Sixteen months following the Hijrah (emigration) of the Prophet to Madeenah, the direction of the Qiblah (prayer focus) was changed from Al-Aqsa Mosque to the honored Ka‘bah, according to the command of Allah The Exalted. The wall of the first Qiblah at the back of the Masjid of the Prophet remained as it was and the Prophet commanded it to be sheltered. Then, it was named As-Suffah or Ath-Thullah. There were no walls on its sides.
Al-Qaadhi ‘Iyaadh said, “As-Suffah was the shelter at the back of the Masjid of the Prophet to which the poor resorted. The name of Ahlus-Suffah [the People of As-Suffah] is attributed to it.”
Ibn Taymiyyah said, “As-Suffah was at the back of the Masjid of the Prophet in its northern part, in Al-Madeenah Al-Munawwarah.”
Ibn Hajar said, “As-Suffah was a sheltered place that was at the back of the Masjid of the Prophet . It was prepared as a place of residence for strangers who did not have homes or families.”
The People of As-Suffah
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “The people of As-Suffah are the guests of Islam. They are not sheltered by a family, wealth or anyone.” [Al-Bukhari]
The Ansaar (helpers) managed to host in their houses and financially support the early Muhaajiroon (emigrants) who migrated before the Prophet with or after him, until the end of the first period before the Battle of Badr. However, later the number of the Muhaajiroon increased to the extent that the Ansaar were incapable of including them.
The Muhaajiroon were increasing little by little as Islam was spreading and more people were embracing it. The number of the poor, rich, married and unmarried Muahajiroon increased in Madeenah. Those who could not find a place to stay would resort to As-Suffah in the Masjid of the Prophet .
It is clear to researchers that a Muhaajir (emigrant) who arrived in Madeenah would meet the Prophet at first and then the Prophet would direct him to someone who could host him. If there was no one, the Muhaajir would settle at As-Suffah temporarily until he found a place to settle. It was narrated that ‘Ubaadah bin As-Saamit, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “If the Messenger of Allah was busy when one of the Muhaajiroon would come to Madeenah, he would entrust him to one of us in order to teach him the Quran. The Prophet entrusted a man to me and he was with me at my home, eating from our food and being taught the Quran.” [Ahmad]
The first people who resided in As-Suffah were the Muhaajiroon, and therefore it was attributed to them. It was called Suffat-ul-Muhaajiroon (the Suffah of the Muhaajiroon). [Abu Daawood]
Moreover, the delegations who came to the Prophet to declare their obedience and acceptance of Islam, would also stay there.
A man who came to the Prophet and had acquaintance in Madeenah would reside with them. If he had none, then he would stay with the People of As-Suffah. Abu Hurayarah, may Allah be pleased with him, was acquainted with the residents of As-Suffah, as well as the new-comers. Therefore, whenever the Prophet wanted to see them, he would order Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, to invite them because Abu Hurayrah was acquainted with them, their ranks as well as their degrees in worship and striving.
Some of the Ansaar resided in As-Suffah desiring the life of asceticism, striving against the self and poverty, even though they did not have to do that and had houses in Madeenah, such as Ka‘b bin Maalik Al-Ansaari, Hanthalah bin Abi ‘Aamir Al-Ansaari (the martyr who was washed by the angels), Haarithah bin An-Nu‘maan Al-Ansaari and others who resided in As-Suffah.
The Sustenance of the People of As-Suffah and the Prophet’s, and His Companions’ Care For Them
The Prophet would personally look after the people of As-Suffah. He would visit them, see to their needs and visit any of them who fell sick. He would sit with them frequently, guide them, console them, remind them of the teachings of Islam, teach them and direct them to recite the Quran, study it, remember Allah The Almighty and look forward to the Hereafter. He would secure their maintenance through variable means.
When any charity was given to him, he would send it to them without taking any part of it for himself. When a gift was given to him, he would send it to them. His habit was to take part of it for himself and give them the rest.
Many times, he invited them to have food at one of the rooms of the Mothers of the Believers, may Allah be pleased with them. He never neglected them; rather, he always paid attention to them. It was narrated that ‘Abdur-Rahmaan bin Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him said, “The people of As-Suffah were poor people. The Prophet once said: ‘Whoever has enough food for two persons should take a third one [from them], and whoever has enough food for four persons should take a fifth or a sixth.’ Abu Bakr once brought three persons while the Prophet took ten." [Al-Bukhari]
The Prophet would give priority to their needs over the needs of others. Once a group of captives was brought to him and Faatimah, may Allah be pleased with her, came to him asking for a servant. He answered: “By Allah, I will not give you and leave the people of As-Suffah twisting their stomachs out of hunger. I do not have [money] to support them. So, I will sell these captives and spend what I get to support them.” [Ahmad]
As-Suffah That was Annexed to the Masjid of the Prophet - II