Fath al-Rabbani

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) stayed in Makkah for ten years. He used to go to the camps of people in ‘Ukaz and Majannah, and during the Hajj season he would go to Mina and say: “Who will provide me a place? Who will help me so that I may convey the message of my Lord? And Paradise will be for that person.” Until a man would set out from Yemen or Mudar for Makkah, and his people would come to him and say: “Beware of the Qurayshi man, lest he put you into trial.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would walk among their houses, and they would point towards him with their fingers, until Allah Almighty sent us from Yathrib. So we gave him a place and affirmed him. Then a man from among us would go out, believe in the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and he (peace and blessings be upon him) would teach him the Noble Qur’an. Then he would return to his family, and they too would become Muslim because of his Islam, until there was not a single neighborhood among the Ansar except that a group of Muslims had arisen in it, who would openly declare Islam. Then all these people gathered and consulted together, and we said: “How long will we leave the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) such that he is not given a place among the mountains of Makkah and remains in fear there?” So seventy of us set out, until we reached the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) during the Hajj season. We had already agreed to meet the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) at the pass of ‘Aqabah. So we went to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in pairs, until all of us gathered with him. We said: “O Messenger of Allah! Shall we pledge allegiance to you?” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Pledge allegiance to me on the condition that you will listen and obey, in eagerness and in reluctance (i.e., in every condition), that you will spend in hardship and in ease, that you will enjoin good and forbid evil, that you will speak for Allah and not fear the blame of any blamer regarding Him, and that you will pledge to help me and protect me when I come to you from those things from which you protect yourselves, your wives, and your sons. In return for these matters, you will have Paradise.” So we stood up and pledged allegiance to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Sayyiduna As‘ad bin Zurarah (may Allah be pleased with him), who was the youngest among us, took the hand of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and said: “O people of Yathrib! Wait a moment. We have come from afar for this purpose, knowing that he is the Messenger of Allah. But remember, taking him from here today is like inviting the enmity of all the Arabs, having your beloved ones killed, and being cut by swords. Now, either you remain patient over these trials and your reward will be with Allah Almighty, or if you fear cowardice, then clarify it now; this will be your excuse before Allah Almighty.” The rest of the Ansar said to Sayyiduna As‘ad (may Allah be pleased with him): “O As‘ad! Move aside from before us. By Allah, we will never abandon this pledge nor take it back.” Then we stood up towards the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and pledged allegiance to him. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) took the pledge from us and placed conditions upon us, and in return for this action, Allah Almighty will grant us Paradise. May Allah be pleased with all of them.