Wed 1447/09/15AH (04-03-2026AD)
The migration (Hijrah) from Makkah to Madinah in 1 AH was not just a physical journey – it was the beginning of a new Islamic society. In Madinah, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) established a community based on faith, brotherhood, equality, and social justice. The Muslims were divided into two main groups: the Muhajirun (emigrants from Makkah) and the Ansar (helpers of Madinah). The way these two groups were united is one of the most powerful examples of community building in history and is frequently tested in Paper 1 of IGCSE Islamiyat 0493.
The Muhajirun were the Muslims who left Makkah and migrated to Madinah for the sake of Islam.
This was an act of extreme sacrifice.
They:
They did not migrate for comfort – they migrated to save their faith.
Many arrived in Madinah:
This shows:
Iman over material comfort.
The Muhajirun are important because they:
Without their sacrifice, Islam could not have survived.
Memorisation bullets:
The Ansar were the people of Madinah who welcomed the Prophet and the Muhajirun.
Before Islam, they were divided into two tribes:
Islam united them.
When the Prophet arrived, the Ansar:
They did this without expecting anything in return.
This is one of the most beautiful examples of selflessness in Islamic history.
The Ansar are important because they:
They are praised in the Qur’an for their sacrifice.
Memorisation bullets:
One of the first actions of the Prophet (pbuh) in Madinah was to establish brotherhood between the Muhajirun and the Ansar.
He paired individuals from each group as brothers.
This meant:
This system:
It was not symbolic – it was practical and economic.
This is heavily tested.
The brotherhood system shows:
It turned strangers into family.
Memorisation bullets:
The Prophet built the Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah.
It was not just a place of prayer. It was:
This shows Islam’s holistic approach to life.
The mosque was the heart of the community.
The Prophet introduced the Constitution of Madinah, which:
It made the Prophet the head of state and judge.
This is extremely examinable.
It shows:
Memorisation bullets:
The Prophet ensured:
The Ansar helped the Muhajirun:
This created:
A welfare-based society.
Before Islam, Madinah was divided by tribal hatred.
Islam replaced:
With:
This is a key transformation and often tested.
This topic is tested because it shows:
Examiners love answers that show:
How Islam built a functioning society, not just beliefs.
From the Ansar and Muhajirun, Muslims learn:
This is powerful for 4-mark answers.
Ansar, Muhajirun and brotherhood are frequently tested in Paper 1, especially:
(a) Describe the role of the Ansar and Muhajirun in the early Islamic community and explain how the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) united them. [10]
(b) What lessons can Muslims today learn from the brotherhood established in Madinah? [4]
(a)
The Muhajirun were the Muslims who migrated from Makkah to Madinah in 1 AH, leaving behind their homes, wealth and families for the sake of Islam. The Ansar were the people of Madinah who welcomed them, shared their homes, food and wealth, and treated them as family. To unite the two groups, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) established brotherhood between individual Muhajirun and Ansar, allowing them to support each other. He also built the mosque as the centre of the community and introduced the Constitution of Madinah, which created unity, justice and cooperation among all citizens. This system removed tribal divisions and built a strong Muslim community.
(b)
This brotherhood teaches Muslims the importance of generosity, unity and caring for others. It shows that believers should support one another, help those in need and put faith above tribal or racial differences. Muslims today can learn to welcome others, share resources and build strong communities.