The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 9
I - Early Establishment of Madīnah and Foundation of the Islāmic Government 9 great significance in the Islāmic Sharī‘at. 1 In this service, the Imām delivers a sermon in which matters of current relevance are discussed. The congregation is exhorted with regards to faith and good deeds, and after this, two Rak‘āt 2 of obligatory prayer are offered. The Holy Prophet sa would also instruct that on Friday, every Muslim should, as much as possible: bathe, wear clean clothes, use fragrance, and reach the mosque before the sermon begins. In remembrance, a mosque named Masjidul-Jumu‘ah has now been built at the place where the Holy Prophet sa led this first Friday Prayer service. After completing the Friday Prayers, the caravan of the Holy Prophet sa continued to slowly proceed further. When the Holy Prophet sa would pass by the homes of Muslims, in the fervour of their love they would move forward and say, “O Messenger of Allāh! This is our home. Our wealth and lives are at your behest. We also possess means of protection. Please stay with us. ” The Holy Prophet sa would supplicate for their prosperity and slowly moved towards the city. In the fervour of their happiness, the Muslim ladies and girls climbed the roofs of their homes and began singing: ْ مِن ْ ثَنِیَّات ِ الْوَدَاع ُعَلَیْنَا طَلَع َالبَدْر ْ مَا دَعَا لِلّٰه ِدَاع وَجَب َ الشُّكْر ُ عَلَیْنَا “Today, the full moon has risen upon us from the valleys of Mount Wadā‘; 3 For this reason, gratitude to Allāh has become forever obligatory upon us. ” 4 The Muslim children ran about in the streets and alleys of Madīnah singing, “Muḥammad sa has arrived. The Messenger of Allāh has arrived. ” To express their happiness upon the arrival of the Holy Prophet sa , the Abyssinian slaves of Madīnah would move about demonstrating their feats of swordsmanship. When the Holy Prophet sa entered the city, every individual desired that the Holy Prophet sa stay with him. Each and every person would advance to offer his services. The Holy Prophet sa would respond lovingly to everyone, and move forward until his she-camel reached the neighborhood of the Banū Najjār. At 1 Religious Law [Publishers] 2 The plural of Rak‘at , which is a single cycle or unit in prayer [Publishers] 3 Wadā‘ is the name of a mount or in light of various narrations, the name of various mounts. 4 Sharḥul-‘Allāmatiz-Zarqānī ‘Alal-Mawāhibil-Ladunniyyah, By Allāmah Shihābuddīn Al-Qusṭalānī, Volume 2, p. 165, Khātimatu Fī Waqā’i‘i Mutafarriqatin Ḥaṣalat Fil-Hijrati. . . . . , Dārul-Kutubil- ‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996)