Difficulties in Madinah

Although the immigrants rejoiced over their freedom from the pagans, life in Madinah presented several difficulties. They had left their homes and belongings and now had to start all over again. Most of them had been traders, while the main occupation in Madinah was date cultivation. Furthermore, the climate did not suit the newcomers, many of whom were soon stricken with fever. The Prophet was aware of the great sense of displacement among the Muhajireen (immigrants), and he made the following prayer: “O Allah! Make Madinah as dear to us as Makkah was, or even dearer! Make its climate salubrious and bless its fruits and grains!”

 Allah granted the Prophet’s prayer. The immigrants regained their health and began to love Madinah. As they became engaged in establishing social and emotional ties in Madinah, they found the city becoming more of a home to them.

The Prophet’s Mosque

Soon after arriving in Madinah, the Prophet began the process of setting up the first Muslim state. First, he launched the construction of a mosque. He bought the land where his shecamel had knelt down, about one hundred cubits in length and breadth. There were a few graves located on the land which had to be moved, as well as some date trees that had to be replanted. The mosque’s walls were made of earth and unbaked bricks; its roof was made from branches of date-trees, and tree trunks served as columns. Sand and pebbles were spread on the floor. The mosque had three doors and the Qiblah (a niche in the wall where the leader of the prayer stands) was made to face the direction of Bait Al-Maqdis (Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem).

The Prophet worked along with the Muhajireen (the Makkan immigrants) and the Ansar (the Muslims of Madinah) building the mosque. While they carried bricks, rocks and tree trunks, they chanted work songs to make their toil easier. Two apartments were also built near the mosque for the Prophet’s wives, Saudah bint Zam’a and Aishah bint Abu Bakr, whom the Prophet married soon after he arrived in Madinah. These apartments were built of stone, mud, and date palms.