Prophet in Medina and his First Address
📖Jami at-Tirmidhi 2485
‘Abdullah bin Salam said: “When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) arrived, meaning in Al-Madinah — the people came out to meet him. It was said that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had arrived, so I went among the people to get a look at him. When I gazed upon the face of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), I knew that this face was not the face of a liar. The first thing that he spoke about was that he said: ‘O you people! Spread the Salam, feed (others), and perform Salat while the people are sleeping; you will enter Paradise with (the greeting of) Salam.’” (Sahih)
This hadith beautifully captures the first public message of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ upon his arrival in Madinah — a city that would become the heart of the Muslim Ummah. The reaction of Abdullah bin Salam, a respected Jewish scholar who embraced Islam upon seeing the Prophet’s illuminated and honest face, highlights the natural truthfulness and divine character reflected in the Prophet ﷺ. His first address was not about politics or power but about peace, compassion, and devotion: Spread peace (Salam), feed the hungry, and pray at night. These three simple actions, if practiced sincerely, guarantee Paradise and reflect the very core of Islam, peace, generosity, and connection with Allah.
Quranic Context:
📖Quran 24:61
So when you enter houses, greet one another with a greeting of peace from Allah, blessed and good.
📖Quran 76:8-9
And they give food — in spite of love for it — to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, [saying], “We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.”
📖Quran 32:16-17
Their sides forsake their beds, calling upon their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend from what We have provided them. No soul knows what delights of the eye are kept hidden for them — as a reward for what they used to do.
These verses directly support the Prophet’s call: spreading peace aligns with the etiquettes of Islamic greeting, feeding others reflects sincere charity, and praying at night connects one intimately with Allah, elevating their soul.
What We Learn Today:
This hadith is a timeless guide for individual and societal transformation. In a world often filled with hostility, indifference, and spiritual emptiness, the Prophet ﷺ offers three acts that can revive hearts and communities:
- Spread Salam: Be a source of peace — not conflict.
- Feed Others: Give generously, especially to the forgotten.
- Pray at Night: Connect with your Creator when the world sleeps.
These are not just spiritual rituals; they are pathways to healing the self and society — and they remain just as relevant today as they were in 7th-century Madinah.