Message for Friday - Reflect on early Islamic history while pilgrims are in Al-Madinah

Prior to the pilgrimage to Makkah, Hajj, begins, many pilgrims visit the City of the Prophet Muhammad (SAAS), Al-Madinah, to worship at his mosque. Also in close proximity, there are other locations were pilgrims visit to reflect upon the sacrifices of the early Muslims.

Some of these important sites and lessons are the following:

1) Masjid Al-Qiblatayn
Location of where the Qiblah was turned for Muslims in Salaah. Muslims prayed towards Jerusalem for 18 months while in Al-Madinah before changing direction. It is narrated that the Jews used to say, “By G’d, Muhammad and his companions did not know where their Qiblah was until we directed them!”

قَدْ نَرَى تَقَلُّبَ وَجْهِكَ فِي السَّمَاءِ فَلَنُوَلِّيَنَّكَ قِبْلَةً تَرْضَاهَا فَوَلِّ وَجْهَكَ شَطْرَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَحَيْثُمَا كُنْتُمْ فَوَلُّوا وُجُوهَكُمْ شَطْرَهُ وَإِنَّ الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ لَيَعْلَمُونَ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ مِنْ رَبِّهِمْ وَمَا اللَّهُ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا يَعْمَلُونَ

G'd (عزّ و جلّ) says in Al-Qur’an (2:144):
Certainly, We have seen you turn your face to the sky, so surely We shall make you the guardian of the Qiblah that you is pleasing. Turn your face in the direction of The Sacred Mosque. And wherever you are, turn your faces towards it. And surely those who have been given the Book most certainly know it is the truth from their Lord, and G'd is not heedless of what they do.


2) Battle of Badr
Two years after Hijra in the 17th of Ramadan – 313 Muslim against 1,300 polytheists. The Muslims were victorious.

إِذْ تَسْتَغِيثُونَ رَبَّكُمْ فَاسْتَجَابَ لَكُمْ أَنِّي مُمِدُّكُمْ بِأَلْفٍ مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ مُرْدِفِينَ

G'd (عزّ و جلّ) says in Al-Qu’an (8:9):
Remember when you sought the aid of your Lord, so HE answered you: I will assist you with a thousand angels following one another.

3) Battle of Uhud
Three years after Hijra (migration) in the 7th of Shawwal – 700 Muslims against 3,000 polytheists. Originally 1,000 Muslims but 300 showed hypocrisy under the Chief Hypocrite Abdullah bin Ubay. 65 Muslims were martyred.

وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

G'd (عزّ و جلّ)says in Al-Qur’an (3:132):
And obey G'd and the messenger in order that you receive mercy.

4) Battle of the Ditch (Also called Battle of the Confederates)
Five years after Hijra in Dhul-Qa`dah lasting 25 days. 3,000 Muslims against 10,000 polytheists and Jews from 3 tribes that broken their covenant with the Muslims.


مَا جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِرَجُلٍ مِنْ قَلْبَيْنِ فِي جَوْفِهِ

G'd (عزّ و جلّ)says in Al-Qur’an (33:4):
G'd has not made for man two hearts in his chest.

And surely G'd knows best.