Arrival at Madīnah and the First Friday Prayer

The Holy Prophet(sa) was perhaps still in Qubā’ when the Muslims of Madīnah began to discuss whose home the Holy Prophet(sa) would stay at. Every family desired the honour of hosting the Holy Prophet(sa). When the Holy Prophet(sa) heard of this disagreement, he said, “I will stay with the maternal relations of ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib, the Banū Najjār.”1 This was a very wise decision of the Holy Prophet(sa), whereby the possibility of unbecoming emotions of enmity arising amongst the various tribes was prevented. Everyone was satisfied with this decision of the Holy Prophet(sa). Although everyone was equivalent in faith and sincerity, the Banū Najjār definitely possessed the additional distinction that Salamah, the mother of ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib, who was the paternal grandfather of the Holy Prophet(sa), was from this family.

After a stay of more than ten days2 in Qubā’, on Friday, the Holy Prophet(sa) set out for the heart of the city. A large party from among the Anṣār and Muhājirīn accompanied the Holy Prophet(sa). The Holy Prophet(sa) was riding a camel, and Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakr(ra) was behind him. Slowly but surely, this caravan slowly began to advance towards the city. The time for Friday prayers arrived en-route. The Holy Prophet(sa) stopped in the neighborhood of the Banū Sālim bin ‘Auf. He delivered a sermon to his Companions, and led the Friday Prayer. Historians write that, although the Friday Prayer had already begun3, this was the first prayer service which the Holy Prophet(sa) led himself.4 After this, the Friday Prayer service formally began. In actuality, Friday is an ‘Īd for the Ṣalāt, just as ‘Īdul-Fiṭr is the ‘Īd for the fasting of Ramaḍān,5 and ‘Īdul-Aḍḥā is the ‘Īd for Ḥajj. It is for this reason that the Friday Prayer has been given great significance in the Islāmic Sharī‘at.6 In this service, the Imām delivers a sermon in which matters of current relevance are discussed. The congregation is exhorted with regards to faith and good deeds, and after this, two Rak‘āt7 of obligatory prayer are offered. The Holy Prophet(sa) would also instruct that on Friday, every Muslim should, as much as possible: bathe, wear clean clothes, use fragrance, and reach the mosque before the sermon begins. In remembrance, a mosque named Masjidul-Jumu‘ah has now been built at the place where the Holy Prophet(sa) led this first Friday Prayer service.

After completing the Friday Prayers, the caravan of the Holy Prophet(sa) continued to slowly proceed further. When the Holy Prophet(sa) would pass by the homes of Muslims, in the fervour of their love they would move forward and say, “O Messenger of Allāh! This is our home. Our wealth and lives are at your behest. We also possess means of protection. Please stay with us.” The Holy Prophet(sa) would supplicate for their prosperity and slowly moved towards the city. In the fervour of their happiness, the Muslim ladies and girls climbed the roofs of their homes and began singing:

“Today, the full moon has risen upon us from the valleys of Mount Wadā‘;8 For this reason, gratitude to Allāh has become forever obligatory upon us.”9

The Muslim children ran about in the streets and alleys of Madīnah singing, “Muḥammad(sa) has arrived. The Messenger of Allāh has arrived.” To express their happiness upon the arrival of the Holy Prophet(sa), the Abyssinian slaves of Madīnah would move about demonstrating their feats of swordsmanship. When the Holy Prophet(sa) entered the city, every individual desired that the Holy Prophet(sa) stay with him. Each and every person would advance to offer his services. The Holy Prophet(sa) would respond lovingly to everyone, and move forward until his she-camel reached the neighborhood of the Banū Najjār. At this place, the people of Banū Najjār stood in rows, decorated with arms to welcome the Holy Prophet(sa). The girls of this tribe were reciting the following couplet whilst beating their drums:

“We are girls of the Banū Najjār; How fortunate are we that Muḥammad(sa), the Messenger of Allāh, has come to stay in our neighbourhood.”

When the Holy Prophet(sa) reached the Banū Najjār, the question once again posed itself as to which person the Holy Prophet(sa) would stay with. Every individual of the tribe was desirous that he be the one to receive this honour. As a matter of fact, in the fervour of their love, some would even take hold of the reins of the camel belonging to the Holy Prophet(sa). Upon seeing this, the Holy Prophet(sa) said, “Leave my camel, for at this time, it has been divinely inspired.” In other words, wherever Allāh so desired it would sit down itself; and upon saying this, the Holy Prophet(sa) also released its reins. The camel gracefully advanced and sat down when it reached the place where, later, the Masjid-e- Nabawī, and living quarters of the Holy Prophet(sa), were built. At the time, this was an uncultivated plot of land, which was the property of two children from Madīnah. Immediately, however, it stood up and began to move forward; but after a few steps, it once again returned to its initial place of resting, and sat down. The Holy Prophet(sa) stated:

“It seems as if the Will of Allāh desires that this be our place of residence.”10

After this, the Holy Prophet(sa) supplicated to Allāh and dismounted from his camel. Then the Holy Prophet(sa) inquired as to whose home was closest from that place. Abū Ayyūb Anṣārī(ra) rushed forward and said, “O Messenger of Allāh! It is mine, and this is the entrance to my home. You are most welcome.” The Holy Prophet(sa) said, “Alright, then go and prepare a place for me to stay.”11