Hosting the Holy Prophet (sa) (Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad sahib's (ra) Narration)
When the Holy Prophet (sa) migrated to Medina, he stayed with Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari (ra) until the construction of Masjid-e-Nabawi and his house.
(Ali Ibn al-Athir, Usd al-Ghabah fi Ma‘rifat al-Sahabah, Vol. 6, Hazrat Abu Ayub al-Ansari [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 2003], 23)
In Sirat Khatam-un-Nabiyyin [The Life and Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa)], Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib (ra) has mentioned the following in relation to the Holy Prophet’s stay in the house of Hazrat Abu Ayub Ansari (ra):
“When the Holy Prophet(sa) reached the Banu Najjar, the question once again posed itself as to which person the Holy Prophet(sa) would stay with. Every individual of the tribe was desirous that he be the one to receive this honour. As a matter of fact, in the fervour of their love, some would even take hold of the reins of the camel belonging to the Holy Prophet (sa). Upon seeing this, the Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘Leave my camel, for at this time, it has been divinely inspired.’
“In other words, wherever Allah so desired it would sit down itself; and upon saying this, the Holy Prophet (sa) also released its reins. The camel gracefully advanced and sat down when it reached the place where, later, the Masjid-e-Nabawi, and the living quarters of the Holy Prophet (sa), were built. At the time, this was an uncultivated plot of land, which was the property of two children from Medina. Immediately, however, it stood up and began to move forward; but after a few steps, it once again returned to its initial place of resting, and sat down. The Holy Prophet (sa) stated:
ھٰذَا اِنْ شَاءَ اللّٰہُ الْمَنْزِلُ
“‘It seems as if the Will of Allah desires that this be our place of residence.’
“After this, the Holy Prophet (sa) supplicated to Allah and dismounted from his camel. Then the Holy Prophet (sa) enquired as to whose home was closest from that place. Abu Ayub Ansari (ra) rushed forward and said, ‘O Messenger (sa) of Allah! It is mine, and this is the entrance to my home. You are most welcome.’
“The Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘Alright, then go and prepare a place for me to stay.’
“Abu Ayub Ansari (ra) immediately prepared his home and returned. The Holy Prophet (sa) proceeded inside along with him. This was a two-story home. Abu Ayub (ra) desired that the Holy Prophet (sa) stay on the top floor. However, taking into consideration the ease of those people who would come to visit, the Holy Prophet (sa) preferred the ground-floor and resided there.
“At nightfall, Abu Ayub (ra) and his wife could not sleep all night in the thought that the Holy Prophet (sa) was beneath them, and they were above him. In addition to this, it so happened that during the night a pale of water broke on the roof. In his fear, Abu Ayub (ra) quickly placed his quilt over the water to dry it, in order to prevent even a single droplet of water from seeping through to the ground floor.
“In the morning, he presented himself before the Holy Prophet (sa), and implored the Holy Prophet (sa) to stay on the top floor. At first, the Holy Prophet (sa) hesitated, but upon witnessing the insistence of Abu Ayub (ra), he agreed. The Holy Prophet (sa) stayed in this home for seven months, or according to Ibn Ishaq, he remained here until the month of Safar 2 AH. In other words, the Holy Prophet (sa) remained here until the construction of Masjid-e-Nabawi, and the adjacent living-quarters of the Holy Prophet (sa). Abu Ayub (ra) would present food to the Holy Prophet (sa), and then, whatever would remain of it, he would eat himself. Due to his love and sincerity, he would eat from where the Holy Prophet (sa) had taken his food. Other Companions would also present food to the Holy Prophet (sa).”
(Life & Character of the Seal of the Prophets, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra), pp. 267, 268)