Islamiyat · Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 12 · Question 4

Describe the way the relationship between the Emigrants (Muhajirun) and Helpers (Ansar) developed in Madina.

Use the AO1 Levels of Response.

Candidates should include some of the following points. All other relevant points must be credited.

When the Muslims of Makka first arrived in Madina they had few belongings. The Muslims of Madina (mainly from the Aws and Khazraj tribes), who had invited the Prophet (pbuh) to their city, were happy to welcome the migrating Muslims.

To unite the two groups, the Prophet (pbuh) made them brothers, pairing each of the Ansar with one of the Muhajirun. This was to help each other materially and spiritually. The Ansar had already been eager to help their migrating brothers and sisters with accommodation and food.

The Prophet (pbuh) gathered the two groups and started calling out the name of one Ansar and one Muhajir. The Prophet (pbuh) took ‘Ali as his brother. Sa’d ibn ar-Rabi and Abdur Rahman ibn Awf were made brothers and Sa’d was willing to share half his property and divorce one of his wives for Abdur Rahman to marry. He refused, saying ‘direct me to the nearest market place so that I may make my fortune with my own hands.’

Other pairings included Ja’far ibn Abi Talib and Mu’adh ibn Jabal, Bilal ibn Rabah and Abu Rawahah, Talha ibn Ubaydullah and Ka’b ibn Malik. The Ansar wanted to share their date palms with the Muhajirun but the Muhajirun refused, so the Ansar offered them work in their orchards and in return they were given dates. In this way the Madinans gave protection and material assistance to their Makkan brothers and the Makkan came with their faith to share and spread in Madina.

Initially the Ansar and Muhajirun could inherit from one another but later that was abrogated to say that inheritance was mainly to be given to families (sura 33.6).

The virtue of these two groups has been mentioned in the Qur’an, e.g. ‘Those who believed and emigrated and carried out jihad in the way of Allah with their wealth and lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah, and it is they who are the successful.’ (sura 9.20).

To what extent can relationships such as those between the Ansar and Muhajarun be developed by Muslims today?

Use the AO2 Levels of Response.

Candidates can give other examples and all relevant answers should be credited.

It could be said that this kind of relationship can be nurtured in communities because it is easy to be able to share things with those in need. Even when you do not know someone personally, you can contact organisations that may work with those who need support and offer your money/belongings to them. It is also possible to share with neighbours and friends in the community, whether it is food or items you know others may need. Another way to develop this relationship would be to help educate others in the community, either by tutoring children or setting up religious studies classes. However, it may not always be possible to nurture this kind of relationship because not everyone knows the people they live near to, and they may live in areas where they do not see people in need or know if there are people in need.

Poor relations between countries, political or technological factors may make it much more difficult for modern Muslims to practice this sort of relationship building. Other factors such as immigration policies or local/international regulations may prevent people from being able to help others in the way the early Muslim community helped each other.