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place, and used more effectively for the furtherance of the Islamic
cause. When the Aws and Khazraj swore allegiance, the Prophet
quickly returned to his companions. “Praise God,” he told them,
“for todayRabia’s offspring have as good as overcome the Persians.”
The Prophet began to make preparations for emigration to
Madinah. He was to take six months after the conversion of
the Aws and Khazraj to do this. All this while he attempted to
maintain the utmost secrecy, but still the idolaters, the Quraysh,
learnt of his plans to leave. They heard about the refuge granted to
him in Madinah, and the protection extended to him by theAnsar.
They learnt also of the Ansar’s acceptance of Islam, and that the
Muslims were gathering in Madinah. Plotting against the Prophet,
they decided to take him captive at the moment of his departure
and then either kill him or keep him prisoner. But their plans
came to nothing. When all his arrangements were complete, he
succeeded in slipping away quietly for his new abode.
(Al-Bidayah
wan-Nihayah,
Vol. 3, p. 145)
E
migration
The assistance given by the tribes of Madinah to the Prophet is
one of the most extraordinary events of history. Because of this,
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 possessions.
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, and shared their
