Mar 11
Moakhat - Brotherhood among Ansar and Muhajireen
Tuesday 11 Ramadan, 1446
Mar 11
Tuesday 11 Ramadan, 1446
Islam is a religion of peace and unification. It teaches us that there should be unity and brotherhood among all Muslims, irrespective of their caste, race, or color. Moakhat is one of the most essential concepts in Islam. It simply means unity, brotherhood, and solidarity. It is interpreted as all Muslims, whether they are rich or poor, black, or white, belong to any sect or caste, and all are brothers to each other. This concept implies that every Muslim should take care of other Muslims just like his kin.
Moakhat has dramatically shaped the Muslim community. Muslims leave no stone unturned in helping fellow Muslims in times of need, whether financially, emotionally, or socially. This concept has strengthened the Muslim community because they're bound not only by faith but also by shared responsibility toward one another.
The concept of Moakhat is a core principle of Islam. It was formally established by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) after the migration from Mecca to Medina. In historical context, it was referred to as 'Moakhat-e-Medinah.' It was a significant social and economic initiative that helped Muhajireen (migrants from Mecca) and Ansar (helpers in Medinah) build a strong and unified society.
The word 'Moakhat' comes from the Arabic root (أ-خ-و), which means brotherhood and unity. It is derived from the word 'aakah' (آخى), which is referred to as ‘making someone brother' or 'establishing brotherhood.' Thus, the literal meaning of Moakhat is to create a bond of brotherhood.
The prime example of this concept can be seen in the Age of Bliss of the Holy Prophet. Moakhat-e-Medinah was established to create a strong, united, and self-sufficient Muslim community of Muhajireen and Ansar. This Muslim community was based on mutual love, care, and responsibility.
This event helped and strengthened the Muslim community greatly in the early years. Muhajireen (Migrants) had left behind their families and wealth in Mecca. Prophet (ﷺ) paired them up with Ansar (helpers) so that they didn't feel left out or alone in Medina. This step made Muhajireen financially stable and laid the foundation for a proper Islamic state.
In 622 C.E., Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), along with many Muslim companions, migrated from Mecca to Medina. This migration was deemed necessary due to the continuous oppression of Muslims by the Quraysh in Mecca. When the Muslims of Mecca migrated to Medina, the people of Medina, the Ansar, welcomed them with great hospitality. The Meccan migrants couldn't bring any material wealth with them during migration. Along with that, they left their homes and were having a hard time adjusting to Medina. In this hardship, the people of Medina made sure that all the immigrants were taken care of during their stay.
However, the polytheists didn't let Muhajir and Ansar practice religion freely, even in Medina. They started threatening the Muslims of Medina so that the Muhajireen would return to Mecca. The strongest shield against the evil plan of polytheists was to practice brotherhood. The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) made a brotherhood pact, 'Moakhat,' between Muhajireen and Ansar. The event of Moakhat took place after five months of migration. A meeting was held and led by the beloved Prophet (ﷺ), who declared that every Muhajir was a brother of the Ansar. He paired one Muhajir with one Ansar so the Ansar would help their Muhajir brothers until they could stand on their own feet. Ansar went above and beyond in taking care of Muhajireen. They shared their homes, food, clothes, horses, wealth, possessions, and everything else.
Moakhat wasn't declared by choosing two completely random people. Instead, the pairings were keenly observed by the Prophet (ﷺ) during the six months in Medina. He made sure that each Muhajir-Ansar pair was compatible with each other. Almost 90 Muslims participated in the event of Moakhat. Among them, 45 were Ansar, and 45 were Muhajireen. Some of the famous pairings include Abu Bakar as a muhajir was paired with Kharijah bin Abi Zaid (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) as Ansar. Similarly, Muhajir Umar Farooq was paired up with Ansar Utban bin Malik. Abu Ubaida with Muaz (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ), Abdul Rehman bin Aauf with Saad bin Rabi, and Usman Ghani (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) with Sabit bin Al Manzur were paired up in the pact of Moakhat. Thus, every single Muhajir was declared a brother of Ansar.
Residents of Medina, also known as Ansar, left no stone unturned in showing the generosity and hospitality of fellow Muhajireen. Their selfless nature and sacrifices reflected their deep-rooted love for their Muslim fellows and commitment to Islam. Since Muhajireen migrated to Medina with little wealth and belongings, Ansar shared their homes, wealth, and even businesses. They willingly divided their wealth and land so that Muhajireen could easily set up their new life in Medina.
One of the most famous examples of generosity and selflessness of the Ansar is that of Sa'ad ibn Rabi. He was among the wealthiest Ansar who was paired up with Abdul Rehman ibn Awf. Upon welcoming Abdul Rehman home, Sa'ad Ibn Rabi (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) told him that he would divide his wealth in half and give it to him. Furthermore, he also said that he had two wives, and he could divorce one so that Abdul Rehman (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) could marry one later. He did this to ensure that his muhajir brother could settle down in Medina with ease. However, Abdul Rehman rejected his offer and started his own business from scratch.
Similarly, the Ansar had a habit of hosting the Muhajireen and never let them leave without eating food. There once came a time when there was a shortage of food in the homes of Ansar. In this tough time, a poor Ansari man instructed his wife to dim the lamp and pretended to eat so the Muhajir guest could eat properly. This act shows the selfless nature of Ansar.
In Surah Al-Hashr, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى), pleased with the sacrifices of Ansar, said,
"They give preference to others over themselves, even if they are in need" (59:9)
The Muhajireen who migrated from Mecca to Medina showed extreme resilience in the face of hardships. They were subjected to oppression and violence, yet their faith never wavered. Before migration, Quraysh tortured and even killed the new reverting Muslims. The situation in Mecca was so bad that the Prophet, along with his companions, had to face social and economic boycotts, forcing them to live in extreme poverty. This became the cause of the migration of Muhajireen. When they migrated, Quraysh unlawfully took over their wealth, land, and businesses in Mecca. Muhajireen arrived in Medina with no financial resources or wealth. They only had blind faith in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) that He would bless them. The emotional torment that Quraysh had given to Muhajireen can be understood by this saying of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ), "O Makkah! You are the most beloved land to me and had your people not forced me out, I would have never left."
Despite facing all these challenges, Muhajireen never gave up. They rebuilt their life in Medina with the help of the Ansar. They became successful traders and strengthened the economic system of Medina. Unlike most migrants who leave their hometown for better opportunities, Muhajireen did this migration only for the sake of Allah. Allah praises them in the Quran by saying, "As for those who have forsaken their homes for the sake of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) after enduring persecution, We shall certainly grant them a good abode in this world; and surely the reward of the Hereafter is much greater. If they could but know (what an excellent end awaits)" (Surah An-Nahl: 41).
Unity and brotherhood have been a strong foundational principle of Islam. An ummah can overcome any challenge if they stand united, but if they're divided based on ethnicity, religious sect, or social status, calamity will befall them. Allah in the Quran has commanded unity. He said, "And hold firmly to the rope of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) altogether and do not become divided." (3:103).
The Muslim community is like a single body; the pain of one Muslim should be felt by the whole community. This is what has been emphasized by the Prophet (ﷺ) and Allah. There is an unknown strength in unity and brotherhood. The Muhajireen were able to become successful over Quraysh because they fought alongside the Ansar. So, they flourished not only spiritually but also socially and economically.
Strengthening the bonds with fellow Muslims is the easiest thing in Islam. A small act, such as greeting someone, can initiate a bond. Supporting each other during tough times of sickness, poverty, and social problems is the cornerstone of strengthening the bonds. As Muslims, we must spread the right knowledge about Islam by giving sermons or arranging sermons. This can help in avoiding the spread of the sect system that has divided the Muslim ummah. Regarding this, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: "An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab. A white person has no superiority over a black person, nor does a black person have any superiority over a white person, except through piety."
One of the prime ways to foster brotherhood and unity in the modern world is to end the discrimination between rich and poor. In Islam, everyone is equal. This event of Moakhat is the proof of that. Only by correcting our actions can we build a stronger and more united Muslim ummah. By following the teachings of the Qur'an and Sunnah, we can triumph over the problems faced by the Muslim ummah today.
Brotherhood in Islam holds a special place because it unites Muslims irrespective of their color, nationality, race, or social status. Many Quranic verses and Hadith support this statement. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) says in the Quran, "Indeed, the believers are but brothers. So, make peace between your brothers and fear Allah that you may receive mercy." (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:10).
Unity in any faith is the only way to strengthen the Muslim Ummah. In Surah Al-Hujrat, Allah advises the Muslims, "O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female and made you peoples and tribes so that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) is the most righteous." (Surah Al-Hujurat 49:13). This can be seen by the hadith of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) in which he said,
"The rights of one Muslim over another are six:
The event of Moakhat is a testament that only unity can bring success to the Muslim community. There are huge rewards promised by Allah for any person who helps his fellow Muslim. It is an obligatory duty as a Muslim to support fellow Muslims in time of need. Brotherhood is not just an ideal principle of Islam. It is a command from Allah that any person should follow. This will help us rebuild a strong and independent Muslim ummah just like that of Muhajireen and Ansar.