Chapter 9

The creation of mankind was an act of unadulterated love, an expression of divine generosity that knows no bounds. Since Allah is absolutely independent (al-Ghanī), this act was free from any possibility of remuneration, a gift given purely out of His infinite mercy. He perfected the gift of existence with guidance (hidāya), making it the key to His pleasure and Jannah. Yet, guidance is not imposed but offered, for it becomes meaningful only through acceptance. This ability to choose, to embrace or reject, sets humans apart from the beasts and inanimate elements of the universe. It is this agency, this trust bestowed upon humanity, that elevates them to a position of divine favor or disobedience. Our beloved Prophet ﷺ was entrusted with the noble task of presenting this guidance to humanity and laying before them the consequential choice. Thus, every human being came into existence with an invitation to Allah’s pleasure and Jannah, each step of the way unfolding as an act of love—each greater than the last.

The Makkan Rejection

Yet, most of the Makkans chose to reject Allah’s Messenger ﷺ and His message. Instead of mere indifference, they opted for obstinate oppression. They mocked, ridiculed, and actively worked to silence the Prophet ﷺ. Similarly, the people of Ṭā’if, unlike the steadfast hills flanking their city, degraded themselves through their vehement opposition. The people’s arrogance and refusal to listen contrasted sharply with the Prophet’s unyielding compassion. Following the Ascension (al-miʻrāj), the Prophet ﷺ renewed and expanded his call. With a heart brimming with hope and love for humanity, he ventured into the tents of visiting tribes during the days of Hajj, presenting the metaphysical truths of existence, a divine moral code, and the path to eternal bliss. Yet, like a pestilent bug feeding upon the seed before its germination, Abū Lahab and others shadowed him, attempting to thwart the message. His efforts were relentless—a whisper of discord at every turn. While one voice called to taqlīd of the prior prophets, the other clung to the ill-fated ways of forefathers. Despite widespread rejection, the seeds of faith found soil in a few hearts, nurtured by the warm light of divine truth.

Sayyidunā Abū Dharr: A Fertile Disposition

Sayyidunā Abū Dharr was one such soul of fertile disposition. A man of simplicity and honesty, he stood in stark contrast to his clan, the Ghifārīs, known for polytheism and looting. The moral uprightness of Abū Dharr, despite the prevailing corruption around him, speaks to the purity of his heart and his natural inclination toward truth. Upon hearing of the Prophet’s ﷺ moving message, he journeyed from the outskirts of Yathrib to Makkah. The journey itself was an act of faith, a testament to his yearning for clarity and guidance. Amid a town rife with disbelief, he encountered Sayyidunā ‘Alī, who embraced the truth wholeheartedly. Sayyidunā Abū Dharr met the Prophet ﷺ in secret, bore witness to his prophethood, and boldly declared his faith at the Kaʼbah. Such courage and conviction, even in the face of violent opposition, underscored his unwavering belief. Enduring the brutal blows of the disbelievers, he returned to his clan, carrying with him the light of guidance. Among the Ghifārīs, Īmān grew until they collectively migrated to Madīnah. Sayyidunā ‘Alī would later testify to Abū Dharr’s courage, saying, “Today, there is no one left who does not fear the criticism of the criticizer for the sake of Allah except Abū Dharr, not even myself.” Such a statement from Sayyidunā ‘Alī himself speaks volumes of Abū Dharr’s fortitude and loyalty to the prophetic way.

Preceding Others

Generations before, a group of Jews had settled in Yathrib, recognizing signs of the awaited prophet’s arrival. They had awaited his coming with a hope born of sacred texts, their hearts heavy with anticipation. Misinterpreting the signs, they believed he would emerge from their own lineage. Their hearts, however, became ensnared by jealousy and arrogance, a toxic combination that would later blind many of them to the truth. Taunting the town’s Arabs, they boasted of the day their promised prophet would lead them to dominance. Ironically, their words planted seeds of prophethood in the hearts of the Arabs, who would ultimately precede them in accepting the Prophet ﷺ. During Hajj, a group of Yathrib Arabs encountered the Prophet ﷺ at ʻAqabah. These Arabs, from the feuding tribes of Aws and Khazraj, bore years of battle scars—sword against sword, heart against heart. Yet, beneath their conflict lay soft, generous, and loving natures. Allah the Exalted says about them, “[The Anṣār] have love for those who emigrated to them, and do not feel in their hearts any ambition for what is given to the former ones, and give preference (to them) over themselves, even though they are in poverty. And those who are saved from the greed of their hearts are the successful.” These visitors arrived at Minā with heartfelt duʻās for healing and peace. Unlike other pilgrims, they inclined toward the Prophet ﷺ and embraced his guidance. Meeting with them individually and in groups, often under the cover of night to avoid Quraysh’s meddling, the Prophet ﷺ witnessed their immediate love for him. Through this love, Allah united their hearts, ending their feuds. So profound was their collective acceptance that Yathrib became Madīnah al-Nabī, the City of the Prophet. In contrast, many Madinan Jews, despite recognizing him as the promised prophet, were blinded by obstinacy and jealousy, depriving themselves of love, guidance, and ultimately, residence in the blessed city.

Madīnah: The City of the Prophet

Madīnah stood as a fortress of gentle soil and fertile hearts, cradled by mountains; an oasis amid barren times and corrupted lands. It’s been said that every person is buried in the soil from which he was formed. Thus, Madinah waited patiently since the dawn of time for the Prophet’s ﷺ return to her soil. One even imagines the womb yearning to fulfill its destined role as the cradle of a blessed lineage. Salmā bint ‘Amr, the mother of ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib and a noblewoman of the Banū Najjār of Madinah, carried within her the seeds that would culminate in the Prophet’s ﷺ anticipated return to Madinah. Sayyidunā Sa‘d ibn Mu‘ādh was the first to embrace Islam, and through the tireless efforts of Sayyidunā Muṣ‘ab ibn ‘Umayr, the faith took root, grew swiftly, and extended to every home in Madīnah. Muṣ‘ab’s efforts in spreading Islam showcased the transformative power of a message delivered with sincerity and love. How admirable is the Islam of one who loved the Messenger through his messenger! From this land, the tree of Islam branched further, bearing fruits that reached every corner of the globe. The fragrance of Madīnah’s faith would inspire countless generations, its roots anchoring the global ummah.

The Hijrah: A Test of Love and Sacrifice

But first, the Makkan Muslims had to undertake their migration (hijrah) to Madīnah. On the Prophet’s ﷺ instructions, they left one by one, each carrying the hope of reuniting with him. Perhaps the greatest test of love lies in separation at the request of the beloved. This migration tore apart families, both extended and immediate. For instance, Sayyidunā Abū Salamah prepared to migrate with his wife and son, only for his wife’s clan to seize her and his son’s clan to snatch him away. Abū Salamah reached Madīnah, separated from all three. Yet, his sacrifice did not go unnoticed by Allah, for he was later reunited with them in Madīnah and will be again in the hereafter. Such trials, though heart-wrenching, underscored the depth of commitment and faith among the believers. Their migration was not merely a physical journey but a profound testament to their love and trust in Allah and His Messenger.

The Unique Devotion of the Anṣār

This was merely the beginning for the Anṣār. They understood their assistance would come at a price, for no claim to love remains untested. Unlike other helpers, the Anṣār were exceptional. When Sayyidunā Mūsā’s followers said, “So go, you and your Lord, and fight. As for us, we are sitting right here,” and Sayyidunā ‘Īsā’s helpers demanded, “Would your Lord be willing to send down to us a table spread with food from heaven?”, the Anṣār sought nothing from the Prophet ﷺ and offered him everything. Their love was pure, untainted by conditions or demands, a reflection of true devotion.

True love is losing oneself entirely to the beloved. It is a flame that consumes all else, leaving only the Beloved. The Anṣār gave everything for the Prophet ﷺ without hesitation or condition. They abandoned their worldly comforts and personal desires to aid him. When the Prophet ﷺ asked the Anṣār to welcome the Muhājirūn, they did so not only with open arms but with open hearts, sharing their homes, wealth, and even land without reservation. This was love in its purest form, a burning flame that left no room for selfishness, illuminating only devotion to the Beloved.

Echoing the spirit of the Anṣār, a poet once wrote:

Love is that flame which, when it blazes up, Burns everything except the Beloved.

Likewise, the Prophet ﷺ said to them, “I am of you, and you are of me.” No greater honor can be claimed in this world, for this bond between the Prophet ﷺ and the Anṣār was forged in love, solidified in sacrifice, and destined to echo throughout eternity.