The Prophetic Constitution of Madinah by Dr Muhammad Al-Massari

The following came related in “At-Tabaqat Al-Kubra”, of Ibn Sa’d (2/12): Abdullah bin Muhammad bin ‘Umar bin ‘Ali related from his father:

“When the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) came to Al- Madinah, he established a pact of brotherhood between the Muhajirin, some of them with others from among them, and he also established a brotherhood (of pairs) between the Muhajirin and the Ansar. The establishment of brotherhood did not take place except prior to Badr. He (peace be upon him) established brotherhood between them upon the basis of the truth and providing assistance/support. Then he made a brotherhood pairing between himself and ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib”. Also, in “At-Tabaqat Al-Kubra”, of Ibn Sa’d (2/12): Abdullah bin Muhammad bin ‘Umar bin ‘Ali related from his father:

“That when the Prophet (peace be upon him) established a pact of brotherhood between his companions, he placed his hand upon the shoulder of ‘Ali and then said: “You are my brother, you inherit from me and I inherit from you”. Then when the Aayah related to inheritance was revealed that was cut off (i.e. the right of inheritance based on this brotherhood pairing).

Ibn Sa’d, in his “Tabaqat Al-Kubra” (2/12) also related from ‘Asim bin ‘Umar bin Qatadah who said:

“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) established a brotherhood (of pairs) between ‘Ali bin Abi Talib and Sahl bin Hanif”.

In “Ikhtisaar Al-Maghazi Wa s-Siyar” of Ibn Abdul Barr (p.20 Shamela Electronic Book Program) stated under the heading: “The formation of brotherhood by the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) between the Muhajirin and the Ansar”:

“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) established the brotherhood between the Muhajirin and the Ansar, after building the Masjid. It has been said that the brotherhood was established whilst the Masjid was being built, between the Muhajirin and the Ansar, upon the basis of providing assistance/support and upon the truth. According to that, they would inherit from each other and not based upon blood relation, until the following was revealed: “But those of [blood] relationship are more entitled [to inheritance] in the decree of Allah” (8:75). Abu Dawud At-Tayalisi related from Ibn ‘Abbas: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) made a brotherhood between his companions; the Muhajirin and the Ansar, and they inherited from each other, until: “But those of [blood] relationship are more entitled [to inheritance] in the decree of Allah” (8:75) was revealed.

Sa’eed bin Dawud stated: “We have conveyed and recorded from our Shuyukh (i.e. teachers) that he (peace be upon him): Established a brotherhood, on that day, between Abu Bakr As-Siddiq and Kharija bin Zaid bin Abu Zuhair, and between ‘Umar ibn ul-Khattab and ‘Uwaim bin Sa’idah”. He said: And it has been said that it was made between ‘Umar ibn ul-Khattab and Mu’adh bin ‘Afraa’. He said: And it has (also) been said: The brotherhood was established between ‘Umar and ‘Atban bin Malik, ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan and ‘Aws bin Thabit, ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib and Sahl bin Hanif, Zaid bin Haritha and Usaid bin Al- Hudair, Abu Marthad Al-Ghanwiy and ‘Ubadah bin Samit, Az-Zubair and Ka’b bin Malik, Talha and Ubayy bin Ka’b, Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas and Sa’d bin Mu’adh, Abdur Rahman bin ‘Auf and Sa’d bin Ar-Rabee’, Abdullah bin Jahsh and ‘Asim bin Thabit, Abu Hudhaifa bin ‘Utbah and ‘Abbad bin Bishr. ‘Utbah bin Ghazwan and Abu Dujana, Mus’ab bin ‘Umair and Abu Ayub, Ibn Mas’ud and Mu’adh bin Jabal, Abu Salamah bin Abdul Asad and Sa’d bin Khuthaimah, ‘Ammar and Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman, Abu ‘Ubaidah and Muhammad bin Maslama, Uthman bin Mazh’un and Abu Al-Haitham bin At-Taihan, and between Salman Al-Farisi and Abu Ad-Dardaa’. Al-Hafizh Abu ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, said: Sanid mentioned this and did not attribute through a line of transmission to anyone, merely saying that it was conveyed to him. What is authentic, according to the scholars of the biographies and reports, in respect to the establishment of brotherhood, which was undertaken by the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) between the Muhajirin and the Ansar, when he arrived in Al-Madinah, is that: He established brotherhood between Abu Bakr As-Siddiq and Kharija bin Zaid bin Abu Zuhair, ‘Umar ibn ul-Khattab and ‘Atban bin Malik, Uthman bin ‘Affan and Aws bin Thabit bin Al-Mundhir (the brother of Hassan bin Thabit) and that he established brotherhood between ‘Ali bin Abi Talib and himself (peace be upon him). He said to him: “You are my brother in the Dunya (life of this world) and the hereafter”. (Following the mention of the line of transmission) Ibn ‘Abbas related: “That the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to ‘Ali: “You are my brother and my companion”. (Following the mention of the line of transmission) Ibn ‘Abbas related: Ali use to say: “By Allah, I am the brother of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and his Wali”. (Following the mention of the line of transmission) ‘Abbad bin Abdullah said: I heard ‘Ali saying: “I am Abdullah (the slave of Allah) and the brother of His Messenger and none will say that after me except a great liar and fabricator”. (Following the mention of the line of transmission) Abu Suleiman Al-Jahaniy, meaning Zaid bin Wahb, said: I heard ‘Ali saying from the Minbar (pulpit): “I am Abdullah (the slave of Allah) and the brother of His Messenger. No one has said that before me and none will say it after me except for a great liar and fabricator”.

And he (peace be upon him) established brotherhood between Ja’far bin Abi Talib, whilst he was in the land of Al-Habashah (Abyssinia) and Mu’adh bin Jabal, Abdur Rahman bin ‘Awf and Sa’d bin Ar-Rabee’, Az-Zubair and Salamah Bin Sarimah bin Waqsh, Talha and Ka’b bin Malik, Abu ‘Ubaidah and Sa’d bin Mu’adh, Sa’d (i.e. bin Abi Waqqas) and Muhammad bin Maslamah, Sa’eed bin Zaid and Ubayy bin Kas’b, and between Mus’ab ibn ‘Umair and Abu Ayub, ‘Ammar and Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman, the ally of Bani Al-Ash’hal. It has also been said that he (peace be upon him) established brotherhood between ‘Ammar and Thabit bin Qais, Abu Hudhaifah bin ‘Utbah and ‘Abbad bin Bishr, Abu Dharr and Al-Mundir bin ‘Amr, Ibn Mas’ud and Sahl bin Hanif, Salman Al-Farisi and Abu Ad-Dardaa’, Bilal and Abu Ruwaihah Al-Khath’ami (an ally of the Ansar), Hatib bin Abi Balta’a and ‘Uwaim bin Sa’ida, Abdullah bin Jahsh and ‘Asim bin Thabit, Ubaidah bin Al-Harith and ‘Umair bin Al-Humam, At-Tufail bin Al-Harith (‘Ubaida’s brother) and Sufyan bin Bishr bin Zaid, from Bani Jashm bin Al-Harith bin Al-Khazraj, Al-Husain bin Al-Harith (their brother) and Abdullah bin Jubair, Uthman bin Mazh’un and Al- Abbas bin ‘Ubadah, ‘Utbah bin Ghazwan and Mu’adh bin Ma’is, Safwan bin Bayda’ and Rafi’ bin Al-Mua’lla, Al-Midad bin ‘Amr and Abdullah bin Rawahah, Dhu ash-Shimalain and Yazid bin Al-Harith, from Bani Haritha bin Tha’laba bin Ka’b bin Al-Khazraj, Abu Salamah bin Abdul Asad and Sa’eed bin Khaithama, ‘Umair bin Abi Waqqas and Khubaib bin ‘Adiy, Abdullah bin Mazh’un and Qutbah bin ‘Amir bin Hudaida, Shamas bin Uthman and Hanzhala bin Abi ‘Amir, Al-Arqam bin Abi Al-Arqam and Talha bin Zaid, from Bani Abdul Ash’hal, ‘Aqil bin Al-Bakir and Mubashir bin Abdul Mundhir, Abdullah bin Makhrama and Farwa bin ‘Amr Al-Bayadi, Khunais bin Hadhafah and Al-Mundhir bin Muhammad bin ‘Uqba bin Uhaiha bin Al-Jalah, Abu Subra bin Abi Ruhm and ‘Ubadah bin Al-Kashkash, Musattah bin Athatha and Zaid bin Al-Muzayyin, Abu -l-Murthad Al-Ghanawi and ‘Ubadah bin Samit, Bin ‘Akasha bin Muhasan and Al-Mujadhir bin Ziyad Al-Balwa, an ally of the Ansar, ‘Amir bin Fuhaira and Al-Harith bin As-Summah, Muhajji’ Mawla ‘Umar and Suraqah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Atiya, from Bani Ghanam bin Malik bin An-Najar.

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) had also established a brotherhood among the Muhajirin prior to the Hijrah, upon the basis of the truth in addition to the provision of assistance/support. He made a brotherhood between Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, Hamza and Zaid bin Haritha, Uthman and Abdur Rahman bin ‘Awf, Az-Zubair and Abdullah ibn ul-Mas’ud, ‘Ubaida bin Al-Harith and Bilal, Mus’ab bin ‘Umair and Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas, Abu ‘Ubaida and Salim the Mawla of Abu Hudhaifah, and between Sa’eed bin Zaid and Talha bin ‘Ubaidullah. Then when he arrived in Al-Madinah he established the brotherhood between the Muhajirin and the Ansar, upon what has previously been mentioned” [End of Quote].

The following was came mentioned in “‘Uyoon ul-Athar Fee Funoon il-Maghaziy Wa sh-Shama’il Wa s-Sair” of Ibn Sayed An-Nas (1/332): “The establishment of brotherhood occurred twice. The first was between the Muhajirin, among themselves, prior to Hijrah, upon the basis of the Haqq (truth) and provision of support/assistance. The Prophet (peace be upon him) established a brotherhood (of pairs) between them (in pairs). He established brotherhood between Abu Bakr and ‘Umar, Hamza and Zaid bin Harithah, Uthman and Abdur Rahman bin ‘Awf, Az-Zubair and Ibn Mas’ud, ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Harith and Bilal, Mus’ab bin ‘Umair and Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas, Abu ‘Ubaidah and Salim the Mawla of Abu Hudhaifa, Sa’eed bin Zaid and Talha bin Ubaidullah, and between ‘Ali and himself (peace be upon him). (After mentioning the full line of transmission) Abdullah ibn ‘Umar related: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) established a brotherhood pact among his companions. He made Abu Bakr and ‘Umar brothers and continued to do so between so and so person and so and so person until ‘Ali remained. He was a courageous man who persevered upon his matter if he wished for something. So, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Would you not be pleased for me to be your brother?” He replied: “Of course, O Messenger of Allah, I would be pleased”. He said: “Then you are my brother in the life of this world and the next”. Kathir said: I asked Jamee’ bin ‘Umair: “You bear witness to this as being said by Abdullah ibn ‘Umar?” He replied: “Yes, I bear witness. When he (peace be upon him) arrived in Al-Madinah he made a brotherhood between the Muhajirin and the Ansar, upon the basis of the provision of support/assistance and upon the truth, at the house of Anas bin Malik. They would inherit from each other in accordance to that, instead of blood relations, until the following was revealed at the time of the battle of Badr: “But those of [blood] relationship are more entitled [to inheritance] in the decree of Allah” (8:75) and so it (the inheriting) was abrogated. The “Mu’akhaah” (brotherhood pact in pairs) took place after his (peace be upon him) building of the Masjid. It has also been said that it happened during the building of the Masjid. Abu ‘Umar said that it occurred 5 months following his (peace be upon him) arrival in Al- Madinah. (After mentioning the full line of transmission) Anas bin Malik related: “The Muhajirun said: “O Messenger of Allah, we have not seen anything like the people to whom we have come to. They excelled in provision of support/assistance when they have little and they excelled in giving from when they have a lot. They have sufficed us with food and have provided us a share in the goodness (produce) to the point that we feared that they would take all of the reward from us”. He (peace be upon him) answered: “No, as long as you praise them (i.e. show gratitude) and make Du’a (supplication) for them””. Ibn ‘Umar said (regarding the Ansar): “You have shown us that no Muslim man has a greater right to his Dinar and Dirham (i.e. money), than his Muslim brother”. Muslim related it from Abu Kuraib whilst At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasaa’i related it via Hannad, both of whom related it from Abu Mu’awiyah.

Ibn Ishaq said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) established a brotherhood (of pairs) between his companions of the Muhajirin and the Ansar. He said: “Be brothers for the sake of Allah, in pairs, one pair after another”. He then took the hand of ‘Ali bin Abi Talib and said: “This is my brother”. As such, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and ‘Ali were brothers, Hamza and Zaid bin Haritha were brothers and on the day of Uhud Hamza bequeathed to him (i.e. inheritance based on that institutionalised brotherhood)” … [Comment: Sunaid bin Dawud mentioned that Zaid bin Haritha and Usaid bin Al-Hudair were brothers, which is fine, because they represented an Ansari (helper) and a Muhajiri (emigrant). As for the brotherhood established between Hamza and Zaid, then we have mentioned that in respect to the first instance]. (Returning to Ibn Ishaq): And Ja’far bin Abi Talib and Mu’adh bin Jabal were brothers [Comment: Al-Waqidiy denied this due to Ja’far being absent and in Abyssinia at the time. Sunaid viewed that the brotherhood was between Ibn Mas’ud and Mu’adh bin Jabal]. (Returning to Ibn Ishaq): Abu Bakr bin Abi Qahafah and Kharija bin Zaid bin Abi Zuhair were brothers, ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab and ‘Atban bin Malik were brothers, Abu ‘Ubaida bin Al-Jarrah and Sa’d bin Mu’adh were brothers, ‘Abdur Rahman bin ‘Awf and Sa’d bin Ar-Rabee’ were brothers, and Az- Zubair bin Al-‘Awwam and Salama bin Salaama bin Waqsh were brothers. It has also been said: Rather, Az-Zubair and Abdullah bin Mas’ud. [I say: This was in respect to the first pact of brotherhood established prior to the Hijrah]. Uthman bin Affan and Aws bin Thabit bin Al-Mundhir were brothers, Talha bin Ubaidullah and Ka’b bin Malik were brothers, Sa’eed bin Zaid and Ubayy bin Ka’b were brothers, Mus’ab bin ‘Umair and Abu Ayub Khaild bin Zaid were brothers, Abu Hudhaifa bin ‘Utbah and ‘Abbad bin Bishr were brothers, ‘Ammar bin Yasir and Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman were brothers. [Comment: It has also been said: Rather, Thabit bin Qais bin Ash-Shimas and Abu Dharr and Al-Mundhir bin ‘Amr were brothers, however, Al-Waqidi denied that due to Abu Dharr being absent from Al-Madinah, saying: He was not present at Badr, Uhud or Al-Khandaq (battle of the trench), but rather he arrived (in Al-Madinah) after that. He also had Tulaib bin ‘Umair and Al-Mundhir bin ‘Amr as brothers]. (Returning to Ibn Ishaq): And Hatib bin Ubayy Balta’a and ‘Uwaim bin Sa’ida were brothers, Salman Al-Farisi and Abu Ad- Dardaa’ were brothers, Bilal and Abu Ruwaiha Abdullah bin Abdur Rahman Al-Khath’ami were brothers. According to Sunaid bin Dawud, in relation to what Abu ‘Umar informed him, the brotherhood was between Abu Murthad and ‘Ubadah bin Samit, Sa’d and Sa’d bin Mu’adh, Abdullah bin Jahsh and ‘Asim bin Thabit bin Abi Al-Aflah, ‘Utnah bin Ghazwan and Abu Dujana, Abu Salamah bin Abdul Asad and Sa’d bin Khuthaimah, and between ‘Uthman bin Mazh’un and Abu l-Haitham bin At-Taihan. Others added: And between ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Harith and ‘Umair bin Al- Humam, At-Tufail bin Al-Harith (the brother of Ubaidah) and Sufyan bin Nisr bin Zaid from Bani Jashm bin Al-Harith bin Al-Khazraj, Al- Husain (their other brother) and Abdullah bin Jubair, Uthman bin Mazh’un and Al-‘Abbas bin ‘Ubadah bin Nadlah, Safwan bin Baydaa’ and Rafi’ bin Al-Mua’lla, Al-Miqdad and Ibn Rawahah, Dhu ash-Shimalain and Yazid bin Al-Harith from Bani Haritha, ‘Umair bin Abi Waqqas and Khubaib bin ‘Adiy, Abdullah bin Mazh’un and Qutbah bin ‘Amir bin Hudaida, Shimas bin Uthman and Hanzhala bin Abi ‘Amir, Al-Arqam bin Abi Al-Arqam and Talha bin Zaid, Zaid bin Al-Khattab and Ma’n bin ‘Adiy, ‘Amr bin Suraqah and Sa’d bin Zaid from Bani Abdul Ash’hal, ‘Aqil bin Al-Bakeer and Mubashar bin Abdul Mundhir, Abdullah bin Makhrama and Farwa bin ‘Amr Al-Bayadi, Khunais bin Hadhafah and Al-Mundhir bin Muhammad bin ‘Uqbah bin Uhaiha bin Al-Jalah, Subra bin Abi Ruhm and Ubadah bin Al-Khashkhash. Musattah bin Athatha and Zaid bin Al-Muzayen, ‘Akasha bin Muhassan and Al-Mujadhar bin Dhiyad who was an ally of the Ansar, ‘Amir bin Fuhaira and Al-Harith bin As-Summa, and between Muhajja’ the Mawla of ‘Umar and Suraqah bin ‘Amr bin ‘Atiyah from Bani Ghanam bin Malik bin An-Najjar. All of this addition is from Abu ‘Umar and it is said: They numbered one hundred; fifty from the Muhajirin and fifty from the Ansar. (Note: The name of Zaid bin Al- Muzayen as related by Abu ‘Umar was written as Al-Muzayen, whilst Ibn Mafuz said Al-Mizyan and Ibn Hisham said Al-Muzani). Ibn Ishaq said: When ‘Umar (ibn Al-Khattab) registered the accounts in Ash-Sham (Greater Syria) where Bilal had previously gone and settled as a Mujahid, ‘Umar said to Bilal: “To whom will you make your accounts (Diwan)?” He replied: “To Abu Ruwaiha, I will never separate from him, due to the brotherhood that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) convened between me and him”. And he incorporated the Diwan (accounts) of Al-Habasha (Abyssinia) to Khath’am due to Bilal’s position in respect to them and it still remains among Khath’am until this day in Ash-Sham. (After mentioning the full line of transmission) Abu ‘Umamah said: “When the Prophet (peace be upon him) made brothers between the people, he established a pact of brotherhood between himself and ‘Ali”. (After mentioning the full line of transmission) Anas bin Malik related: “Abdur Rahman bin ‘Awf migrated to Al-Madinah and then the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) made a pact of brotherhood between him and Sa’d bin Ar-Rabee’. Sa’d then said to him: “O Abdur Rahman, indeed I am from the wealthiest of the Ansar and I will divide my wealth between us. And I have two wives and so I will divorce one of them. Then when her waiting period comes to an end, you can marry her”. He replied: “May Allah bless you in your family (wives) and your wealth””. Al-Bukhari related it from Humaid from Anas in a longer version than this” [End of Quote].

The following came stated in “Tarikh Dimashq” by Ibn ‘Asakir (30/94): Abdullah bin Muhammad bin ‘Umar bin ‘Ali related from his father saying:

“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) made a pact of brotherhood in Makkah between Abu Bakr As-Siddiq and ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab. Then when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) arrived in Al-Madinah, he invalidated that brotherhood (i.e. amongst the companions) apart for the brotherhood pact between him and ‘Ali bin Abi Talib and the pact which was between Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib and Zaid bin Haritha”. He said: It was related from Jabir bin Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Haram Al-Ansari: “That when the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) made the brotherhood pact between the Muhajirin and the Ansar, he made a brotherhood between Abu Bakr As-Siddiq and Kharija bin Zaid bin Abi Zuhair Al-Khazraji” [End of Quote].

In “Al-Mufahhim lima Ashkala min Talkhees Kitaab Muslim” (21/38) it was stated:

Abu ‘Umar said: “The correct view as held by the scholars of Seera and reports in respect to the “Mu’akhaah” (brotherhood) which the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) concluded between the Muhajirin (emigrants) and the Ansar (helpers), when he came to Al- Madinah, was that it took place after his building of the Masjid and it was upon the basis of the provision of assistance/support and the Haqq (truth) …” He then proceeded with it details as have previously been mentioned and then said: “I said: And it came stated in book of Muslim as related by Anas: “That he concluded a brotherhood between Abu ‘Ubaida bin Al-Jarrah and between Abu Talha”. Abu ‘Umar said: He concluded a brotherhood between Abu ‘Ubaida and Sa’d bin Mu’adh. And the first is not in the book of Muslim …” [End of Quote].

I say: That is not necessarily the case. The speech of Abu ‘Umar could be based upon a number of reports which support one another whilst there is no rational or Shar’iy (legal) prevention (Mani’) for the Prophet (peace be upon him) to have concluded a brotherhood between Abu ‘Ubaidah and Sa’d bin Mu’adh and Abi Talha at the same time. A person can have a number of brothers byu blood at the same time and this could be the same. Or he (peace be upon him) could have concluded a brotherhood between Abu ‘Ubaida and Sa’d bin Mu’adh first and then concluded a brotherhood between him and Abu Talha when he became Muslim at a later time. In any case, the number of the Ansar was much greater than the Muhajirin at that time and they were competing among themselves to provide accommodation to the Muhajirin and take care of them. Consequently, would it be strange for a Muhajir to have multiple brothers from the Ansar?!