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Sometimes you can predict the success of a
mission or a project very early. It is not that you can see
the unseen or know the unknown, but it is actions that speak
louder than words. Sincere actions can tell you that those
involved in the mission or project are serious and are ready
to sacrifice their time and effort for the sake of a noble
goal, regardless of worldly gains. Other actions can surely
indicate the opposite.
Some may choose to relate the major and
central incident of Hijrah starting from the migration of
Muslims of Makkah in response to Allah's command. However, I
believe that the incidents that eventually led to the Hijrah
had started earlier.
It all started in the 11th year of
prophethood during the season of Hajj at `Aqabah. At that
place, there was a historic meeting between Prophet Muhammad
(peace and blessings be upon him) and tribesmen from Yathrib
(old name of Madinah). During that meeting, six young people
from Al-Khazraj tribe accepted Islam almost readily.
Signs of success and indications of
sincerity were obvious from the first moments. Those young
people seemed ready for the heavy responsibility. The road
was paved for the new message in their pure souls.
Many tribes didn’t even agree to listen to
prophet Muhammad when he asked to talk to them-had they
listened with opened hearts the would accept Islam directly.
Many reasons contributed to the fact that
young men from Yathrib didn’t initially reject the call.
One of these reasons was the Jews of Yathrib, who would
always say that a prophet was about to come and that they
were to follow him and smite their enemies (who would then
be the people of Yathrib), just as the peoples of `Aad and
Iram were smitten.
Thus, when the Prophet called the people of
Yathrib to Islam at `Aqabah, they started to spread rumors.
They would say to one another, "Know that surely this
is the Prophet with whom the Jews are ever threatening us,
wherefore let's make haste and be the first to join
him." So, first they knew he was a prophet, thus
decided to precede the Jews in accepting the message of
Islam.
Another reason was the longing of the people
of Yathrib for unity, especially that there had long been
deep-rooted enmity and difference between the two largest
tribes of Yathrib — Al-Awss and Al-Khazraj. The people of
Yathrib immediately understood that Islam is a call for
unity. Therefore, the six young people said to the Prophet,
We have left our people because no tribe
is so divided by hatred and rancor as they are. May
Allah cement our ties through you. So, let's go and
invite them to this religion of yours, and if Allah
unites them through it, no man will be dearer than you.
Signs of Change
First sign. These young people were
wise enough to see the difference between the Islamic call
and tribalism, which was prevalent during jahiliyyah
(pre-Islamic ignorance). When the sex young men went back to
Yathrib, they started to invite all people to Islam; they
did not choose to invite only those belonging to their
tribe. Islam then widely spread and reached nearly every
house in Yathrib. As one may tell, this was the first seed
of brotherhood between the two rival tribes.
The following year, on the occasion of Hajj,
a group of 12 tribesmen willingly and keenly came from
Yathrib ready to recognize Muhammad as their Prophet. They
avowed their faith and made their pledges:
We will worship none but Allah; we will
not steal; we will not commit adultery; we will not kill
our children. We will not utter slander or intentionally
forge falsehood. We will not disobey you in any just
matter.
This was the First Pledge of `Aqabah. The
Prophet then sent Mus`ab ibn `Umayr with the 12 tribesmen as
a teacher and a guide for the new Muslim community.
With time, Islam flourished in Yathrib and
soon grew to a sizable community of believing and practicing
men and women. The members of this new community would learn
from the noble teacher Mus`ab about Islam. They would listen
to his advice in all matters. They would practice what they
learned and convey the teachings of Islam to their families
and friends. They formed a continuously growing model
community and dedicated their lives to the worship of Allah,
the One and Only True Lord.
The year passed quickly, and it was Hajj
season again. Driven by their passion and care for the new
religion, the "future helpers" were able to sneak
away from the whole atheist pilgrimage camp in the middle of
the night, without making anyone feel their movements and
without causing any noise. It was a top-secret plan; no man
or woman uttered a word about its time or place. In fact,
this was another sign of change and belief — a sign that
the people of Yathrib did care about Islam.
Second sign. In jahiliyyah,
women were neither allowed to participate in the political
life nor allowed to make pledges that would affect the
future of their tribes. It was a great change in the tribal
way of thinking that women were invited to Islam just as men
were invited. Women were given their due role in building
their nascent Ummah. In the Second Pledge of `Aqabah, in
addition to seventy-three men, two women were present:
Nusaibah bint Ka`b and Asmaa' bint `Amr. Both women pledged
to the Prophet their support and protection. Another sign of
success and proof of change bloomed when the 75 man and
woman committed themselves to this pledge.
Third sign. Before Islam, people
were living a very material life: Everything would be
measured in terms of money; nothing was given without
something worldly in return. Nevertheless, the people of
Yathrib pledged that they would
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Listen and obey in all sets of
circumstances
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Spend (in the cause of Allah) in
prosperity and in adversity
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Enjoin good and forbid evil
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Fear the censure of none, when they
serve Allah
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Defend the Prophet when he seeks
their help and protect him from anything that they
protect their own selves, spouses, and children from.
In return for these pledges, the Prophet did
not promise them money, fame, or even victory: They were
only promised Paradise. At this, they immediately asked the
Prophet to stretch out his hand, and they all stretched out
their hands and made their pledges.
The Second Pledge of `Aqabah, which later
came to be known as the Great Pledge of `Aqabah, effected an
atmosphere of love, allegiance, and mutual support among the
Muslims of Madinah and the oppressed ones of Makkah. This
new spirit of affection, rapport, and cooperation could
never be attributed to a momentary emotion or a mutual
worldly interest. On the contrary, it totally emerged from
Muslims' belief in Allah, His Messenger, and His book.
Muslims' belief was so deeply rooted in
their hearts that it was immune against all powers of
injustice and aggression. That sort of belief could be
translated into miracles in the practical aspects of action
and ideology. It was the real instrument through which
Muslims were able to record unprecedented achievements in
the history of humanity. Indeed, the future of all humans
will always remain in need of the contributions of such
great men and women.
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