Chapter 17: Pledge
It was the time of the year when all the tribes of Arabia came to Makkah. It was the time of Hajj.
Mohammed (SAW) used this time, to go to the leaders of these tribes and to tell them about Islam.
He came across a group from Medina who already heard from the Jews in their city that a prophet is meant to come soon.
This group of 12 men from two tribes of Medina called the Aws and Khazraj made a pledge to accept Islam.
Prophet (SAW) sent Musab ibn Umayr, a noble Sahaba to Medina, to teach them Islam.
Within one year in Medina, Musab managed to bring most of the two tribes into Islam.
They returned with 73 men and 2 women to a place just outside Makkah to meet Mohammed (SAW).
Here they made a promise, a pledge, to defend Mohammed (SAW) and the muslim community, no matter what. Even if it means to give up their life for Islam.
These men and women from Medina are called the Ansars, the helpers, of Islam.
Allah blessed them with the greatest gift. The gift of Islam and the honour to keep Mohammed (SAW) in their city.
Soon after the pledge, the muslims of Makkah started to leave for Medina to protect their faith. This journey to Medina, the home of Islam is called the Hijra.
The Islamic calendar starts from this moment in time. The time when Islam found a home.