ERA OF ISLAM

In the sixth month of Hijra, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) established the relationship of brotherhood between the Muhajireen and Ansar. As stated above, those who came from Mecca were called as’Muhajir’ which means'one that left his native land and went somewhere else for a noble cause. As the Muslims who had come from Mecca to Madina only for the cause of Islam and were deprived of their hearth and homes deserved and needed help to rehabilitate them. On the other hand, the Muslims of Madina. Who were well-to-do people, were ready to help their Muhajir brethren in every way and so they got the title of'Ansar or'those that help.

          Under these circumstances, the Holy Prophet (PBUH)established"Mawakhat’ or the system of brotherhood between the Muhajireen and Ansar, under this system an individual Muhajir was made the brother of an individual Ansari. This was a unique system that has no other instance anywhere in the world. Under this system. Two men, who had no relation or connection at all, in the past, after this became more than real brothers. Every one of the Ansar who got a Muhajir as his brother gave an equal share in his property and belongings to his Muhajir brother. Some of the Ansar who had more than one wife went up to the extent that they offered to divorce one of their wives so that their Muhajir brothers (in case he had no wife) could marry the divorced ladies.

          This system of brotherhood among the Muhajireen and Ansar, in those days of tribal enmity and prejudices, was really a revolutionary system that has no parallel anywhere else in the history of mankind. The system not only helped in the rehabilitation of the Muhajirs but also created deep love and between the Muhajirs and Ansar. This also shows that the spirit of Islam can join and put together peoples of different lands, tribes, families and nationalities. The spirit of Islam can bring together Abu Bakr (RA)of Mecca, Abu Ayub (RA)of Madina, Salman (RA) of Persia and Bilal (RA)of Habash under one brotherhood, but Hamza (RA)and Abu Lahab (RA)in spite of being the sons of same father cannot stand together.