Q. & A. 711 to 1707 with solved Papers css 1971 to date

ESTABLISHMENT OF A NEW CENTER FOR ISLAMIC DAWA
Planning was a distinguished feature of the Prophet’s (PBUH) revolutionary struggle. After trying and watching the people of Makkah for 13 years in the matter of Islamic call, the Prophet (PBUH) discovered that they were unsuitable as pioneers of the movement. Further testing could have resulted in wastage of time and energy. In case the efforts failed, there was every possibility of the movements culmination in disappointment and disintegration. Considering the callous and diehard temperament of the Makkhans, the Prophet (PBUH) decided to shift the center of Islamic call. It is evident that a revolutionary leader has to bring about his revolution among human beings. If any town or city proves unfavourable for his mission, or takes more time than the stipulated one, then a realistic
\hmad Gahvash. The Religion of Islam P 45

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Political and Cultural Histmy of Mam

revolutionary leader is left with no choice but to shift the center of his mission.2
The people of Medina manifested great enthusiasm in accepting the call of Islam. In a short period of four years, overwhelming majority of the citizens of Medina had embraced Islam converting it into a city of Islam. In this context, Prophet’s emissary Hazrat Masaab bin Ameer played a significant role as he was the most successful preacher of Islam in its early days. Ultimately, a large delegation from Medina visited the Holy Prophet and had discussion with him. As a result, the Holy Prophet decided to migrate to Medina and ordered his followers accordingly. The oppressed Muslims at Makkah started migrating to Medina individually as well as in small groups. The first migrant to Medina was Abu Salma, who had earlier migrated to Ethiopia and returned from there. Nearly half of the Holy Prophet’s companions had migrated to Medina before his arrival. They had moved with their families leaving Makkah for good. The family of Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) mother also belonged to Medina. Before the migration, the Holy Prophet held detailed discussions with the delegation from Medina who had invited him and his followers to settle down at Medina. The people of Medina were well aware of the consequences of their offer. They knew that Arab opposition and attacks on Medina were unavoidable as a result of their support to the Holy Prophet (PBUH). They had taken into account all risks involved, but remained steadfast in their faith and loyal to the Holy Prophet (PBUH). They accepted the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as their leader, guide and ruler and offered to sacrifice their lives for him. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) promised to live and die among them and never to desert them. At the old centet, Muslims were tortured and threatened while at the new centre of Islam, Medina, they were offered shelter and peace. These assurances and guarantees were enough for the Islamic movement to shift its center from Makkah to Medina and to face the consequences in a new and changed environment.’
The shifting of the center of Islamic movement to Medina was the first step towards the success of the call of Islam. The journe\ continued towards its destination surmounting all hindrances •a the \\ay. N..giation from one’s birth-place to an unknown place in the patf* of Allah, leaving behind homes and hearths, is the tradition
The Prophet (PBUH) at Medina
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of Hazrat Ibrahim as well as Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). In short, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) changed the fate of Muslims as well as mankind by shifting the center of Islamic movement. The movement was given a free and independent center in which all issues were settled through mutual consultations. The Holy Prophet no more liked Bait-ul-Muqdass (Jerusalem) as the Qibla of Muslims, as it was also the Qibla of Jews and Christians. It tarnished the aspects of uniqueness and individuality of the Islamic movement.