When he arrived to Madīnah, Muṣ‘ab bin ‘Umairra stayed at the home of As‘ad bin Zurārahra, who was the first Muslim of Madīnah, and was a very devout and influential leader. His home was transformed into a preaching centre and Muṣ‘abra began to perform his duties with full attention. Since the Muslims of Madīnah lived a collective life, and Madīnah was comparatively more peaceful, upon the proposal of As‘ad bin Zurārahra, the Holy Prophetsa instructed Muṣ‘ab bin ‘Umairra to begin offering the Jumu‘ah Prayer,1 and in this way the Muslims began their life as a unified community. The blessings of Allāh were such as it was not long before the religion of Islām began to find popularity in every home of Madīnah. The Aus and the Khazraj began to accept Islām very rapidly. In some cases, the entirety of a tribe would accept Islām in one day. Thus, the Banū ‘Abdil-Ashhal tribe also accepted Islām in this manner, and became Muslim at once. This was a very distinct branch of the Anṣār tribe known as the Aus, and the chieftain of this tribe was named Sa‘d bin Mu‘ādh. Not only was he the chieftain of the ‘Abdul-Ashhal tribe, but he was the leader of the entire Aus tribe as well. When Islām began to find popularity in Madīnah, Sa‘d bin Mu‘ādh disliked it, and endeavoured to stop it, but he was closely related to As‘ad bin Zurārahra. Both of them were cousins, and As‘ad had become Muslim. For this reason Sa‘d bin Mu‘ādh would not approach him personally so as to prevent a dispute. As such, he said to another one of his relatives, Usaid bin Al-Ḥuḍair, “I am somewhat embarrassed to say anything due to As‘ad bin Zurārah, but you go and stop Muṣ‘ab from spreading this irreligiousness. Tell As‘ad as well that this way of life is not right.” Usaid was from the revered chieftains of the ‘Abdul-Ashhal tribe, and his father had remained the leader of the entire Aus tribe during the Battle of Bu‘āth. After Sa‘d bin Mu‘ādh, Usaid bin Al-Ḥuḍair possessed significant influence within his tribe. Therefore, upon the encouragement of Sa‘d, he went to Muṣ‘ab bin ‘Umairra and As‘ad bin Zurārah. He addressed Muṣ‘abra in a tone of anger, saying, “Why do you make our people irreligious? Abstain from this or the outcome shall not be pleasant!” Before Muṣ‘abra could answer, Asa‘dra softly told Muṣ‘abra, “He is a very powerful chieftain of his tribe, speak to him very sympathetically and lovingly.” Therefore, Muṣ‘abra addressed him in a very respectful and loving tone, and said, “Do not be angry, rather be so kind as to sit and listen to what we have to say with a cool heart, then you may formulate your opinion.” Usaid found this to be a logical proposition and sat down. Muṣ‘abra recited the Holy Qur’ān to him and enlightened him of Islāmic teachings very benevolently. Usaid was so moved that he accepted Islām right away, and said, “There is such a man behind me that if he converts, our entire tribe will accept Islām, wait here, I shall send him.” After this Usaidra left, and by some excuse, he sent Sa‘d bin Mu‘ādh to Muṣ‘ab bin ‘Umairra and As‘ad bin Zurārahra. Sa‘d bin Mu‘ādh came and furiously said to As‘ad bin Zurārahra, “Look here Asa‘d, indeed, you are misusing your family relations and this is not right.” Upon this, in the same manner as before, Muṣ‘abra tenderly and lovingly cooled him down and said, “Take a seat here and listen to what I have to say. If then, there is something objectionable, you may reject it.” Sa‘d responded, “Alright, this appeal seems to be rational.” Resting his spear, he took a seat, and in the same manner, Muṣ‘abra recited the Holy Qur’ān to him and expounded Islāmic principles in his very attractive manner. It was not long before this idol also submitted. Therefore, as per the custom, Sa‘d bathed and recited the Kalimah Shahādah. After this, Sa‘d bin Mu‘ādhra and Usaid bin Al-Ḥuḍairra went to their tribesmen and Sa‘dra inquired of them in a particular Arabian manner, “O Banī ‘Abdul-Ashhal, how do you find me?” They all answered in unison, “You are our leader and the son of our leader. We have full trust in you.” Sa‘dra responded, “Then I have nothing to do with you until you believe in Allāh and His Messenger.” After this, Sa‘dra explained the principles of Islām to them, and evening had not yet come, before the entire tribe had converted to Islām. Sa‘dra and Usaidra broke the idols that belonged to their people with their own hands.2
Sa‘d bin Mu‘ādhra and Usaid bin Al-Ḥuḍairra who accepted Islām that day, are counted amongst the most eminent of companions and among the Anṣār undoubtedly, they possess a magnificent status. In particular, Sa‘d bin Mu‘ādhra received a position amongst the Anṣār as did Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakrra amongst the Muhājirīn3 of Makkah. This young man turned out to be extremely sincere, remarkably loyal, and an exceptionally devoted lover of Islām and the founder of Islām. Since he was also the chieftain of his tribe, he was extraordinarily intelligent as well. He acquired such a position in Islām which was not only distinctive, nay, the most distinctive companions of the Holy Prophetsa acquired. No doubt, upon his early demise, the words of the Holy Prophetsa that, “Upon the demise of Sa‘d even the throne of the Gracious God has come into motion,” was based on a very deep reality.4
Therefore, in this manner, Islām began to spread throughout the Aus and the Khazraj very rapidly. The Jews would look to this sight in terror. In their hearts they would say, God knows what is about to happen.
These were the delightful occurrences in Madīnah, which took place after the first Bai‘at at ‘Aqabah, but on the other hand, in Makkah, this year was one of extreme difficulty and hardship for the Holy Prophetsa and the Muslims. The Quraish continued to intensify their cruelties. When they found out about the state of affairs in Madīnah, the fire of their animosity was further enflamed. They began to inflict even greater cruelties and for the helpless Muslims, their lives became even more difficult to bear.
1 The Friday Prayer (Publishers)
2 As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Malik bin Hishām, pp. 311-312, Awwalu Jumu‘atin Uqīmat bil-Madīnah, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001)
3 The Muslims of Makkah who immigrated to Madīnah (Publishers)
4 Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī, Kitābu Manāqibil-Anṣār, Bābu Manāqibi Sa‘d bin Mu‘ādhra, Ḥadīth No. 3803