In Madina, there was a platform on the north side of the mosque next to the Masjid Nabwi. On this platform, like the whole Masjid al-Nabwi, a canopy made of palm leaves. It was called Safat al-Masjid, which was later abbreviated as Suffa.
Ahl-e-Suffa (Suffa ’s Students):
At different times, the Companions who were homeless used to stay on this platform and other Companions used to sit there during the day and memorize the Holy Quran. It has been the residence of different elders at different times, some for a long time and some for a very short time. And perhaps some from the beginning until the death of the Prophet (SAW).
These saints used to spend most of their time in acquiring knowledge of the religion through the Holy Quran and the words of the Prophet (SAW) or they used to spend their time in performing their services which from time to time. They show entrust to him by the Prophets. He used to convey the message of the Prophet (SAW) to the tribes. Sometimes he assigned to some other places to teach the Holy Quran to the new Muslim community. These elders remembered in Islamic history Ashab-us-Suffa, Ahl-e-Suffa and Arbab Suffa.
History of Suffa:
With the Masjid Nabwi, there was nothing unusual or modern about Suffa for Madina or the general Arab population. Such sittings made in houses, in gardens, and in hunting grounds, and called Suffa. In the month of Rabi-ul-awal of the first Hijri, when the Holy Prophet (SAW) visited his sincere and unique friend and follower He visited a place name Quba near Madina with him and built the first masjid in Maqam Quba after the revelation of the Holy Quran.
A large number of the Muhajir Sahabah had migrated here and there in the last few months. And then it decide that the next permanent residence of the Prophet (SAW) would be Yathrib. And it would have the honor of being the center of Islamic preaching. The Muslims started calling Dar al-Hijrah Yathrib “Madinah al-Nabi” which later became known as Madinah. The Qur’an al-Hakim mentions both the names of this city, Yathrib and Al-Madinah. Now some people came to Madinah who had migrated and stayed at the Masjid Nabwi because they had no place to stay. As the scope of Islamic preaching expanded, people from distant tribes began to come to study the religion. There was no guest house or hostel in Madina.
Brotherhood of Suffa’ s Students:
Initially, the Muhajreen who came there. they established a brotherhood between them and the Ansar of Madina. And they were trying to stand on their own two feet with the help of their Ansari brothers. But there were also a few who did not have a brotherhood and there were some who did not come to live permanently in Madina. But they came for a few days to learn the religion Islam in this short period from the language of grace, revelation and prophecy. And then go back and teach the religion to your tribes. One thing that born again that was under the leadership of the Prophet (SAW) the civil state of Madina had now come into being.
The head of the nation needed to have a group of volunteers at all times to carry out his administrative orders. And to convey his orders to other communities who were ready to obey his order. He should send away immediately and that person. Who is entrusted with the task of informing him do not incapable of completing this task due to his domestic chores. Obviously, not all things are possible in one day.
The fulfillment of the essential components of a government and state is always slow and gradual. So where could there be a place for such volunteers to hide their heads immediately. n which case a small platform near the mosque with palm leaves. The canopy made to meet the temporary need. This platform became famous and called Safat-ul-Masjid according to the common dialect of the time.
Purpose of Suffa:
The purpose was that Suffa was a place where followers of the prophet (PBUH), learns Islamic lessons. people who came from different places for different periods to stay there.
(A) Those who wanted to perform only for Allah, that is, sincere volunteers of the Islamic Movement. But those people did not stay on the Suffa permanently and did not stay there for a long time. On the contrary, they often traveled to other places to carry out the Prophet’s instructions.
(B) The people who were very poor, needy and the immigrants who had no relatives in Madinah and no friends. These people would stay on the Suffa until they found a place to settle and some form of resettlement.
(C) Those who used to come to Madina for a few days to study. But since there was no hostel or guest house for them, they spent their stay on the Suffa.