Just as the inception of prophethood commenced with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) being shown pious and true dreams, similarly the inception of the hijrah (migration) commenced with pious and true dreams.

At the beginning, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was shown the place of his migration in dreams, but was not told the name of the place. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was merely shown that the place of his migration was a place with abundant date palms. It is for this reason that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had thought that the place of his hijrah will perhaps be Yamaamah or Hajar.

While Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was still reflecting over this, Allah Ta‘ala revealed wahi specifying Madinah Munawwarah as the chosen place of migration. Hence, on the command of Allah Ta‘ala, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) instructed his Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to perform hijrah to Madinah Munawwarah.

After pledging allegiance at the blessed hand of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), the caravan of the Ansaar departed from Makkah Mukarramah. On arriving in Madinah Munawwarah, they openly proclaimed their conversion to Islam.

At that time, most of the tribes of Madinah Munawwarah had already embraced Islam, although there were still a few elderly people who were obstinately clinging onto their ancient ways of idolatry with strong determination. Among them was Amr bin Jamooh, the leader of the Banu Salimah tribe. His son, Hazrat Mu’aaz bin Amr bin Jamooh (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), had just returned from Makkah Mukarramah after pledging his allegiance at the blessed hand of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).

Bay’at is an Arabic word derived from “bay’a” which means “to sell”. In the terminology of the Shari’ah, bay’at refers to happily and enthusiastically selling one’s life and wealth in the hand of Allah Ta‘ala in exchange of Jannah.

When the Ansaar began to take the pledge (bay’at) at the hands of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), then Hazrat Abdullah bin Rawaahah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) enquired, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! You may stipulate in this pledge any condition that you want us to agree to (and you are at liberty to take whatever assurances you want from us), but tell me, what will we attain in exchange of this pledge that we give you?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “You will attain Jannah.”

Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) mentions, “An elderly man from the Ansaar informed me that at the time when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was selecting the Nuqabaa (leaders), Hazrat Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam) showed him each person who was to be selected by indicating towards him.”

Imaam Zuhri (rahimahullah) says that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) addressed the Ansaar saying, “I am going to appoint twelve leaders from among you. None of you should feel offended if he is not chosen as a Naqeeb, because I am obliged to do as I am instructed.” Hazrat Jibreel (‘alaihis salaam), who was seated next to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), would gesture towards the proposed Naqeeb, and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would accordingly appoint him.