With the beginning of Muharram month, the first month in the Islamic calendar, Muslims all over the world celebrate a special and characteristic event; that is the Hijrah occasion!
Basically, The Prophet’s Migration, known as the Hijra from Makkah to Yathrib (known as Madinah after Hijrah), marks an exceptional event in Islamic history. This significant journey by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE not only changed the course of Islam but also established a new era for Islam and Muslims as Hijrah signifies a profound transformation for the Muslim community. In fact, this journey marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar (1 AH, Anno Hegirae) and represents a turning point where Islam transitioned from a persecuted religion to an established entity. In Madinah, prophet Muhammad ﷺ succeeded in creating a cohesive Muslim community (ummah) tied by religious and social principles. What are the causes of Hijrah? How was the journey itself? And what are the lessons we should learn from this momentous event?
The Causes of Hijrah
After receiving the oder from Allah ﷻ to covey the message, prophet Muhammad ﷺ started to call people secretly in Makkah to convert to Islam. This phase of secrecy in preaching Islam lasted for 3 years. Then prophet Muhammad ﷺ received another command to proclaim openly the message of Islam, so over a decade prophet Muhammad ﷺ kept on preaching the message of Islam in Makkah. His teachings emphasized monotheism, social justice, and moral rectitude, challenging polytheism and the tribal norms of Meccan society. This caused severe opposition from Quraysh’s side, the dominant tribe not just in Makkah but all over the Arabian Peninsula. Quraysh leaders waged a war of hostility and persecution against prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his followers. The situation became tense and complicated as Quraysh exerted their efforts to suppress the nascent Muslim community.
Quraysh continued to escalate their suppression and persecution against prophet and his followers who came to him and complained. Consequently, prophet gave the order to a group of his companions to migrate to Habashah land (now Ethiopia) as there existed a just ruler known as Annajashi. Another journey to Habashah occurred at the command of prophet Muhammad. During this crucial period, Muslims, who stayed at Makkah with the messenger of Allah ﷺ , were instructed to have patience and forbearance towards Quraysh’s hostile practices until the divine command would come from Almighty Allah ﷻ to allow the persecuted Muslims to defend themselves and to fight against the disbelievers.
As a matter of fact, the turning point that changed the equation came when a delegation from Yathrib (known as Madinah after Hijrah) embraced Islam and invited prophet Muhammad and his followers to move to their city, giving their pledge of protection and support. This invitation provided the safe refuge for Muslims and opened up the opportunity to establish a community bound by the principles and the teachings of Islam.
The Journey
After years of persecution and suffering, the divine command came from Allah to his prophet to order his companions to migrate from Makkah to Madinah. The Muslims obeyed and executed the command at once. They started to migrate secretly in groups, group after group, leaving behind their houses and properties for the sake of Allah. Prophet Muhammad waited in Makkah until receiving the permission from Allah to migrate. The permission was granted to him to make journey to Madinah, so he chose his close companion Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with him) to accompany him. Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr departed Makkah under the cover of night to avoid detection. Their journey was at stake as Quraysh leaders, who were aware of the planned migration, had plotted to assassinate Muhammad ﷺ For several days but ﷻ saved him. Prophet Muhammad and Abu Bakr hid in the Cave of Thawr, escaping from their pursuers.
Once the immediate threat subsided, they continued their journey across the harsh Arabian desert. After approximately ten days, they reached Quba, near Madina, where Muhammad was warmly welcomed by the Emigrants (Al-Muhajireen) and the Helpers (Al-Ansaar). The Prophet spent a few days in Quba, where he laid the foundation of the first mosque in Islamic history before finally entering Madina.
The lessons:
Actually, the immense significance of Hijrah event lies in extracting and learning the lessons that could be reflected in our reality. The lessons taken from the Hira event can be summarized in the following lines:
1- Adopting means and causes.
Both prophet ﷺ and his campaign Abubakr did their best to migrate using all means available to hide and make their journey successful. They prepared and put their plan to leave Makkah secretly, however some mistakes occurred because it is a human planning at the end. For instance, the polytheists reached the prophet’s house earlier than he imagined. They also reached the cave of Thawr and Suraqah bin Malik became closer from prophet ﷺ and abubakr and thought they are within his reach. All these incidents happened but Allah saved them and this takes us to the second lesson.
2- Relying entirely on Almighty Allah.
As mentioned above, Prophet ﷺ took the causes and means available in his migration journey but he did not depend only on them. Rather, prophet relied heavily on the Lord of these causes and means because he already knew that such reasons do not work by themselves but by the willing and the permission of Allah. Therefore, one can easily notice the prophet’s reliance on Allah in his wonderful statement to assure his close friend Abu Bakr.
” ما ظنك باثنين الله ثالثهما “
“What do you think about two men Allah is their third?!”
3- Hope and Confidence in achieving victory.
Prophet ﷺ never gave up hope yet the precarious journey and polytheists’ determination to catch him. For instance, During this blessed Hijrah prophet ﷺ gave glad tidings of victory for Islam and Muslims over Quraysh and the whole Arab to Suraqah bin Malik who managed to reach prophet and Abubakr. Not only the victory over Arab prophet foretold Suraqah, but he also promised that Muslims would topple Kisra, Emperor of Persia, from his throne.
4- Companionship.
In all his stages of life prophet ﷺ was careful to have companions. He lived in Makkah among his companions, moved to Al-Ta’if with his companion Zayd bin Harithah, met the delegations with his companions. Although Muhammad is the messenger of Allah and protected by Allah, he asked angel Gabriel about his companion in the journey of Hijrah. So, prophet wanted to teach us an original Islamic rule which is
” Satan is with the one who is alone but he is further away from the two”
“الشَّيْطَانُ مِعَ الْوَاحِدِ، وَهُوَ مِنَ الاِثْنَيْنِ أَبْعَدُ”.
5- Sacrifice
In deed, the early Muslims sacrificed everything for the sake of their religion. They sacrificed their wealth, houses, properties, and all what they possessed in the cause of Allah. The best example we can set forth in this regard is that of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq who loved prophet Muhammad ﷺ more than his self. He prepared two she-camels for the Hijrah journey although he did not know that prophet would migrate with him but he had that feeling. While walking in the desert and on their way to Madinah, Abu Bakr used to look around out of fear, therefore, he sometimes walked behind the prophet and sometimes in front of him. He cleaned and swept the cave of Thawr before the entrance of prophet ﷺ to make sure that it is safe. He spend all his money in the cause of Allah. Furthermore, he used all his family members in the plan of this blessed journey like his son Abdullah whose job was to listen to what Quraysh said and then tell prophet ﷺ and his father about the updates. His daughter Asma’ was responsible for providing food and drink to them while hiding in the cave. This is just one example among so many wonderful ones for the sacrifices the companions made for the sake of their faith. In short, the companions had the best example in front of their eyes sacrificing everything that is the messenger of Allah ﷺ, so they imitated and followed him in his footsteps.
6- Preaching Islam everywhere and at all times.
Prophet ﷺ excreted great efforts in preaching Islam even in this critical situation where the polytheists were chasing him and his companion. Under these unusual circumstances, prophet ﷺ was fulfilling his job which is conveying the message of Islam to people. So, he called one of the disbelievers whose name is Buraydah who was the leader of Aslam tribe. This man was pursuing prophet and could reach him at the end. Prophet called him to accept Islam and he finally embraced Islam along with his tribe. Therefore, the main concern for prophet Muhammad ﷺ was not to find a way to escape but also to seize the opportunity to call people to Islam.
Conclusion:
The legacy of the Prophet’s Migration endures in contemporary Islamic thought and practice. It serves as a reminder of the importance of faith, community, and the pursuit of justice. The Hijra underscores the transformative power of belief and the potential for positive change even in the face of adversity.
In sum, the Prophet’s Migration is a cornerstone of Islamic history, reflecting a journey not just of physical movement but of spiritual and communal evolution. It remains a testament to the permanent values of faith, solidarity, and the quest for a just society. Also, Hijra represents the concept of sacrifice and trust in divine providence. The willingness of early Muslims to leave behind their homes and possessions for the sake of their faith epitomizes devotion and resilience. This event is commemorated annually during the Islamic New Year, reinforcing the themes of renewal, perseverance, and hope.