Welfare Strategies for New Muslims in the Prophetic Society and Their Contemporary Applications

نبوی معاشرے میں نو مسلموں کی تعلیم وتربیت اور اس کی عصری تطبیق

Abstract

Islam is a religion of peace, harmony, and brotherhood, with a strong emphasis on the welfare and betterment of humanity. During the Prophetic era, alongside the established Muslim community, special care was given to the rights, needs, and well-being of newly converted Muslims. They were supported not only through moral and spiritual guidance but also through financial assistance and social integration. Foundational agreements and initiatives such as the Charter of Madinah (Mīthāq al-Madīnah), the Brotherhood (Mu’ākhāt), the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, and Hilf al-Fuḍūl, as well as the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) sermons and actions, serve as key models for inclusive welfare and community building. This study critically examines the systematic measures employed by the Prophet (PBUH) to ensure the social, financial, and spiritual upliftment of new Muslims in Madinah. Strategies such as educational instruction, emotional and psychological support, economic assistance through the Bayt al-Māl, institutionalized brotherhood, and gradual cultural assimilation are analyzed. Drawing from primary sources including Hadith, Seerah literature, and early Islamic historiography the paper highlights how these welfare mechanisms created an environment of dignity, justice, and prosperity for new Muslims.

In its second section, the research explores the relevance of these Prophetic welfare approaches in addressing contemporary challenges faced by new converts to Islam worldwide, such as identity crises, social isolation, and lack of institutional support. The findings suggest that adopting the welfare principles of the Prophetic society not only strengthens individual identity but also contributes to broader goals of social cohesion, human rights, and sustainable development.