ERA OF ISLAM

When the Prophet (PBUH) reached the locality of Banu Salem it was the time of noon prayer. The Prophet (PBUH) got down from Quswa and delivered a sermon. After the sermon, with all his companions, he performed the Jum'a prayer. This was the first sermon and first prayer of Jum'a (Friday prayer).

           After the prayer was over, the Holy Prophet entered the city from its southern side. Now the question was who would be fortunate enough to receive the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as his guest. Everyone of every tribe wanted to be the host of Allah's Messenger. The tribe of Banu Najjar had every hope because it was related to the Prophet (PBUH) through his mother Hazrat Amena. Even the little girls of this tribe were singing merrily to receive the Prophet (PBUH).

          On the other hand, the chiefs of other tribes also began to come one after another with the request that the Prophet (PBUH) should kindly be the guest of their tribe. In reply, to them the Prophet (PBUH). Declared, "Let this she-camel (Quswa) go and stay where she wants to. She has already been directed by ALLAH (SUBHANA WA TALA)."

          And so everyone eagerly began to observe the she-camel which at first stopped at the place where, nowadays, there is the Main gate of Masjid-e-Nabvi' (The Prophet Mosque). But after a few moments, Quswa again stood up and started to go ahead. She, however, did not go further but came back again to the place where she had first stayed and sat. As the place, was in front of Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari's (RA) house (of Banu Najjar) so he got the opportunity to be the host of the Messenger of ALLAH (SUBHANA WA TALA).

          It was the month of Rabiul Awwal(13th year of Nabuwah) when the Holy Prophet((S.A.W) migrated from Mecca to Yasrib. And it was that day when the city of Yasrib was renamed as"Madinatun-Nabi’ or the city of the Prophet (PBUH) short form of which is or from this event of the Prophet's Hijrah (migration), the Hijrah Era of Islam commenced.