This is the approximate spot where existed the house of Abu Ayyub Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him). This is where the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) initially stayed for several months on his migration to Medina, while Masjid-e-Nabwi and the adjoining rooms for his wives were being built.
- When the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) entered Medina he told the people to allow his camel to go her own way for “
she is guided by Allah.”
All of the Muslims desired that he would lodge with them. Finally the she-camel knelt, but the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) did not dismount. The animal rose to its feet again, ambled ahead for some distance, and then turned back and knelt in the same place it had before. Masjid-e-Nabwi was erected on this very spot.
- Adjacent to the spot where the camel knelt was the house of Abu Ayyub Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) who hurried to lift the saddle from the camel and took it to his home. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) remarked humorously, “
A man must follow his saddle,”
and went along with Abu Ayyub. Asad bin Zurara (may Allah be pleased with him) took hold of the halter, so he was allowed to take care of the camel.
- According to other reports, lots were cast and was drawn in the favour of Abu Ayyub Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him).
- The house of Abu Ayyub Ansari was double-storied. When it was settled that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) would stay at this place, he offered the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) to stay on the upper storey but the Prophet could not agree to this proposal, as he felt that people frequently coming to meet him would disturb his (Abu Ayyub’
s) family. Thus the ground floor was made vacant for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Abu Ayyub (may Allah be pleased with him) sent meals to him twice a day and whatever he left uneaten was shared by Abu Ayyub and his wife. He would look at the marks of the Prophet’
s (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) fingers on the food and place his own fingers at the same spots as a source of blessing.
- Although the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) had stayed at the ground floor according to his own wish, it was quite unbearable for Abu Ayyub (may Allah be pleased with him) and his wife that they should live upstairs while the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was downstairs. They were much disturbed to think that in this way they were showing disrespect to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). One night they could not sleep and passed the whole night sitting in a corner of the roof. In the morning Abu Ayyub (may Allah be pleased with him) came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and said, “
O Prophet of Allah, we could not sleep at night but passed the whole night sitting in a corner of the roof.”
When the Prophet asked the cause, he replied, “
Our parents may be sacrificed on you, we always remain thinking that we are committing disrespect to you. Last night this feeling grew to the utmost and we could not sleep.”
After this he requested, “
O Prophet of Allah, have mercy upon us and kindly shift upstairs. We are your slaves and shall remain satisfied under your feet.”
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) granted his request and moved upstairs while Abu Ayyub and his wife moved to the ground floor.
- Abu Ayyub Ansari’
s (may Allah be pleased with him) full name was Khalid ibn Zayd ibn Kulayb. His grave lies in Istanbul where he was honoured with martyrdom during the siege of Constantinople in the caliphate of Muawiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) in 48 AH.
