may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the believers to migrate to Medina, the city of the Prophet. When some of the leading men of Medina from the Aws and Khazraj embraced faith, he concluded the pledge of al-Aqaba with them near Minā, and the believers gained a home where they enjoyed strength and protection. Believers from Mecca and elsewhere then began migrating to Medina. The early believers there fell into two groups:

The Muhājirūn, who migrated there from their homelands, and the Ansār, who were the people of Medina. Muslims among the Bedouins and others who did not migrate were subject to a different ruling. Others were prevented from migrating by their leaders, who shackled and imprisoned them. Still others remained living among disbelievers who held power over them. All these “categories” are mentioned in the Quran, and the rulings concerning them continue to apply to those in comparable circumstances until the Day of Resurrection.

Allah Most High says:

“Indeed, those who believed, emigrated, and strove with their wealth and their lives in the cause of Allah, and those who gave them shelter and support—they are allies of one another. But those who believed and did not emigrate—you have no obligation to protect them until they emigrate. Yet if they seek your help in matters of religion, you must help them, except against a people with whom you have a treaty. Allah sees all that you do. Those who disbelieve are allies of one another. Unless you do likewise, there will be persecution in the land and great corruption. Those who believed, emigrated, and strove in the cause of Allah, and those who gave them shelter and support—it is they who are truly believers. For them there is forgiveness and a generous provision.”

This concerns the earliest believers. He then mentioned those who follow them until the Day of Resurrection, saying:

“And those who believed afterwards