First Year of Hijrah

Mosque of the Prophet (S.A.W)

The first thing that the Prophet (S.A.W) did after arrival at Medina was to build a mosque for the Muslims to offer their prayers. The land was bought by the Prophet from two orphans. The Prophet too participated in the building of mosque. It was a simple square building, the wall were built of unbaked bricks, the roof was made of mud, date palm leaves and stones and the pillars were made up of trunks of palms trees. A few rooms were also added for the abode of the Prophet and his family. The mosque came to be known as Masjid-e-Nabvi. It was not only a place of worship but also a meeting place, a parliament house, a military headquarter and a place of learning for Muslims. The Quran refers to it, There is a mosque whose foundation is laid from the first day on piety, it is more worthy of your standing forth (for prayers) there in. In it are men who love to be purified; and Allah loves those who make themselves pure. (At-Taubah 9:108)

Adhan

The Prophet wanted to set up a way to call the Muslims. Some suggested that the Jewish way of ringing the bell should be adopted but the Prophet rejected it. Umar (R.A) had a dream; someone taught him the words of Adhan. Thus the Prophet adopted it and chose Bilal ibn Rabah to deliver the first Adhan.

Brotherhood
There were always disputes between Aus and Khazraj tribes of Medina. They need a leader to solve their problems. Soon after the Hijrah, the Prophet established brotherhood between the Aus and Khazraj tribes and between the Muhajireen and Ansars. The Muhajireen were the emigrants who had left all their property for the sake of Islam. The Ansars were the inhabitants of Medina who had accepted Islam. The ties between both the parties were cemented by brotherhood. Each Ansar had to share his wealth and property which his Muhajar brother. Allah says, And remember with gratitude Allahs favour on you; for you were enemies and He joined your hearts with love so that by His grace you became brothers; and you were on the brink of pit of fire and He saved you from it. Thus Allah

makes His signs clear to you, that you may be guided. (AlImran 3:103)

Charter of Medina
After establishing brotherhood between tribes of Medina, the Prophet turned his attention to the problems of mutual relations between the Jews and Muslims. Terms had to be concluded so that their relations may improve. In respect to this, the Prophet granted a charter called the Charter of Medina. The terms were that both the parties will enjoy complete religious freedom and tolerance, both the parties will be allies and will make peace together with the outsiders, the Jews and Muslims constitute civil society and enjoy equal rights, Medina will be a city of Peace for both the Parties. The allies of both parties will enjoy the same security and freedom, in case of attack on Medina both the parties will defend it and assist each other and finally the Prophet will decide all disputes and his decision would be final.

Second Year of Hijrah

Fasting and Zakat
Fasting became obligatory for the Muslims in the following verse, Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you that you may learn self restraint. (Al Baqarah 2:183) Zakat also became obligatory in the same year. Allah says, And spend of your substance in the cause of Allah and make not your own hands contribute to your destruction but do good; for Allah loves those who do good. (Al-Baqarah 2:195)

Change of Qiblah
The Muslims used to pray with their faces turned to the holy temple of Jerusalem. In the second year of Hijrah they were ordered to pray facing the Kaabah at Makkah. Allah says, We see the turning of thy face (for guidance) to the heavens; now shall we turn thee to a Qiblah that shall please thee. Turn then your face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque; wherever you are turn your faces in that direction. (Baqarah 2:144)

Permission of Jihad

The Muslims were also given the permission to fight their enemies. Allah says, Permission to given, against those whom war is made (to fight) because they were wronged, verily Allah is able to help them. (Al-Hajj 22:39)

Battle of Badr

Causes The Quraish were greatly displeased with the people of Medina for giving shelter to the Prophet and the Muslims. When the Medinese were asked to hand over the Prophet to the Quraish, they rejected it. The Quraish were also jealous of the growing power of Islam in Medina. Events The Battle of Badr took place on 17 Ramadan in the second year of Hijrah. The background of the battle was that Abu Sufyan, the Quraish leader was coming back from Syria with a large trading caravan. He feared the Muslims might attack them so he asked the Quraish for help. The Quraish immediately prepared of ten thousand well equipped men. In the mean time, Abu Sufyan had taken another route and reached Makkah safely. He called back his army but Abu Jahl insisted on attacking. When the Prophet came to know about it, he called his companions to start preparing for battle. The Muslim army had three hundred and thirteen men. Both the armies encamped at Badr. The Muslims were greatly mismatched; three hundred Muslims to one thousand Makkans. Soon the battle began and three people from each side stepped forward for individual combat. From the Makkans were Utbah bin Rabiah, Shaybah and his son Waleed and from the Muslim side Ali (R.A), Hamza (R.A) and Ubaidah bin Jarrah stepped forward The Muslims won the individual combat. Then the general fighting commence. The Muslims emerged victorious despite they were heavily outnumbered. Seventy pagans were killed and many were taken as prisoners. Only 14 Muslims were martyred. The prisoners were treated kindly and many accepted Islam. Those who could read and write were asked to teach ten Muslims for a fixed period of time. Results The Victory at Badr was the most important and decisive victory for the Muslims as it was their first battle. The victory inspired the

Muslims with new hopes and encouraged them to consolidate their success. Seeing this many tribes of Medina embraced Islam hence Islam began to spread more rapidly. Many prominent leaders of the Quraish had been killed except Abu Sufyan thus the Quraish was now weak. Quranic references Allah says about the Battle Indeed there was a sign for you when the two armies met, one army fighting in the way of Allah and the other disbelieving, whom they saw as twice their number, and Allah strengthens His aid to whom He pleases. (Al-Imran 3:12)

Third Year of Hijrah

Battle of Uhad
Causes The causes were generally same as for Battle of Badr. Besides, the defeat at Badr intensified the hatred and enmity of the Quraish. The defeat at Badr lowered the prestige of the Quraish in the eye of whole of Arabia. People wanted to take revenge of their lost ones and approached Abu Sufyan to fight the Muslims again. Abu Sufyan agreed to their requests. Events The Quraish prepared an army of three thousand well equipped men. Women were also allowed to take part in the Battle. Among them were Hinda, Abu Sufyans wife, Umm Hakeem, Abu Jahls granddaughter and Fatima, Khalid bin Waleeds sister. When the Prophet learned about the intentions of the Quraish, he called his companion to prepare for the Battle. The Muslims army were one thousand in number including three hundred men of Abdullah Bin Ubay. Muslim women also took part in the battle including Aisha (R.A), Umme Salma and Umme Ammara. They were to supply water to the wounded soldiers and nurse them. Before the battle, Abdullah bin Ubays men deserted the battlefield decreasing the numerical superiority of the Muslims. The Prophet also appointed

fifty archers to guard the pass behind the Muslims and were instructed not to leave their positions in any circumstances. When the Battle ensued, the Muslims fought bravely. They killed and wounded many Quraish soldiers. Soon the Quraish started to retreat. Seeing this, Muslims rushed for the booty. The archers too abandoned their positions after the booty. Khalid Bin Waleed, a Quraish warrior, grabbed the opportunity, collected his cavalry and attacked the Muslims from the rear. Because of this many unarmed Muslims were killed. The Prophet himself was injured; he suffered wounds on his face, lost a tooth and became unconscious. As a result a rumour spread that the Prophet was killed. The Muslims threw their arms in despair as they were disheartened. But then the Muslims came to knew that the Prophet was alive hence they again started fighting but it was useless. They had already lost the Battle. Seventy Muslims had embraced martyrdom including Hamza (R.A) who had been killed by a slave Wahashi under the command of Hinda. The Muslims had suffered a heavy defeat. Results The defeat at Uhad lowered the prestige of the Muslims in the hearts of neighbouring tribes. As a result several tribes broke their alliances with the Prophet. The defeat had a great moral lesson for the Muslims. They came to know the fact that victory could only come if they obeyed Allah. They became more resolute and sincere towards their religion and Prophet. Quranic references Allah says about the Battle, Allah did indeed fulfil his promise to you when you, with his permission, were about to annihilate your enemy, until you flinched and fell to disputing about the order and you disobeyed, after He had shown you for which you longed, Some of you desired the world, and some of you desired the Hereafter. (AlImran 3:152)

Fourth Year of Hijrah

Banu Nazir
In the 4th year of Hijrah, the Banu Nazir tribe of the Jews plotted to murder the Prophet. The Prophet as a punishment ordered

them to leave Medina within ten days. But they rejected it and shut themselves in their fortresses. At this the Prophet led an army against them and laid siege to their forts. After a siege of two weeks, the Jews surrendered. They were exiled from Medina.

Fifth Year of Hijrah

Battle of Trench
Causes The victory at Uhad encouraged the Quraish who thought that they could now easily finish the Muslims. They were also frightened that further spread of Islam could be dangerous and that it was necessary to defeat the Muslims once and for all. Events Hence the Quraish prepared an army of ten thousand wellequipped men. When the Prophet came to know about it he contacted his companions. One of them, Salman-al-Farsi suggested that a ditch be dug on the three sides of Medina in order to make it impossible for the Quraish to enter Medina. The Prophet agreed to this. A trench was dug for eight days and nights and it was made broad enough to be impassable by a man or house. When the confederates arrived, they were totally surprised as they had never thought of such kind of strategy. Both the armies camped on either sides of the trench and waited for each other to start the fight. Some of the pagans did try to cross the ditch but they were attacked by arrows. Soon the supplies of both the armies started to run out. Then one night a storm blew which uprooted the enemies tents. Their animals were also killed and were forced to retreat. The Muslims had won the war without causing any bloodshed. Results The position of the Quraish after the defeat had been damaged beyond repair. They had lost their trade from other countries and their final offensive against the Muslims had petered out. The victory greatly improved the stature of Prophet in the eyes of Arabia and helped him to consolidate his position. Many tribes as a result accepted Islam henceforth Islam started spreading rapidly. The Jewish tribe of Banu Quraiza were punished as they betrayed the Muslims by helping the enemy. They were punished

according to the Torah. Their men were killed, women and children were taken as slaves and their belongings were taken as booty. Quranic reference Allah says about the battle, O you who believe! Remember Allahs blessing on you when hosts came against you, and we loosen against them a wind, and hosts you did not see. Allah sees what you do. (Al-Ahzab 33:9) Again he says, And, Allah sent back those that were unbelievers in their rage and they attained no good. Allah spared the believers of fighting. Surely Allah is Strong, Mighty. (Al-Ahzab 33:25)

Ayat-ul-Kursi

Sura 2.255 Translation: God! There is no god but He, The living, the self-subsisting. Neither slumber nor sleep can seize him. To him belongs whatever is in the heavens And whatever is in the earth. Who will intercede with him except by his leave? He knows what is in front of them And what is behind them, While they encompass nothing of his knowledge Except what he wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth, And he is never weary of preserving them. He is the sublime, the supreme. Teachings: This verse describes the uniqueness of God. He is One, Supreme, and in total control of the whole of creation. He is beyond human comprehension. Nothing outside him, such as human pleas, can affect God unless he wills to heed. The throne can be seen to represent Gods power and majesty. Teachings in paragraph form:

The passage describes the concept of Tauhid with respect to Allahs matchless attributes. Tauhid means absolute oneness of Allah both in entity and attributes. Since He is the Creator and Lord of the whole universe, nothing is beyond the domain of Allah and none can escape his knowledge. Thus He is perfectly unique and matchless and this makes Him immensely supreme and exalted. Distinctive way: The passage focuses on Allahs attributes that no one can share. These include His being above all human needs and weaknesses. He is ever living. He does not depend on anyone for survival but is the ultimate source of survival for all. His knowledge, like His power, is unbounded and He is absolutely autonomous in all His decrees. The whole universe symbolises His authority and the Quran repeatedly acknowledges this. For example: Blessed be He in whose hands is dominion; and He had power over all things (67:1)