The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 14
Seal of the Prophets - Volume II 14 something available at home, he would especially separate their share. As a matter of fact, at times, the Holy Prophet sa would himself starve and send whatever was in his home to the Aṣḥābuṣ-Ṣuffah. The Anṣār would also remain engaged in their hospitality in as much as possible, and would often attach clusters of dates within the mosque. 1 However, despite all this, they lived in a state of adversity, and would often reach a state of starvation. This state continued until some found work, due to the expansion of Madīnah, and others began receiving support from the National Baitul-Māl. 2 A place of residence was constructed for the Holy Prophet sa adjacent to the mosque. His home was a small chamber of merely ten to fifteen feet. A single entrance led from this chamber to the mosque, from which the Holy Prophet sa would enter the mosque to lead the Ṣalāt , etc. When the number of his wives increased, additional living quarters were also built for the Holy Prophet sa alongside the first. The homes of various other Companions were also built in close proximity of the mosque. This was the Masjid-e-Nabawī , which was constructed in Madīnah. In that era, since there was no other public building where tasks of national importance could be performed, the mosque also served as the headquarters of administration. The assembly of the Holy Prophet sa would take place here. It was here that all types of consultation took place. Legal verdicts were passed from here. It was from here that injunctions would be issued forth. This was the official guesthouse and, if required, it would be used as a confinement for prisoners as well. Alluding to this mosque, Sir William Muir writes: “But though rude in material, and comparatively insignificant in dimension, the Mosque of Mahomet is glorious in the history of Islâm. Here the Prophet and his companions spent the greater portion of their time : here the daily service, with its oft-recurring prayers, was first publicly established : here the great congregation assembled every week, and trembled often while they listened to the orations of the Prophet and his messages from Heaven. Here he planned victories. From this spot he sent forth envoys to kings and emperors with summons to embrace Islâm. Here he received embassies of contrite and believing tribes ; and from hence issued commands which carried consternation amongst the rebellious to the very outskirts of the Peninsula. Hard by, in the 1 Sunanut-Tirmidhī, Kitābu Tafsīril-Qur’ān, Bābu Wa Min Sūratil-Baqarah, Ḥadīth No. 2987 2 National Treasury of the Islamic State [Publishers]