New Islamic year of Hijri Calendar has commenced which marks the great event of migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) from Makkah to Madinah. This gives us an opportunity to learn about some of the great tasks accomplished by the Prophet after reaching Madinah and establishing a new society. Prophet Muhammad performed nine important tasks, while establishing the first Islamic society in Madinah that are very much relevant for us even today. If we analyse these nine tasks, it was focused on the religious, cultural, educational, economic and social development of the community. He enlightened us to care for overall development of the society.
The nine tasks he performed after migration to Madinah were as follows: 1. Construction of Masjid Quba; 2. Establishment of a School by the name of Ashab Al Suffa; 3. Agreement of brotherhood between migrants and inhabitants; 4. Peace treaty and interfaith relations; 5. Cleaning the city of Yathrib and converting it into the new city of Madinah; 6. Addressing water scarcity; 7. Promoting agriculture and gardening; 8. Poverty eradication; and 9. Establishment of safety, security, law, and order.
CONSTRUCTION OF MASJID
Prophet Muhammad established the first Masjid of Madinah ‘Quba Masjid’ as an Islamic centre. It was a place of worship for the entire family, including women and children. People go to Masjid to get guidance for addressing community issues, learning, solving their disputes and so many other things. In the Gulf countries, we find that many Masjids play similar multifarious roles. Masjid Al Kabir of Kuwait or Masjid Al Fateh of Bahrain can be quoted as an example in this regard. Many multidimensional activities are going on in these places of worship under one roof. Even non-Muslims visit the masjid for the cultural understanding and this has paved way for great understanding of Islam among non-Muslims. We still miss this kind of activities in Masjids in India in general and the coastal districts of Karnataka in particular. Wherever possible, it is necessary to develop the masjids as Islamic Centres and to utilise the infrastructure and venue of the Masjids for the betterment of the community and interfaith understanding.
ISLAMIC SCHOOLS
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) established a learning centre called ‘Ashab Al Suffa’ and facilitated boarding and lodging for the students to encourage learning. Schools and learning centres are the pressing need of Muslim community even today. When I was scanning for a good school for girls in Mangalore City, I found that none of the CBSE schools except the Muslim management schools allows Muslim girls to wear hijab. The scenario in other parts of coastal district may not be different. We are badly in need of more and more schools where Muslim students may avail themselves of basic Islamic teachings coupled with modern quality education. This is necessary to develop efficient future leaders for the community.
UNITY AMONG MUSLIMS
In order to bring unity the Prophet established treaty of brotherhood among Muslims who migrated from Makkah (Muhajirs) and resident Muslims of Madinah (Ansars). This is relevant even today as unity among Muslims is a pressing need in today’s society. Muslim organisations and movements should ensure that in the process of reformation and enlightenment of Muslims they are not dividing the community. Division of the community is disastrous while it is facing so many social, economic and political challenges. Unity and tolerance of various viewpoints is basic requisite of the community. Religious scholars and community leaders need to play a role in this regard.
INTERFAITH RELATIONS
The Prophet also arranged a peace treaty between people of various faiths living in Madinah, which is another relevant initiative for us to emulate. We are living in a multicultural and multi-religious society. It is a fact that the majority of the non-Muslims in our region are peace-loving and tolerant people. However, a small number of communal elements are trying their level best to spread hatred and polarise society based on religion. Developing constructive and peaceful relationship and mutual appreciation between people of various faiths are very important for the peaceful coexistence and development. Muslims should lead by example by contributing positively to the society and living with harmony in achieving the interfaith understanding in the society.
CLEANLINESS
Cleanliness is among the primary teachings of Islam and it admonishes that cleanliness is half of faith. Our beloved Prophet ordered to cleanse the city of Madinah, which was very unclean while Muslims reached there after migration. Muslims converted the city of Yathrib into a clean, green and progressive city and renamed it as ‘Madinah Al Nabi’, the city of the Prophet. However today, Muslim localities and areas are not known for their cleanliness, which was supposed to be the integral part of their faith. It is a great accomplishment for us when we acquire these qualities and when people start recognising Muslims for this kind of attributes.
DEVELOPING WATER RESOURCES AND PROMOTING VEGETATION
While Prophet Muhammad reached Madinah there was severe scarcity of water. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) addressed this problem by requesting people to dig as many water wells as possible. When someone asked Prophet Muhammad what can he do for his deceased parents, the Prophet advised him to dig water well on their behalf. Even today, we can see that the people of Gulf countries are paying large amount as charity to dig wells in so many countries including India, motivated by this Prophetic injunction.
As per the advice of Prophet Muhammad, his companion Uthman Ghani purchased a famous water well of Madinah known even today as ‘Bi’ar Uthman’ (Water well of Uthman) and donated it for charitable purposes. It is considered the first ‘wakf’ (endowment) from where the concept of endowment originated. Today there are ministry of wakf in every Muslim and non-Muslim country.
Likewise, the Prophet introduced a new law stipulating that the ownership of the land will be given to the one who cultivates a bare land. This was an important step to boost agrarian economy. Thus severe scarcity of water and food grains in Madinah was addressed. It is a responsibility of the Muslims to care for the basic humanitarian issues, which may lead them towards collective leadership.
POVERTY ERADICATION
Poverty eradication was another important task performed by the Prophet in Madinah. Islam is the only religion on earth which makes it a compulsion for its followers who are affluent to pay 2.5% of their wealth as poor due (Zakat) for poverty eradiation. The Zakat money can be spent only on eight predefined heads and this careful categorisation is mainly for the purpose of poverty eradication. There are instances in Islamic history that when well-organised system of collection and distribution of Zakat was implemented, poverty was completely eradicated from Muslim societies. Even today, if an organised system of Zakat is implemented at least in a humble way, we can address the issue of poverty, which is a major problem today.
SAFETY SECURITY AND LAW AND ORDER
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be to him) ensured safety and security of Madinah by establishing first written constitution of the world and ensuring rights of non-Muslim citizens of land in particular. This is again a relevant example for us to follow.
Muslims need to strengthen their image as law abiding and positively contributing community. It is a religious obligation and a need of the community. Globally there is an ongoing organised effort to malign the image of Islam and Muslims in the name of fight against terrorism. As a part of this conspiracy, thousands of innocent Muslim boys are victimised in the name of terrorism. One of the ways to address this issue is to play a responsible role in safeguarding safety, security, law, and order of the society at large and the Muslim community in particular.
For Muslims, being religious is definitely not a mere change in their attire and looks or following certain rituals. The Prophetic example of being religious opens an array of responsibilities before us. Caring for these nine tasks is a part of our religious obligations and heeding to this may definitely make a difference in our society.
[The writer is a Marketing Executive in Petrochemical Sector, faculty and project guide for management students and authorised Khateeb from the Ministry of Awkaf, Kuwait]