The Muhaajireen were those Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) who were commanded by Allah Ta‘ala to leave their homeland of Makkah Mukarramah, 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 made this tremendous sacrifice solely for the pleasure of Allah Ta‘ala.

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’ as they assisted the Muhaajireen and supported Islam wholeheartedly.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) knew that on arriving in a foreign land, the Muhaajireen would require support until they became 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 his Muhaajir brother until he gained independence.

Not for a single moment did the Ansaar (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) regard the Muhaajireen as a burden or liability. Rather, they regarded it as an honour to host them, thereby exhibiting a spirit of selflessness, generosity and preference for 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. (Furthermore,) I have two wives. See which of the two you prefer – I will divorce her, and when her ‘iddah terminates, you may marry her.” (Saheeh Bukhari #2048)

The majority of the Ansaar were farmers and earned their livelihood by 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 themselves – the 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 nor who share so excellently from meagre wealth than the people amongst 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) while making 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, and 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, as 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.

3. To uproot yourself from your hometown, where you are established, and leave your friends, family, business and everything else behind, and relocate to a foreign land, is a challenge for any person. Yet, the Muhaajireen made this sacrifice wholeheartedly 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 cause 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 a person to participate in all the various efforts of Deen, thereby enjoying the rewards of all these 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 earn us tremendous returns.