The Muhaajireen were those Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) who were commanded by Allah Ta‘ala to leave their homeland of Makkah Mukarramah, while sacrificing their homes, relatives, friends and businesses, and migrate to Madeenah Munawwarah for the sake of Islam. As difficult as it was for them to uproot themselves and leave their established lives behind, they did so, making this tremendous sacrifice solely for the sake of Allah Ta‘ala’s pleasure.
On arriving in Madeenah Munawwarah, they were welcomed with open arms by the Ansaar – the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) who resided in Madeenah Munawwarah. These Sahaabah were named the ‘Ansaar’ on account of the extent they went in assisting the Muhaajireen and supporting Islam.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) knew that on arriving in a foreign land, the Muhaajireen would require support until they could become established and settled. Thus, he would pair the various Muhaajireen with the Ansaar, in a bond of brotherhood, so that each Ansaari could assist and take care of the Muhaajir until he gained independence.
Not for a single moment did the Ansaar (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) regard these Muhaajireen as a burden or liability. Rather, they regarded it as their honour to host them, and thus exhibited a spirit of selflessness, generosity and preference to others that is unparalleled in recorded history, even earning mention and praise in the Quraan Majeed! (Surah Mujaadalah, v9)
Consider the example of Sayyiduna ‘Abdur Rahmaan bin ‘Auf (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), of the Muhaajireen, who was paired with Sayyiduna Sa’d bin Rabee’ (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), of the Ansaar. Sayyiduna Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) said to him, “I am among the wealthiest people of the Ansaar. I will give you half of my wealth. I have two wives. See which of the two you prefer – I will divorce her, and after her ‘iddah terminates, you can marry her.” (Saheeh Bukhari #2048)
The majority of the Ansaar were farmers and would earn their livelihood through tending to their date orchards. When they were paired with the Muhaajireen, they dedicated half their orchards and dates to their Muhaajir partners. Furthermore, they continued attending to the entire orchard with its irrigation, upkeep, tending to the palm trees, etc., thereby sufficing the Muhaajir of working in the orchard.
Thus, on one occasion the Muhaajireen came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and said, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! We have not seen people who spend more readily from abundant wealth and who share so excellently from meagre wealth than the people among whom we have settled (i.e. they are prepared to spend and share in all conditions, whether they possess a lot or a little). They have sufficed us of working and toiling (in the orchards) and they have made us partners in the produce, until we have begun to fear that they will take all the rewards (i.e. they have the reward of their own good deeds, together with a share in the reward of our good deeds on account of them supporting us, whereas we do not have any share in the reward of their good deeds).”
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “No! (You will also have a share in the reward of their good deeds) so long as you continue to make du‘aa for them (in support of their good deeds) and speak good of them (acknowledging their kindness to you).” (Sunan Tirmizi #2487, Mirqaat vol. 6, pg. 213 and Al-Kawkabud Durri vol. 3, pg. 298)
Lessons:
1. On arriving in Madeenah Munawwarah, the Muhaajireen had to become established and independent. However, since their focus was always on the Hereafter, their greater concern was that they should not lag behind in acquiring the immense rewards of the Hereafter. Hence, the primary focus of a believer should always be acquiring the rewards of the Hereafter.
2. The Ansaar were selfless in their generosity, giving preference to the comfort of others over themselves, to the extent that this quality of theirs was even praised in the Quraan Majeed. (For an amazing incident in this regard, click here.)
3. To uproot yourself from your hometown, where you are established, and leave your friends, family, business and everything else, relocating to a foreign land, is a challenge for any person. Yet, the Muhaajireen (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) wholeheartedly made this sacrifice and performed hijrah as it was the command of Allah Ta‘ala. Likewise, we should be prepared to make sacrifices to please Allah Ta‘ala – especially sacrificing those things that bring displeasure to Allah Ta‘ala.
4. There are many branches of service to Deen, and all of them are highly rewarding. It is generally not possible for one person to participate in all the efforts of Deen, thus enjoying the rewards of all the branches. However, if we support all the efforts of Deen by making du‘aa for them to prosper and acknowledge the services that they are rendering, then we will also become ‘shareholders’ in the reward of their efforts. This heartfelt, sincere du‘aa will take just a few moments of our time, but it is a most valuable investment that will reap us tremendous returns. Thus, at this time, apart from those whom we personally assist (sick family members, etc.), we should also make du‘aa to Allah Ta‘ala to assist the Muslim doctors and nurses, those assisting with the janaazahs, those feeding the sick, distributing hampers and medication, etc. In this way, we will also have a share in the reward.
