Examine the activities of Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) in the first two years of his stay in Yathrib.

Answer Details

After the Hijrah in 622 C.E., Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) settled in Yathrib, later called Madinah. His activities in the first two years there laid the foundation of the Islamic state.

1. Building of the Mosque (Masjid an-Nabawi): On arrival, he first built a mosque at the spot where his camel knelt. It served as a place of worship, a school, a court and the centre of the community's affairs.
2. Establishment of brotherhood (Mu'akhah): He joined the Muhajirun (emigrants from Makkah) and the Ansar (helpers of Madinah) in bonds of brotherhood, so that each Ansari shared his wealth and home with an emigrant. This solved the problem of the destitute emigrants and united the community.
3. The Constitution of Madinah: He drew up a written charter regulating the relations between the Muslims, the Jews and other tribes of Madinah, guaranteeing mutual defence, freedom of religion and justice, and recognising him as the leader.
4. Treaties with the Jews: He entered into agreements of peaceful coexistence with the Jewish tribes to secure the city.
5. Organisation of worship: The call to prayer (Adhan) was instituted, the five daily prayers were firmly established, the fast of Ramadan and the payment of Zakah were ordained, and the Qiblah was later changed from Jerusalem to the Ka'bah.
6. Defence of the community: He organised the first expeditions and permission for defensive fighting was granted, culminating in the Battle of Badr in the second year, a decisive victory for the Muslims.

These activities transformed the scattered believers into a united, organised and self-governing Muslim society.