Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
12. Emigration—From Makkah to Madinah
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The greatest damage caused by such interpolations
is that they divert one’s attention to fantastic, far-
fetched tales, and cause one to miss the real lesson,
which is to be derived from purely factual accounts.
THE EMIGRANTS ARE MADE AT HOME
The manner in which the tribes of Madinah aided
the Prophet is one of the most extraordinary events
of history. Because of their assistance, they came to
be known as the Ansar—the Helpers. Usually when
people give something, it is in return for some
favour, or it is in order to ingratiate themselves with
someone. There are also those who give offerings to
“holy men,” because they think that to do so will
cause blessings to descend on their families and
properties. But the emigration of the Prophet is
perhaps the sole example in the annals of history of
people opening their doors to destitute and forlorn
refugees when they themselves had nothing to gain,
and probably a great deal to lose by doing so. The
action of the Ansar was based entirely on their
dedicated commitment to the cause of Islam. Not
only did they accommodate the emigrants in their
homes; they treated them as brothers and sisters,
