"From the valley of Wada^ the full moon has risen...

والصَّلَاةُ والسَّلاَمُ عَلَى سَيّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ أَشْرَفِ اْلمُرْسَلِيْنَ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ الطَّيّبِيْنَ الطَّاهِرِيْن

After the Messenger of Allah ﷺ concluded his stay at ‘Ummu Ma^bad's tent, he continued his journey towards Medina. The Muhajirun (Emigrants) and the ‘Ansar (Helpers) received news that the Prophet ﷺ had emigrated from Mecca, heading towards Medina.

They eagerly awaited his arrival at Quba’, gathering there every early morning. When the sun's heat intensified, they would return home. On the day of his arrival, they followed their usual routine, going to Quba’ early in the morning. As the sun became unbearable, they began to return home. Suddenly, a Jewish man shouted atop a high building: "O sons of Qaylah, your companion has arrived!" They all rushed out to welcome the Prophet ﷺ.

The Prophet ﷺ entered Quba’on a Monday, the twelfth night of Rabi^ al-‘Awwal. The Muslims came to greet him as he sat under a palm tree with ‘Abu Bakr beside him. Most of them had never seen the Prophet ﷺ until the shadow moved away from him, exposing him to the sun's heat. ‘Abu Bakr then stood and shaded him with his cloak. This is how they recognised that he was indeed the noble Prophet ﷺ. The women and children approached, joyfully praising:

طَلَعَ البَدْرُ عَلَيـْنَا مِنْ ثَنيَّات الوَدَاعْ                  وَجَـبَ الشُّكْـرُ عَلَيْنَا مَا دَعا لله دَاعْ

This means: "From the valley of Wada^ the full moon has risen over us. As long as Allah is invoked, gratitude is incumbent upon us."

According to some scholars, the Prophet ﷺ stayed in Quba’ for several days, including Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. During this time, the first mosque in Islam—a mosque built upon piety—was founded. On Friday, the Prophet ﷺ left Quba’, riding his mount, with people walking around it. On the way, as they reached Bani Salim ibnu ^Auf, the time for the Friday prayer came in, and the Prophet ﷺ prayed there in the mosque. Some scholars said that the number of people who prayed with the Prophet ﷺ was 100. This mosque was subsequently named "Masjidu l-Jumu^ah" (the Mosque of Friday).

After that, Prophet ﷺ continued his journey towards Yathrib – the ancient name of Medina -, riding his she-camel. Before departing, the Prophet ﷺ ensured that ^Aliyy stayed behind in Mecca to return the trusts to their non-Muslim owners. Indeed, these trusts belonged to the polytheists of Mecca. Despite their hostility and persecution towards the Prophet ﷺ and his companions, they still recognised his integrity and entrusted their valuables to him because he was known among them as the truthful and trustworthy one.

Although these polytheists harmed the Prophet ﷺ and his companions, leading to their migration and the loss of their homeland, the Prophet ﷺ did not consider seizing their belongings. Instead, he demonstrated utmost integrity by instructing ^Aliyy to return their trusts. This action teaches us a profound lesson in adhering to honesty and trustworthiness, irrespective of the circumstances. After three nights, once he had completed this task, our master ^Aliyy joined the Prophet ﷺ.

Next: Abu ‘Ayyub Al-‘Ansariyy to lead the she-camel to his house