Quba, a town situated five kilometres to the south of Madinah. When he saw the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam he called out: "O Muslims, here comes the saviour whom you were waiting for." (3)

The Muslims in Quba warmly welcomed the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. During his stay in Quba, the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam laid the foundation of the first masjid in Islam, Masjid-al-Quba. The land belonged to Kulthum Ibn Hadm, the chief of the leading family in Quba. In constructing the masjid, the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam carried heavy stones with his own pious hands. Allah Ta'ala refers to this masjid in the Qur’aan: “There is a masjid whose foundation was laid from the first day on piety”. (Surah Taubah, verse 108)

While in Quba, Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu joined the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu had been severely ill-treated by the Quraish after their disappointment at the Prophet's Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam escape. He finally fled from Makkah and journeyed on foot hiding himself in the daytime and travelling at night.

The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam entered Madinah on Friday 12th Rabiul Awwal 623 C.E. He led the first Jumu’ah Salaah and delivered the first Jumu’ah Khutba (sermon) in Madinah in an open field, known as the Ranuna Valley, close to where the Banu Salim were staying. In later years, a masjid was built on this site.

Remounting his camel, the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam proceeded further into Madinah. Since many people had not seen him before, Abu Bakr Radhi Allahu Anhu discreetly kept behind the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and every now and then placed a sheet over him to shelter him from the scorching sun. This showed the people the difference between himself and the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. (4)

Bara Ibn Aazib Radhi Allahu Anhu explained the Prophet's Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam entry into Madinah:

“The entry of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam into Madinah was a sight no one had ever seen before and will never see again." (5)

The delight, joy, cheerfulness, lustre and splendour on the Prophet's Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam entry into Madinah is beyond description. In true Arabian tradition, the little girls of the Banu Najjar tribe of Madinah sang welcome songs of joy from the roof-tops. They praised Allah for sending them a prophet :

“The full moon has risen on us
From behind Thanniyat-ul-Wida (the Farewell Mountain Pass).
We are duty bound to thank Allah
So long as one is in our midst who calls us to Allah. (6)

The people of Madinah jostled and struggled with each other in their eagerness to persuade the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam to be their guest. Among them were the tribe of Banu Adee, the relatives of Abdul Muttalib, who claimed the right of hospitality to him. But, the Prophet's Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam reply was the same to everyone :

“Leave al-Qaswa (the name of his camel), she is under divine command and I will only dismount where she kneels down”. The camel stopped at an uncultivated site that belonged to two orphans of the Banu Najjar, the clan to which Bibi Aaminah, the mother of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, belonged.

Nearby this vacant ground was the house of Abu Ayub Ansaari Radhi Allahu Anhu. Abu Ayub Ansaari Radhi Allahu Anhu was overjoyed to extend his hospitality to the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. He asked the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam to stay on top and he would stay at the bottom out of respect but the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam preferred to stay at the bottom. (7)

He later explained : "We used to prepare the evening meal for the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and send it to him. Umm Ma'bad and I used to eat from the place where the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam had eaten in order to partake of the barakah (blessing). Once we broke a jar of water. We mopped up the water with our only cloth to prevent water falling from the second floor onto the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and causing him difficulty." (8)

The Prophet Sallalhu Alaihi Wasallam lived in the house of Ayub Ansaari Radhi Allahu Anhu for seven months.

Lessons to learn

• Both the Ansaar and Muhajireen Muslims were very pleased to see the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam reach Madinah safely. Madinah came to a standstill with the men, women and children all leaving their activities and welcoming him as the most honourable guest they had ever seen. The happiness of the Muslims was obvious. The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was a prophet who had removed them from darkness to light. It was undoubtedly the happiest of welcomes in all of human history.

• Wherever the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam settled the first thing he did was establish a masjid. When he first reached Quba he built a masjid. When he reached Madinah as well the first thing he did was build a masjid. This shows the importance of a masjid in Islam.

• Abu Ayub's Radhi Allahu Anhu love and respect was apparent from all his interactions with the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. He tried his utmost to gain from the barakah and make life as easy as possible for him.

Dua for Cure from Illness

Meaning : O Sustainer of people, remove the difficulty and grant cure. You alone can cure. There is no cure besides Your cure. Grant such a cure that leaves no trace of illness.

Sunnah

When the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam used to fall ill he used to read the four 'quls' while passing his hand over his own blessed body and after reading he used to blow on his body. (Muslim)