385. Priority for relatives

In this verse (8:72) of the Quran, it is pointed out the Muhajirs who performed hijarath and the Ansars who helped them on their arrival in Madina are more indebted to each other on a priority basis. Prophet Muhmmad and his comrades migrated to Madina from Makkah, and arrived in Madina as refugees. Prophet Muhammad created a brotherly bond between each of the refugees and the residents of Madina. Bukhari (2292, 4580, 6747) 

The residents of Madina implemented their brotherly bond with their counterparts in word and spirit by sharing their belongings with them. They shared their houses, businesses, lands, clothes and all other belongings.

This was only a temporary arrangement. Each head of a family has his own family members as legal heirs to his belongings. This temporary arrangement which was allowed at a precarious situation was later prohibited, through verses (33:6, 8:75) of the Quran. To establish the rights of relatives over that of the believers and those who emigrated for the cause of Islam, the Almighty made changes in the inheritance laws.