بناء المجتمع

The first advice. A witness of the Prophet's ﷺ arrival in Medina, 'Abdullah ibn Salam, reports his first words: "O people! Spread salam, feed people, pray at night while people are asleep, and you will enter Paradise in peace." (Tirmidhi 2485, Ibn Majah 1334). Notice: these are simple acts, turned towards others and towards Allah.

The mosque. The first thing he did was build a mosque, a simple one, of mud bricks, with palm trunks for pillars. He carried bricks himself with his companions (Bukhari 428 [À VÉRIFIER : numéro]). The mosque was not only a place of prayer: people learned there, the poor and visitors were welcomed there, the community gathered there.

The brotherhood. The emigrants from Mecca (al-Muhajirun) had left everything behind. The Prophet ﷺ paired each of them with a person of Medina (al-Ansar, "the helpers") as a brother. Sa'd ibn ar-Rabi', one of the Ansar, offered to share his property with his brother 'Abd ar-Raḥman ibn 'Awf; 'Abd ar-Raḥman thanked him and only asked to be shown the market, so he could work (Bukhari 2048). Generosity on one side, dignity on the other.

The call to prayer. The Muslims were looking for a way to call people to prayer. A companion, 'Abdullah ibn Zayd, saw the words of the adhan in a dream; the Prophet ﷺ confirmed the dream and asked Bilal, who had a beautiful voice, to make the call (Abu Dawud 499).

Living together. Jewish tribes and non-Muslim Arabs also lived in Medina. According to the books of Sira, a written agreement, often called the "Charter of Medina", set out everyone's rights and duties and the shared defence of the town. Historians discuss its exact form, but agree that such an agreement existed.

The qibla. At first, the Muslims prayed towards Jerusalem. About sixteen or seventeen months after the Hijra, Allah commanded them to turn towards the Kaaba (meaning of 2:144; Bukhari 40).

And you? In your class, your team or your mosque, is there someone new who knows nobody? What would one of the "Ansar" do for them this week?

Understanding the lesson

Explanation On arriving in Medina, the Prophet ﷺ built a community in an order that makes sense. First the mosque: the bond with Allah, and a place to pray, learn and welcome people. Then the brotherhood between the emigrants and the Ansar: the bond between Muslims. Finally an agreement with the other inhabitants of the city: the bond with those who do not share the same religion.

The brotherhood of Medina was not just a nice idea: it reached homes, property and work. The example of Sa'd and 'Abd ar-Rahman shows the balance: the generosity of the one who gives, and the dignity of the one who prefers to work rather than depend on others.

The adhan came from a companion's dream, which the Prophet ﷺ listened to and confirmed. He knew how to listen to other people's ideas.

The change of qiblah was a test: would people follow Allah's command, even when it changed a habit? Allah says He did it "to make evident who would follow the Messenger" (meaning of part of 2:143).

Lessons to draw from it • A strong community is built on three bonds: with Allah, among ourselves, and with our neighbours. • Welcoming newcomers and helping them find their place is doing what the Ansar did. • We can accept help while keeping our dignity, and prefer to work when we are able to. • A good idea can come from anyone: knowing how to listen is part of good leadership.

Key points to remember • First words in Medina: spread the salam, feed people, pray at night (Tirmidhi 2485). • The Prophet's ﷺ mosque, the brotherhood between Muhajirun and Ansar, the adhan given to Bilal. • The qiblah was turned from Jerusalem to the Kaaba about sixteen or seventeen months after the Hijra.

The main message In Medina, the Prophet ﷺ built a community on prayer, brotherhood and agreement with others: faith is lived together.