MOSQUE OF THE BANU AL-HARITH IBN AL-KHAZRAJ
The house of Kharijah ibn Zayd where Abu Bakr fell ill.
The Arrival of Abu Bakr in Medina
During the Hijra in the year 1 AH (622 CE), the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr arrived together in Medina. However, Abu Bakr did not settle immediately in the center — he first went to live in As-Sunh, a suburb in the neighborhood of the Banu al-Harith ibn al-Khazraj, welcomed by Kharijah ibn Zayd al-Ansari (رضي الله عنه).
The Fever of Medina
Shortly after their arrival, several Emigrants fell seriously ill. The humid climate of Medina, so different from the dry air of Mecca, triggered an epidemic fever.
'Aisha (رضي الله عنها) reported: "When the Prophet ﷺ arrived in Medina, Abu Bakr and Bilal had the fever. I entered their house and asked them: 'How do you feel?' Abu Bakr said: 'Every man begins his morning among his family, while death is closer than the strap of his sandal.'" (Sahih al-Bukhari no. 1889 · Sahih Muslim no. 1376)
The Marriage to the Host's Daughter
Abu Bakr married the daughter of his host Kharijah ibn Zayd: Habiba bint Kharijah ibn Zayd al-Ansariyyah. This marriage sealed the bonds between the Muhajirun and Ansar through blood. It was a practice encouraged by the Prophet ﷺ to strengthen the new community. (Ibn Sa'd · Tabaqat al-Kubra)
From this union was born Umm Kulthum bint Abi Bakr (رضي الله عنها), after the death of Abu Bakr (in 13 AH/634 CE).
The Death of Abu Bakr in This Neighborhood
Having become caliph in the year 11 AH, Abu Bakr (رضي الله عنه) continued to reside partly in As-Sunh in this same neighborhood. It was in the year 13 AH (634 CE) that he fell ill with the disease that would take him. It was from this same illness that he died, buried alongside the Prophet ﷺ in Aisha's chamber.
Why Visit
1. The Hospitality of the Ansar: Kharijah ibn Zayd embodies the legendary hospitality that opened doors and families to the Muhajirun.
2. The Memory of Abu Bakr outside of Saqifat Bani Sa'idah — his simple humanity.
3. Marriage as the Cement of the Community — a concrete fusion of the two components.