The Holy Prophet (sa) Arrives in Medina
Regarding the Holy Prophet (sa) entering Medina, Hazrat Anasra bin Malik has narrated an account in Sahih al-Bukhari as follows:
“The Messenger (sa) of Allah came to Medina and stayed in the upper part of Medina for 14 nights with a tribe called Banu Amr bin Auf. He then sent for the chiefs of Banu al-Najjar, who came armed with their swords. I remember this incident as if I can see the Holy Prophet (sa) riding his camel before my very eyes and Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was riding behind him and the chiefs of Banu al-Najjar were around him till he dismounted in the courtyard of Abu Ayyub.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Salah, Bab hal Tunbashu Qubur Mushriki al-Jahiliyyah, Hadith 428)
Talking about this incident, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib (ra) writes:
“After a stay of more than 10 days in Quba, on Friday, the Holy Prophet (sa) set out for the heart of the city. A large party from among the Ansar and Muhajirin accompanied the Holy Prophet (sa). The Holy Prophet (sa) was riding a camel, and Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was behind him. Slowly but surely, this caravan began to advance towards the city. The time for Friday prayers arrived en route. The Holy Prophet (sa) stopped in the neighbourhood of the Banu Salim bin Auf. He delivered a sermon to his Companions, and led the Friday Prayer. Historians write that, although the Friday Prayer had already begun, this was the first Friday prayer which the Holy Prophet (sa) led himself and thereafter the formal practise of the Friday Prayer began.” From this narration it also suggests that the mosque was built later.
“After completing the Friday Prayers, the caravan of the Holy Prophet (sa) continued to slowly proceed further. When the Holy Prophet (sa) would pass by the homes of Muslims, in the fervour of their love they would move forward and say, ‘O Messenger (sa) of Allah! This is our home. Our wealth and lives are at your behest. We also possess means of protection. Please stay with us.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) would supplicate for their prosperity and slowly moved towards the city. In the fervour of their happiness, the Muslim ladies and girls climbed the roofs of their homes and began singing:
طَلَعَ الْبَدَرُ عَلَيْنَا مِنْ ثَنِيَّاتِ الْوَدَاعِ وَجَبَ الشُّكْرُ عَلَيْنَا مَا دَعَى لِلہ دَاعِ
“‘Today, the full moon has risen upon us from the valleys of Mount Wada‘; For this reason, gratitude to Allah has become forever obligatory upon us.’
“The Muslim children ran about in the streets and alleys of Medina singing, ‘Muhammad (sa) has arrived. The Messenger (sa) of Allah has arrived.’ To express their happiness upon the arrival of the Holy Prophet (sa), the Abyssinian slaves of Medina would move about demonstrating their feats of swordsmanship.
“When the Holy Prophet (sa) entered the city, every individual desired that the Holy Prophet (sa) stay with them. Each and every person would advance to offer their services. The Holy Prophet (sa) would respond lovingly to everyone, and move forward until his she-camel reached the neighbourhood of the Banu Najjar. At this place, the people of Banu Najjar stood in rows, decorated with arms to welcome the Holy Prophet (sa). The girls of this tribe were reciting the following couplet whilst beating their drums:
نَحْنُ جَوَارٍ مِنْ بَنِيْ نَجَّارِ يَا حَبَّذَا مُحَمَّدٌ مِنْ جَارِ
“‘We are girls of the Banu Najjar; How fortunate are we that Muhammad (sa), the Messenger of Allah, has come to stay in our neighbourhood.’”
(Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra), p. 266-267)