Lecture 15

1. Lecture 15 Road map to Al Madinah . . .

2. MasjedAlaqsa was also first Qiblah . . . • A leader in Al Madinah, who had accepted Islam by the name of Al BaraaibnMa’roor came to the Muslims and said, “I have an idea and I want your opinon. I don’t feel comfortable turning my back towards this building in prayer [the ka’abah—in Madinah they gave they back to it and faced jerusalem].” Ka’abibnMalek said, “the Prophet of Allah is praying towards Jerusalem and we don’t want to contradict him.” So Al Baraa said, “I am going to pray towards the Ka’bah” And he did.

3. When they got to Al Madinah Al Baraa said, “O my nephew let’s go to Rasool Allah and tell him about what I have been doing in this journey. The disapproval I have seen in you has somewhat disturbed me.” So, they asked in Makkah where Muhammad (saw) was and they asked them “Have you seen him before?” They said, “No! They asked, “Do you know Al Abbas his uncle?” they said, “Yes, we used to see him in Madinah in business trips.”

4. They said, “You will find Al Abbas sitting next to Muhammad in the masjed.” So Ka’abibnMalek went there . . . Muhammad asked,“Abu Al Fadhl do you know these two men.” Al Abbas “ Said yes, this is Ka’abibnMalek and this is Al BaraaibnMa’roor the leader of his people.”

5. Ka’abibnMalek said, “I will never forget what the Prophet said next, ‘do yo you mean the poet’” Why such a big deal? Because Prophet heard about him, so proud and happy, his leader the man whom he meets for the first time had heard of him. Maybe even read his works

6. AL Baraa asks the Prophet (saw) “I have come to Islam with the guidance of Allah and I have been praying ever since towards the Ka’abah and my friends disapprove of it.” Prophet (saw) said, “You aleardy have a quiblah and you should have kept it.” Since then he did –in Makkah facing Jerusalem was facing towards the Ka’abah.

7. Let’s continue . . . • The Prophet (saw) met the youth of Al Madinah—this time they were 12 again—at the same time the following year, on the same day. • He made a pledge with them—called the 1st pledge of the Aqaba [also known as Pledge of the Women—because it did not include Jihad] • The Prophet (SAWS) sent with them, Mus'abIbn-Umayr the first ambassador in Islam.

8. Mus'abIbn-Umayr • He was noble, rational, young (28 years old), distinguished, and handsome. • He stayed at the house of Assa’dIbn-Zorarah, and he started to teach people their religion, and to spread the good manners of Islam in al-Madinah. • Consequently, the people loved the teachings and the manners of Islam, and the result was that the number of Muslims increased.

9. Why stay with Assa’dIbn-Zorarah? He had connections with both the tribes in Al Madinah—the cousin of head of the Aws [Sa’adibnMuadh] but from Khazraj.

10. Islam of AusayedibnKhudair . . . • He was one of the chiefs of the Aws and he was asked by Sa’adibnMoadh to go and kick Mus’abibnUmayr out of where they were sitting—in AWS LAND! • so he went out carrying his spear. As’ad told Mus’ab “this is a leader of his people, be sincere with him. If he becomes muslim then his people will.”

11. Mus’ab said, “If he listens I will.” • So here comes Usayd carrying his spear, speaking harshly, “we don’t want you around here misleading the weak and ignorant around us. If you care about your lives you better get out of here and here I my spear.” • One of the attendees of the halaqa, started an argument, “you are the ones misleading us” and …

12. Mus’ab said calmly, “why don’t you sit down and listen to us. If you like it, good. If you don’t then it’s up to you.” Usayd said, ‘fair enough” and sat down after sticking his spear in the sand. Mus’ab read Qur’an explained Islam and As’ad said, “Even without him uttering a word we could see Islam entering his heart. Because of the calmness of his face, and the radiance in his heart”

13. Usayd asks, “What does one have to do to enter your religion?” • Mus’ab said, “wash yourself and you come and pray.” And he did. • Usaydsaid, “Now I will send you a man, if you can convince him all of his people will follow him.”

14. Usayd went to Sa’adibnMuadh who said, “by Allah he has come back with a face different than the one he has left with [Firasa—are of reading the face. Shafii went to Yemen to learn this art]” • Usayd said, “everything is fine, slight problem however. Banu Al Harith [branch of al Khazraj] want to kill As’adibnZorarah because he is your cousin.”

15. He just wanted him to go and listen, do he was angry—”you haven’t done me any good” and headed there. • Came with anger. As’ad said, “This is a leader of his people. Do your best with him.” • When Sa’ad came and saw the meeting, he could discern that he had been duped. Did not seem they were terrified, as naturally as a plot to kill would fathom.

16. Sa’adibnMuadh told As’ad his cousin, “Why are you taking advantage of being my cousin and bringing this man into my territory. Why do you bring him to mislead the ignorant and weak among us.” • Mus’ab said, “why not sit down and listen to me, if you like it accept it, if you don’t like it you reject it.”

17. They were willing to listen— • As’ad said, “ I could tell he wanted to accept Islam after listening to • Went to his people immediately and said them, “What if your opinion of me.”

18. They said, “You are the wisest among us and you are our leader.” He said “None of you speak to me and none are of me until you accept Islam. “ The narrator says, “By the end of that evening every house in BaniAsh’hal [branch of Al Aws] became Muslim.” Huge breakthrough with the Aws.

19. Let’s continue . . . • The next year, the six brought along another six; eight of the twelve were from Al-Khazraj while four were from Al-Aws. Throughout the past year, the two tribes managed to improve their relationshipforthe sake of Islam—they did it for the sake of Islam. Overcame their differences for the sake of Islam . . .

20. Today’s lecture is about . . . The final pact between the Prophet (saws) and Al-Ansar from Madinah, to aid Islam and to prepare for the Muslim’s immigration to Madinah.

21. Situation in Al Madinah . . . . Every house in Al Madinah has at least a Muslim or two in it by the end of that year. Thus, Islam spread, a year passed, and today’s we are in year 12. How does the Prophet (saw) know? Mus’ab, his ambassador, sends him news about the situation in Al Madinah.

22. We are in Hajj season again in yr. 12 • Mus'abIbn-Umayr is coming back to Makkah with a delegation representing the Muslims of Madinah. [The prophet (SAWS) tried to make use of that season in spite of the fact that it was then the time of worship to the disbelievers. Thus, he turned it into a chance, and turned that chance to a point of strength—in the science of managements this is known as SWOT analysis, which is the method by which you measure Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats]

23. Meeting was carefully planned . . . • to guarantee the safety of the delegation, which now grew to include 73 people, and to prevent Quraysh from knowing about it, something that could abort the meeting and the whole immigration. • The Prophet (saw) was determined to meet them in person for them to deal with matters. The Prophet (saws) wanted to meet that brave group of people who believed in him without seeing him and who were risking everything to meet him.

24. Delegation from Al Madinah was . . • to join convoy of non-muslimscoming form Madinah and heading to Makkah to perform Hajj. So, they were going to blend in with the society for a purpose [isolation not part of Islam] • The Muslims stayed with the non-Muslims throughout the long trip and their manners and righteousness influenced those around them and some of them embraced Islam as well. –such as Al-Baraa’ Ibn-Ma’roor, the leader of the tribe and a man over 70. The second was Abdullah Ibn-Hiram.

25. Mus’abibnUmary reports to the Prophet (saw) before meeting this delegation. Report on life in Madinah: • the social standards, • the political situation, • the economical status, • the geographic standing, • the military power, • the Jews’ position

26. Also prior to the meeting . . the Prophet (saws) wanted to meet Al-Bara’aIbn-Ma’aroor , the leader of the Hajj group. Al-Baraa’ was accompanied by ka’abIbnMalik, a poet that would represent the role of media and culture in this day and time.

27. Among the delegation were 2 women • Nusaybah bin Ka’ab • Asmabint ‘Amer [Yazid] So, they represented the women of Al Madinah—so there were also women in the delegation.

28. Prophet’s meeting with Ka’abibnMalek... • When the Prophet (saw) was introduced to Ka’abibnMalek the Prophet (saw) said, “The poet?” • This should be clear to our media people who should employ this highly influential means in a way that promotes righteousness and spread goodness [the bedouin came to ask the Prophet (saw) about prayer—but he was not understanding. So, Ka’abibnMalek said let me explain it, “The Salaat are four and four, then four followed by three, and don’t forget the morning prayer and lose it.”

29. The plan for meeting was . . . • The meeting was to be in the Hajj season, when Makkah is busiest with the convoys coming to perform Hajj. • It will be held at midnight on the last day of Mena, since this is the last day of Hajj and should Quraysh know about the meeting, it will have no time to get them. • Furthermore, the delegation was supposed to meet the Prophet (saws) at Aqaba, where one of the rituals of Hajj is performed and thus no body would suspect their presence—on the day of Tashreeq.

30. Three conditions: • they had to sleep in their tents among those of the disbelievers—so no sleeping in a different place • that no one wakes up another [who oversleeps does not come], and that only two people would come together at a time. • Abu-Bakr and Omar were not to attend this meeting since they were to stand at the top of the mountains to watch the place.

31. So, the plan was executed . . . • So, at night they sneaked out in twos until they all gathered at the designated place waiting for the Prophet (saws). • To them, this incident remained the most important one in their lives, even more so than the battle of Badr—for it made Badr, and the conquest of Makkah later on. [one night that will make history and our calendar will start with an event made possible through this one night]

32. Ka’abIbn-Malik says in an authentic hadith narrated by Al-Bukhari, “I witnessed the Al-'Aqaba pledge of allegiance at night with the Prophet when we jointly agreed to support Islam with all our efforts I would not like to have attended the Badr battle instead of that 'Aqaba pledge although Badr is more well-known than it, amongst the people.”

33. Prophet (saw) comes and meets them he was accompanied by Al-Abbas his uncle [who was now playing the role of Abu-Tali] . He was representing the family now to give a clear message to Al-Ansar that the Prophet’s family is still behind him. Thus, when they all sat down, Al-Abbas started the meeting saying,

34. Al Abbas said (raa) . . . “O’ people of Auws and Khazraj, we were aware of your arrival today. You too should know that we, the sons of Banu-Hashim, protect Muhammad until this day. Therefore, if you want him to come where you are, promise to protect him, or else we are capable of protecting him ourselves” Al-Ansar listened to Al-Abbas and requested that the Prophet speaks, “Ask for yourself and your Lord O’ Prophet of Allah”

35. Prophet (saw) speaks . . . The Prophet (saws) started his speech by reciting from the Qur’an and by praising Allah (SWT). He wanted to touch their hearts before addressing their minds. Then, he asked them to make a pledge on five main issues: • to fully obey him[I am coming as a leader, so you obey me] • to spend money in good and bad times [we are building a state so we will need money] • to command good and forbid evil [you are going to reform and fix society with me] • to defend Islam no matter what[ you have to be courageous in the face of difficulties] • to protect him when he comes to them just like they protect their women and children

36. Question for you all? Would you have agreed to these conditions—and do you think that they are ones we can fulfill today? If so, how?

37. And this was in return for . . . Their reply was, “What do we have in return if we promise that?” The Prophet (SAWS) looked at them and said one word, “Jannah!”(Paradise). The Prophet (SAWS) never promised them that they will be given any political power [leadership, cabinet seats, ministries etc]. Indeed their role remained symbolical in the history of Islam as none of them became a Caliph or lead an army. Nevertheless, they were promised Jannah.

38. Years later after this incident . . . AnasIbn-Malek reports the following incident in an authentic Muslim hadith saying, “When it was the Day of Hunain …the polytheists suffered defeat, and the Messenger of Allah (saws) acquired a large quantity of spoils, and he distributed them among the refugees and the people recently delivered (of Makkah) but did not give anything to Al-Ansar. Al-Ansar said, ‘In the hour of distress it is we who are called (for help), but the spoils are given to other people besides us’

39. This (remark) reached him the Prophet, and he gathered them In a tent and said, “What is this news that has reached me on your behalf?” They kept silent. Upon this he said, “0 people of Ansar, don't you like that people should go away with worldly (riches), and you go away with Muhammad taking him to your houses?” They said, “Yes, happy we are Messenger of Allah” He then said, “If the people were to tread a valley, and the Ansar were to tread a narrow path, I would take the narrow path of the Ansar”

40. Al Ansar agree . . . Al-BaraaIbn-Ma’aroor, who by then embraced Islam, said, “Oh Prophet of Allah, shake my hand. Yes, we swear to He whom Has sent you with the truth that we will protect you like we protect our children and women. Carry on, O Allah’s Apostle, as we are the brave people of war who inherited it from our great ancestors”.

41. As’adIbn-Zurarah (RA) was aware of what his people were going through. Please note that though Ibn-Zurarah is the youngest of the Madinan delegates, he noticed things that older and more experienced ones did not. As’adIbnZurarah had something in mind, but because of the seriousness of what he wanted to say, he chose not to say it at the beginning in order to avoid changing the course of the discussion.

42. Structure of the meeting . . . • two to three hours. • First, Al-Abbas gives an introductory speech that takes five minutes. • Then, the Prophet (saws) gives a concise list of conditions. • Next, the discussion begins. Al-Baraa’ Ibn-Ma’roor started the discussion with his enthusiastic approval of the conditions that the Prophet (SAWS) provided.

43. Discussion . . . Abul-HaythamIbn-Tayhan, a young new Muslim, raised his hand to speak. Thinking in the long term he said, “We have strong relationships with the Jews and your arrival might put an end to that. Now, if Allah grants you victory, would you rejoin your people (in Makkah) after we have destroyed our relationship with the Jews?”

44. Prophet assures them . . . and explained that by that time his blood would be their blood and that his grave would be among theirs. He also promised them that he would make peace with their allies and stand against their enemies. He is still there today—in Al Madinah fulfilling this promise. [Al dam al dam, waalhadm al hadm. Ana menkumwaantummenee. U’adee men adaytumwausalem men salamtum]

45. As’adIbn-Zurarah placed things in perspective . . . He said, “O People, should not you better see first what you are pledging the man to?” Notice here that Ibn-Zurarah used the word “man” for the sake of objectivity. He continued, “You are pledging to him to fight the Arabs and the Persians, the white and the black . If you are going to disappoint him, then you had better leave him now” As’adIbn-Zurarah must have gone through scores of experiences to be that deep at this early age.

46. They agreed . . . . By that time everything was clear and the delegates fully realized what they were getting into. They thus struggled to reach for the Prophet’s (saws) hand saying, “A successful bargain it is, [because Jannah is worth it] a successful bargain it is! We will not withdraw whatsoever” [rabeh al bay’erabeh al bay’e la naqeelwa la nastaqeel]

47. Meeting meant . . . the Hijrah (immigration) of hundreds of Muslims was about to start, therefore, it was necessary to lay the foundation for it.

48. 12 chiefs were nominated . . . The Prophet (saw) asked them to nominate twelve chiefs from among them to administer Madinah. Hence, the Prophet (saw) started ruling Madinah in a “democratic” manner even before he actually went there by actually holding elections.

49. They were: • nine chiefs from Al-Khazraj • and three from Al-Aws. Among those were: • As’adIbn-Zurarah, • Al-Baraa’ Ibn-Ma’roor, • Sa’dIbn-Mu’ath, • UsaydIbn-Hudhayr, • and Abdullah Ibn-AmrIbn-Hiram Prophet (saw) told them that they were responsible for their town.

50. Plot is revealed . . . An unknown man stood atop a mountain and shouted, “O Quraysh, overtake Muhammad and the dissenters. They are declaring war against you”In spite of all the precautions news about the meeting leaked out. Again this is a human experience that was liable to either success or failure.