How many Muhajireen were there at the time of Mawakhat?

The correct answer is 45.

The event of Mawakhat (the Pact of Brotherhood) is one of the most significant social and economic milestones in the early history of the Islamic state in Madinah. Shortly after the Hijrah (migration) in 622 CE, the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W) recognized the immense struggle faced by the Muhajireen—those who had left behind their properties, wealth, and families in Makkah for the sake of their faith. To ensure their survival and integration into the new society, the Prophet (S.A.W.W) established a formal bond between 45 pairs of men, totaling 90 individuals (45 Muhajireen and 45 Ansar).

The Gathering at the House of Hazrat Anas (RA)

The formal declaration of Mawakhat took place at the house of the young companion, Hazrat Anas bin Malik (RA). It was here that the Prophet (S.A.W.W) gathered the initial group of migrants and the local residents of Madinah (the Ansar). He began pairing one Muhajir with one Ansari, declaring them "brothers in the faith." This was not a mere symbolic title; it was a legally and socially binding relationship that, in the early days, even included rights of inheritance, though this was later replaced by the general laws of inheritance revealed in the Quran.

Economic and Social Integration

The primary goal of Mawakhat was to resolve the immediate economic crisis. The 45 Muhajireen were largely merchants by profession, but they had arrived in Madinah with absolutely nothing. Conversely, the Ansar were largely farmers and landowners. By pairing them together, the Prophet (S.A.W.W) created a support system where the Ansar shared half of their homes, date groves, and assets with their new brothers.

A famous example of this bond was the pairing of Abdur Rahman bin Awf (RA), a Muhajir, and Sa'd bin al-Rabi (RA), an Ansari. Sa'd offered half of everything he owned to Abdur Rahman. In a display of the unique dignity of the Muhajireen, Abdur Rahman bin Awf declined the charity and instead asked, "Just show me the way to the marketplace," eventually becoming one of the wealthiest men in Madinah through trade.

The Spirit of the Ansar

The generosity of the Ansar during this period is immortalized in the Quran, specifically in Surah Al-Hashr, where Allah praises them for giving preference to the migrants over themselves, even though they were in poverty. The pact was so successful that it prevented the formation of a "refugee class" in Madinah. It created a unified community where tribalism was replaced by religious brotherhood, effectively dissolving the old tensions between the tribes of Aws and Khazraj and the newly arrived Quraysh.

Historical Significance

While the initial pact involved 45 Muhajireen, the spirit of Mawakhat continued as more Muslims migrated to Madinah. This event served as the foundation of the Mithaq-e-Madina (Charter of Madinah), the first written constitution in human history. It taught the early Muslim community that the strength of a nation lies in social equity and mutual support. The number 45 represents the core group that laid the seeds for what would eventually become a global civilization, proving that ideological bonds can be stronger than blood relations.