The Wisdom of the Prophet in Reforming the Hearts – I
27/03/2010| IslamWeb
The wisdom of the Prophet, 
, in reconciliation and establishment:
When the Prophet, , arrived in Madeenah, there were various groups of people each with different beliefs and aims. These groups were separated as they had conflicts with each other, some of which were old and inherited while others were recent. There were three types of these groups:
, arrived in Madeenah, there were various groups of people each with different beliefs and aims. These groups were separated as they had conflicts with each other, some of which were old and inherited while others were recent. There were three types of these groups:1. Muslims from the Aws and the Khazraj tribes, and the Muhaajiroon.
2. The disbelievers from the Aws and the Khazraj tribes who did not embrace Islam.
3. The Jews, who were from various tribes such as the Banu Qaynuqaa‘, who were allies of the Khazraj, and Banu An-Nadheer and Banu Quraythah, who were allies of the Aws.
There was a long-standing conflict between the Aws and the Khazraj as there had been wars between them in Jaahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance), the last of which was the Day of Bu‘aath, and the people were still affected by these wars. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The Prophet, , managed to solve all of these problems by virtue of his wisdom and good policy. He managed to solve these problems and bring the hearts of Muslims together through the following:
, managed to solve all of these problems by virtue of his wisdom and good policy. He managed to solve these problems and bring the hearts of Muslims together through the following:1 - Building the mosque (Masjid) and gathering in it:
The first thing that the Prophet, , did in the way of reform and establishment was to build a mosque. All the Muslims participated in building it and the Prophet, , was the first one among them. Building the mosque was the first cooperative work that brought the hearts of the Muslims together and showed the general aim of this. Before the coming of the Prophet, , every quarter in Madeenah had its own place to gather where they would stay up late at night and recite poetry. This led to separation and differences, but when the mosque was built, it became the central place of gathering for all the Muslims. They would meet there at any time and ask the Prophet, , about anything they did not know so that he could teach and advise them. [Al-Bukhari]
, did in the way of reform and establishment was to build a mosque. All the Muslims participated in building it and the Prophet, , was the first one among them. Building the mosque was the first cooperative work that brought the hearts of the Muslims together and showed the general aim of this. Before the coming of the Prophet, , every quarter in Madeenah had its own place to gather where they would stay up late at night and recite poetry. This led to separation and differences, but when the mosque was built, it became the central place of gathering for all the Muslims. They would meet there at any time and ask the Prophet, , about anything they did not know so that he could teach and advise them. [Al-Bukhari]By building this mosque, all the districts gathered, the tribes drew closer, the hearts were reconciled, and separation turned to unity. There were no longer different leaders but only one leader: the Prophet, , who would receive his orders and prohibitions from Allah The Almighty and teach them to the Muslims. Therefore, the Muslims were united, their hearts and souls were reconciled and they became cooperative. The mosque was not only a place for performing the five daily prayers. It was also a university where the Muslims learnt the teachings of Islam and gathered. In the mosque, people from different tribes would meet after they had been separated because of their pre-Islamic wars. The mosque was also a center for managing all affairs and holding consultative and executive councils.
, who would receive his orders and prohibitions from Allah The Almighty and teach them to the Muslims. Therefore, the Muslims were united, their hearts and souls were reconciled and they became cooperative. The mosque was not only a place for performing the five daily prayers. It was also a university where the Muslims learnt the teachings of Islam and gathered. In the mosque, people from different tribes would meet after they had been separated because of their pre-Islamic wars. The mosque was also a center for managing all affairs and holding consultative and executive councils.This is why the Prophet, , was keen to establishing a mosque in every place where he resided when he arrived at Madeenah, as the mosque is the place where all Muslims gather. The Prophet, , built the Qubaa’ mosque when he stayed at Qubaa’ and prayed the Friday prayer in Banu Saalim ibn ‘Awf that is between Qubaa’ and Madeenah, in the center of the Raanoonaa’ valley. When he arrived in Madeenah, the first thing he did was to build a mosque.
, was keen to establishing a mosque in every place where he resided when he arrived at Madeenah, as the mosque is the place where all Muslims gather. The Prophet, , built the Qubaa’ mosque when he stayed at Qubaa’ and prayed the Friday prayer in Banu Saalim ibn ‘Awf that is between Qubaa’ and Madeenah, in the center of the Raanoonaa’ valley. When he arrived in Madeenah, the first thing he did was to build a mosque.2 - Inviting the Jews to Islam through wise speech:
Among the basics of reform and establishment that the Prophet, , did after entering Madeenah was to contact the Jews via ‘Abdullaah ibn Salaam, may Allah be pleased with him, and call them to Islam. Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, said,
, did after entering Madeenah was to contact the Jews via ‘Abdullaah ibn Salaam, may Allah be pleased with him, and call them to Islam. Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, said, Abdullaah ibn Salaam, may Allah be pleased with him, knew about the coming of the Prophet to Madeenah. So, he came to him and said, “I will ask you about three things that would be known only by a prophet. What is the first sign of the Hour? What is the first food that the dwellers of Paradise will eat? And why does a child look like his father or mother?”
to Madeenah. So, he came to him and said, “I will ask you about three things that would be known only by a prophet. What is the first sign of the Hour? What is the first food that the dwellers of Paradise will eat? And why does a child look like his father or mother?” The Prophet said:“Jibreel [Gabriel, may Allah exalt his mention], has told me about this before.”Ibn Salaam, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “This is the enemy of the Jews among the angels.” The Prophet said: “The first sign of the Hour is a fire that will collect the people from the east to the west. The first food that the dwellers of paradise will eat is the caudate [extra] lobe of the whale liver. As for the resemblance of the child, if a man had sexual intercourse with a woman and he ejaculated semen first, the child would resemble him but if the woman ejaculated vaginal fluid first, the child would resemble her.”
said:“Jibreel [Gabriel, may Allah exalt his mention], has told me about this before.”Ibn Salaam, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “This is the enemy of the Jews among the angels.” The Prophet said: “The first sign of the Hour is a fire that will collect the people from the east to the west. The first food that the dwellers of paradise will eat is the caudate [extra] lobe of the whale liver. As for the resemblance of the child, if a man had sexual intercourse with a woman and he ejaculated semen first, the child would resemble him but if the woman ejaculated vaginal fluid first, the child would resemble her.”‘Abdullaah ibn Salaam said, “I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that you are the messenger of Allah.” Then he said, “O Prophet! The Jews are liars and if they knew that I embraced Islam, they would defame me, so ask them about me first.” The Prophet sent a messenger to invite them. When they came, the Prophet said to them:“O Jews, woe be to you! Fear Allah. You know that I really am the Messenger of Allah and have brought you the truth so, embrace Islam.” They said,“We do not know this.”The Prophet repeated his words three times, then he asked:“What do you think of ‘Abdullaah ibn Salaam?” They said, “He is our master and the son of our master. He is the most knowledgeable one among us.”
sent a messenger to invite them. When they came, the Prophet said to them:“O Jews, woe be to you! Fear Allah. You know that I really am the Messenger of Allah and have brought you the truth so, embrace Islam.” They said,“We do not know this.”The Prophet repeated his words three times, then he asked:“What do you think of ‘Abdullaah ibn Salaam?” They said, “He is our master and the son of our master. He is the most knowledgeable one among us.” The Prophet asked them:“What if he were to embrace Islam?”They replied, “May Allah protect him from this. He will never embrace Islam.” The Prophet asked them again: “What if he were to embrace Islam?”They replied, “He will never embrace Islam.” The Prophet asked them for a third time:“What if he were to embrace Islam?” They again replied, “He will never embrace Islam.” The Prophet then said:“O Ibn Salaam, show them yourself!”So he came out and said, “O Jews! Fear Allah. I swear by Allah who is the only One worthy of worship that you know that he is the Messenger of Allah and that he came with the truth.” They said, “You are lying. You are the most evil one among us and the son of the most evil man among us.” Then they began defaming him.[Al-Bukhari]
asked them:“What if he were to embrace Islam?”They replied, “May Allah protect him from this. He will never embrace Islam.” The Prophet asked them again: “What if he were to embrace Islam?”They replied, “He will never embrace Islam.” The Prophet asked them for a third time:“What if he were to embrace Islam?” They again replied, “He will never embrace Islam.” The Prophet then said:“O Ibn Salaam, show them yourself!”So he came out and said, “O Jews! Fear Allah. I swear by Allah who is the only One worthy of worship that you know that he is the Messenger of Allah and that he came with the truth.” They said, “You are lying. You are the most evil one among us and the son of the most evil man among us.” Then they began defaming him.[Al-Bukhari]This was the first experience of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, with the Jews when he entered Madeenah. What shows the good policy of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is that he agreed on concealing ‘Abdullah ibn Salaam's acceptance of Islam until he had asked the Jews about him first. When they praised ‘Abdullaah, may Allah be pleased with him, the Prophet, , ordered him to come out and declare his acceptance of Islam.
, ordered him to come out and declare his acceptance of Islam. ‘Abdullaah, may Allah be pleased with him, also declared that the Jews were concealing what they knew as they knew that the Prophet, , was truthful. It was after this that the Prophet, , concluded a peace treaty with them.
, was truthful. It was after this that the Prophet, , concluded a peace treaty with them.3 - The bond of brotherhood between the Muhajiroon and the Ansaar:
After building the mosque and calling the Jews to Islam, the Prophet, , established a bond of brotherhood between the Muhaajiroon and the Ansaar. This shows the wisdom of the Prophet, , and his political maturity. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, established the bonds of brotherhood between the Muhaajiroon and the Ansaar in the house of Anas ibn Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him. There were ninety men, half of whom were the Muhajiroon and the other half were the Ansaar. He made them as brothers who would support one another during hardships and who would inherit from one another after death. This continued until the Battle of Badr when the following verse in which Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {But those of [blood] relationship are more entitled [to inheritance] in the decree of Allah. Indeed, Allah Is Knowing of all things}[Quran 8:75] was revealed. After the revelation of this verse, the Prophet, , restricted inheritance to blood relatives.
, established a bond of brotherhood between the Muhaajiroon and the Ansaar. This shows the wisdom of the Prophet, , and his political maturity. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, established the bonds of brotherhood between the Muhaajiroon and the Ansaar in the house of Anas ibn Maalik, may Allah be pleased with him. There were ninety men, half of whom were the Muhajiroon and the other half were the Ansaar. He made them as brothers who would support one another during hardships and who would inherit from one another after death. This continued until the Battle of Badr when the following verse in which Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {But those of [blood] relationship are more entitled [to inheritance] in the decree of Allah. Indeed, Allah Is Knowing of all things}[Quran 8:75] was revealed. After the revelation of this verse, the Prophet, , restricted inheritance to blood relatives.All the fanaticism of Jaahiliyyah (pre-Islamic ignorance) had faded away as there was no superiority except that which was based on Islam. All the differences of kinship, color, and nationality vanished. Preference was based on piety, manliness, and feelings of love; friendliness prevailed in this brotherhood and filled the new society with the greatest examples. This bond of brotherhood was one of the greatest aspects of humanitarian and moral Islamic justice.
This bond of brotherhood was not a treaty that was written only on paper, or words that were uttered by the tongue only; it was, rather, a bond of brotherhood that was engraved on the hearts and was something that was related to blood and wealth. It was brotherhood in words, deeds, selves, properties, and wealth and it existed in times of ease and hardship.
One of the greatest examples of this was when the Prophet, , made a bond of brotherhood between ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf and Sa‘d ibn Ar-Rabee‘, may Allah be pleased with them. So, Sa‘d, may Allah be pleased with him, said,“All the Ansaar know that I am one of the richest men among them, so I will divide my money between us [i.e. between him and ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf, may Allah be pleased with him]. I have two wives, so choose the one that you like and I will divorce her so that you can marry her after the end of her ‘Iddah [waiting period).” ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf, may Allah be pleased with him, said,“May Allah Bless your wives and wealth. Where is your market?” He was told about the market of Banu Qaynuqaa‘, and he went there. He returned with some cheese and butter. After this, he continued working. One day, he went to the Prophet, , bearing the traces of yellow scent [that newly-weds apply] on his clothes. The Prophet, , therefore, asked him: “What is this scent?” He replied, “I have married a woman from the Ansaar.” The Prophet, , asked: “How much dowry have you given her?” He said,“A date-stone weight of gold [i.e equal to five Dirhams].”The Prophet, , said,“Hold a marriage banquet, even if it be with a [single] sheep.” [Al-Bukhari]
, made a bond of brotherhood between ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf and Sa‘d ibn Ar-Rabee‘, may Allah be pleased with them. So, Sa‘d, may Allah be pleased with him, said,“All the Ansaar know that I am one of the richest men among them, so I will divide my money between us [i.e. between him and ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf, may Allah be pleased with him]. I have two wives, so choose the one that you like and I will divorce her so that you can marry her after the end of her ‘Iddah [waiting period).” ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf, may Allah be pleased with him, said,“May Allah Bless your wives and wealth. Where is your market?” He was told about the market of Banu Qaynuqaa‘, and he went there. He returned with some cheese and butter. After this, he continued working. One day, he went to the Prophet, , bearing the traces of yellow scent [that newly-weds apply] on his clothes. The Prophet, , therefore, asked him: “What is this scent?” He replied, “I have married a woman from the Ansaar.” The Prophet, , asked: “How much dowry have you given her?” He said,“A date-stone weight of gold [i.e equal to five Dirhams].”The Prophet, , said,“Hold a marriage banquet, even if it be with a [single] sheep.” [Al-Bukhari] This is great wisdom and a good policy that was a wonderful solution for many of the problems that the Muslims were encountering.
The Wisdom of the Prophet in Reforming the Hearts – II
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