Muslims around the world are welcoming a new Islamic year; 1440 AH. That is, 1440 years will have passed since Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) emigration from Makkah to Madinah.

An epic journey that marks the beginning of true brotherhood and sisterhood amongst the Muhajirun (Muslims of Makkah) and the Ansar (Muslims of Madinah).

It is a beam of light through the hardships the Muslims of Makkah experienced fleeing persecution.

It All Started with a Dream

The Messenger (peace be upon him) saw in a dream that he was migrating to Madinah.

It was narrated from Abu Musa that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

I saw in a dream that I was migrating from Makkah to a land in which there are date-palms, and I thought that it was al-Yamamah or Hajar, but it turned out to be Madinah, Yathrib… (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

First Things First

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) came up with a unique system in which he paired a Muhajir with an Ansari.

They were not selected randomly, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would make sure that they were harmonious matches. Such as pairing Mus’ab and Abu Ayyub, Salman Al Farisi and Abul Dardaa, etc.

We learn from this network, the importance of seeking someone similar to us in traits and beliefs as this will help us endure the hardships of life.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) highlights the importance of having good company.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

A man follows the religion of his khaleel (closest or choicest friend); so each one should consider whom he makes his khaleel. (Abu Dawud)

Sharing is Caring

When the Muhajirun emigrated to Makkah, they took along no belongings and left all behind to join the Prophet. The Ansar showed unprecedented nobleness and generosity in sharing their belongings with their sisters and brothers in Islam.

They would share their accommodation with their brethren, with all that it included such as food, clothing, etc. with no financial form of benefit; simply they were helping their brothers and sisters in distress, seeking the pleasure and reward only from Allah.

Allah Almighty commends their acts in the Noble Quran:

And [also for] those who were settled in al-Madinah and [adopted] the faith before them. They love those who emigrated to them and find not any want in their chests of what the emigrants were given but give [them] preference over themselves, even though they are in privation. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul – it is those who will be the successful. (Quran 59:9)

Eye Opener (2018)

This brings us back to our current harsh global situation of the refugee crisis; amidst ongoing wars and persecutions.

Are we doing our share as governments and citizens, in taking in today’s Muslim migrants from areas of civil war and conflicts who have gone through so much hardship?

Do we welcome them and help them find a new life?

Are we acting as Ansar to these Muhajirun?

The Blessings of Prophet Muhammad

The Muhajirun and Ansar were praised as well by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in his prayer for them for forgiveness in the Hereafter:

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

Oh Allah, there is no life but the life of the Hereafter, so forgive the Ansar and the Muhajirun. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him.

And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhajireen and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct – Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him, and He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever. That is the great attainment. (Quran 9:100)

So let’s today remember this amazing story in Muslim history to inspire us in the West and in the East to become Ansar for our brothers and sisters escaping from Syria and other countries of conflict and crisis.

May Allah (SWT) be with them all, and may He make us Muslims of 1440 merciful and caring towards them.