THE STORY OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD - The Medina Population Composition at the Arrival of Rasulullah

Hijrah (Migrate) does not mean simply breaking away from the cruelty of slander and ridicule of the infidels, but also an effort to build a new life in a safe and peaceful place / country. So this is an obligation for every Muslim who is able to take part in building a society that behaves noble, strong, and prosperous. Then also try to maintain integrity and dignity and always excel.

So there is no doubt that Prophet Muhammad was a leader who brought his people in a good direction. He controls the lives of the people with sincerity and confidence.

When Prophet Muhammad came, the Medina (Madinah) Society consisted of three groups.

Muslims who comprise the Muhajirin group (Muslims who emigrated from Mecca) and Ansar (Native Medina Muslims).

Even though they have converted to Islam, the duty of Rasulullah was not only there. He also has to organize their lives into a quality and mentally strong Muslim who has an understanding of them religion and is able to apply it to social life.

Surah Al Jumu'ah verse 2:

هُوَ ٱلَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي ٱلۡأُمِّيِّ‍ۧنَ رَسُولٗا مِّنۡهُمۡ يَتۡلُواْ عَلَيۡهِمۡ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ وَيُزَكِّيهِمۡ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ ٱلۡكِتَٰبَ وَٱلۡحِكۡمَةَ وَإِن كَانُواْ مِن قَبۡلُ لَفِي ضَلَٰلٖ مُّبِينٖ  ٢

2.  It is He who has sent among the unlettered a Messenger from themselves reciting to them His verses and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom - although they were before in clear error -

The main problem facing the Muhajirin in Medina is a new atmosphere that is very different from the atmosphere in the city of Mecca. While still in Mecca, they are in an integrated community, heading to one goal together. When they converted to Islam, they were always oppressed by the infidels of Quraish, always being hunted and humiliated, they were helpless in the face of their opponents. Their opponents are the people who have power over them, so the Meccan Muslims do not get the opportunity to build a new society based on Islamic teachings. The Qur'anic verses which descended on Mecca emphasized more on the basic principles in Islam and the rules that were able to be carried out individually, including the command to do good and virtuous character, and to avoid all despicable qualities.

Whereas in Medina, Muhajirin and Ansar were able to jointly develop Islamic civilization, in the sectors of ideology and Islamic beliefs, politics and government, economics, social and culture, and defense and security. This is the beginning of Islam's rapid growth.

Another problem faced was the social gap between the Ansar who have property and the Muhajirin who were poor and did not possess property.

Then Musyrikin (Polytheists). Some of them have doubts about their polytheism beliefs and do not hold grudges or hate Islam, so that many of them want to convert to Islam. But there are also those who remain hostile to Islam and continue to do polytheism, but do not dare to fight openly because the strength of the Muslims was getting bigger. And they also do not have power over the Muslims.

So what they did was pretend to convert to Islam, while still hiding disbelief and hatred towards Islam. They were forced to display an attitude of affection and sincerity to the Muslims. They are munafiq (hypocrite) people, with their figure, Abdullah ibn Ubay.

Abdullah ibn Ubay was a figure that approved by Aus and Khazraj to be appointed as their leader after the war (Buath war). The two tribes did not think of choosing another figure appointed as a leader other than Abdullah ibn Ubay. He had not had the chance to be appointed as leader, Rasulullah had arrived in Medina. The whole community has shifted their eyes to Rasulullah. That was what caused Abdullah ibn Ubay to feel that it was as if Rasulullah had seized his power. Then he pretended to convert to Islam. Every chance, he always tried to harm Rasulullah and the Muslims with his tricks. His followers also helped Abdullah ibn Ubay's evil efforts.

Then Jews. They are people who are of Jewish origin who have mingled with the Arab community of Medina, but still maintain the various rules and traditions of their nation, and what is certain is their belief. It is they who have mastered the economy of the Medina community and are known as people who have various skills.They moved to the Hijaz region in the days of Assyrian and Roman oppression. Even though they were dressed in Arabic, using names such as Arabic names, even married to Arabs, they still boasted of their nationality. They also demeaned the Arabs by giving a humiliating designation. They feel they have the right to disrupt the economy of the Arabs (especially at Yathrib) as they please.

The arrival of Islam in the city of Medina was responded to by them with hatred and envy. Rasulullah is a Prophet who is not a countryman with them. In addition, Islamic teachings seek to unite the disputing parties. Islam invites humanity to have an attitude of compassion, eliminate hostility, always maintain a good mandate, and eat halal and good food. This means that all the tribes in Medina will unite and escape Jewish rule.

At that time, in Medina there were three famous Jewish tribes, namely Banu Qainuqa' who allied themselves with the Khazraj tribe and lived in the middle of Medina, Banu Nadhir, and Banu Quraizhah. The last two tribes were allies of the Aus tribe and lived outside Medina (Madinah).

All these people have different characteristics that must be faced with the right and careful attitude in order to build a new society that is strong.

Reference:

·         Mubarakfuri, Syekh Shafiyyur-Rahman, and Haidir, Abdullah (Translator). 2005. Sejarah Hidup dan Perjuangan Rasulullah. Riyadh: Kantor Dakwah dan Bimbingan bagi Pendatang Al-Sulay.

·         Al-Mubarakfuriyy, Syeikh Safy Al-Rahman. Seerah Nabawiyyah, Al-Raheeq Al-Makhtum.