THE PROPHET’S MOSQUE

The next most important task for the Prophet was to build a mosque. This mosque was built on the land he had bought from the orphans. It had mud walls and a roof of palm leaves. Huts were built right next to the mosque for the Prophet’s family.

A platform with a thatched roof was built in one corner of the mosque. Poor people who had no home or family lived here. They spent their time in worship and prayer. They were fed by those Muslims who could afford to do so. They also sometimes earned their living by collecting wood from the jungle and selling it in the market. These people came to be known as Ashab-e-Suffa, the people of the bench. Abu Hurayrah, also one of the Ashab-e-Suffa, was the most constant attendant of the Prophet. He related more traditions of the sayings and doings of the Prophet than any other companion.

Yathrib was inhabited mainly by the tribes of Aws and Khazraj. Both tribes rapidly entered the fold of Islam. Some Jewish tribes also lived in the city. They were rich, owned orchards and were very powerful.

Now the Prophet turned his attention to the vital task of establishing friendly relations with various tribes. The Banu Qaynuqa, Banu Nadir, and Banu Qurayza were the Jewish tribes that were neither friendly nor hostile towards the Aws and Khazraj. However, now that the Aws and Khazraj had accepted Islam, making a new treaty to determine each other’s rights and duties in the new scheme of things was necessary, with the Prophet as their leader.

This pact dictated by the Prophet granted full religious freedom to the Jews. The Muslims and the Jews had to live in peace and amity together as brothers, helping one another in times of need.

After the conclusion of this treaty, Islam found a safe home in Yathrib.