Migration to Medina (Hijrah)

Hijrah, in Islamic literature, typically refers to the historic event of the migration of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ and his companions, from Mecca to Medina. It happened in the year 622 CE. But it was not a spontaneous happening; it had a background of ever-increasing persecutions by the Quraysh, spanning over 12-13 years.

Initially, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ restricted preaching to his close friends and family members. After some time, he started spreading the Message of the Oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ to the general public, as well as the foreigners coming to Mecca for trade and pilgrimage. That was the turning point. The Quraysh tribe was at that time, the custodians of the Ka’aba and were also the ruling class of Mecca. When the Prophet سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى invited people to discontinue the Idolatry and worship only One Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, the Quraysh started opposing him. They thought, it would harm their political and economic interests, especially associated with the pilgrimage of Ka’aba and Idolatry.

Conflict Starts Between the Prophet and the Quraysh

The leaders of the Quraysh tried to stop the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ from preaching, by offering him various incentives. They also involved Abu Talib, the uncle of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ, who was his great supporter. Abu Talib talked to the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ on this sensitive issue. Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ explained to him the Message of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى and invited him to join the believers.

Although Abu Talib was not inclined to disassociate himself from the religion and faith of his ancestors, he was convinced about the truth and reality of the Oneness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى and the Prophethood of his nephew, Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. He assured his nephew Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ of his unwavering support, morally as well as physically and materially. He remained consistent with his commitment till his last breath.

He also wholeheartedly allowed his son Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ to go with the Prophet’s cause. Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ had already accepted Islam during the very earlier days. He was among the first four persons to enter into the true religion, as preached by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ.

Likewise, Khadija رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا, the wife of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ was another source of encouragement and support for him. She also played a crucial role in spreading the divine Message and assisted the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ in his endeavor.

Persecutions by the Quraysh

On the other hand, the persecution by the Quraysh was increasing with every passing day. The slaves, poor and oppressed segments of the believers, were the soft targets for them. They were put to torture by the Quraysh and forced to come back to their old religious beliefs. A couple of them were even killed during this horrific handling by the Quraysh. One of them was a female believer, Sumayya. Abu Jahal killed her. She is remembered as the first martyr in the history of Islam. Her husband, Yasir, was also killed similarly by the Quraysh.

Another important instance of such oppressive acts was that of Bilal رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. He was put under immense torture by his master. The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ asked Abu Bakar رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ to get him liberated, which Abu Bakar رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ somehow managed and got Bilal رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ freed from the slavery of his master. Bilal رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ eventually became the first Moazzin in the history of Islam. Moazzin recites Athan (call to prayer).

Several other new Muslims faced similar levels of torture and persecution at the hands of the powerful Quraysh.

Persecutions Faced by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ

Abu Jahal and Abu Lahab, who were the uncles of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ, were playing a key role in these acts of maltreatment against the believers. This did not remain restricted to the poor and slaves; gradually, they started teasing the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ as well. They used different tactics to harass the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. They would put filth on his back while he was praying. They used to throw thorns on his way to Ka’aba. Despite all these maneuvers, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ stood firm and committed to his duty, as the Prophet of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى and remained consistent in spreading the Message of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.

Social Boycott and Shoub-e-Abi Talib (شِعب أبي طالب)

During the consistent persecutions, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ also faced the event of a social boycott by the Meccans, historically known as the event of Shoub-e-Abi Talib (شِعب أبي طالب). This happened in the year 616 CE. The Prophet and his family, alongside Abu Talib and the majority of the Hashimites, were forced to leave Mecca and take refuge in the nearby valley known as Shoub-e-Abi Talib. It was owned by Abu Talib; hence named Shoub-e-Abi Talib. When the Meccans imposed a social boycott of the Hashimites, they took refuge in that valley and remained there for around three years. This was a period of serious difficulties for the Prophet and his followers.

The Year of Sorrow (عام الحزن)

The year 619 CE is commonly referred to as the “Year of Sorrow” (عام الحزن). This was the year when the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ lost his wife Khadija رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ and his uncle Abu Talib, one after the other. After the death of both, the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ lost the greatest moral and physical support. This also added to the difficulties for the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ.

The Prophet Faces Persecution in Ta’if

The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ kept on expanding the scope of his preaching. In this context, he traveled to Ta’if, some 70 miles away from Mecca. It was the year 619 CE. Here again, he faced horrendous acts by the people of Ta’if. The Prophet صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ was badly injured by the local people, but he did not stop preaching. After that he returned back to Mecca and resumed his preaching to the Meccans. But it was even more difficult time for him, as he had already lost two of his greatest supporters, Khadija رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا and Abu Talib.

The Prophet’s Life Was Under Threat

Just around that time, the Quraysh’s persecution touched the highest level. They decided to kill the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. Somehow, the conspiracy came into the knowledge of the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. Hence, with the Will and Command of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, it was decided by the Prophet to migrate from Mecca and settle in Medina.

This was the background and the sequence of events that compelled the Prophet and his followers to migrate from Mecca to Medina.

Hijra (Migration to Medina)

When the oppressive acts of the Quraysh reached the maximum, it was principally decided by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ, by the Will and Command of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى to leave Mecca and settle in Medina, which was known as Yathrib, in those days. The activity started in the year 620 CE when the Prophet met with a group of six members of the Banu Khazraj tribe of Medina. They were in Mecca on their routine trade and pilgrim-related matters. They were convinced with the preaching of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ and embraced Islam.

When these new Muslims of Banu Khazraj returned to Medina, they talked about the Prophet and his Message. The other famous tribe of Medina was Banu Aws. Some of them also embraced Islam. Next year, in 621 CE, they again met with the Prophet, and this interaction resulted in more people of Medina embracing Islam. In the year 622 CE, a group of 75 persons, including two women from Medina, met with the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ.

This meeting took place at Aqaba, a place on the outskirts of Mecca. After having a detailed conversation, facilitated by Abbas رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ, the Medinites reached an accord with the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ, assuring all support and cooperation to him, when he migrates from Mecca to Medina. This is commonly known as “Pledge al-Aqaba” (بیعة العقبة)

Muslims Start Migrating to Medina

After this historic pledge (بیعة العقبة) in the year 622 CE, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ instructed his followers in Mecca to quietly migrate to Medina. So, almost the entire Muslim population of Mecca left their hometown and migrated to Medina within the next three months. The Quraysh tried their best to prevent Muslims from migrating out of Mecca, but eventually, all of them successfully reached Medina. Only the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ, his cousin Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ and his close friend Abu Bakar رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ were left behind.

Hadith 7035 of Sahih Al-Bukhari, narrates that the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ had a dream about this historic migration:

Translation

Narrated Abu Musa: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “I saw in a dream that I was migrating from Mecca to a land where there were date palm trees. I thought that it might be the land of Al-Yamama or Hajar, but behold, it turned out to be Yathrib (i.e. Medina). And I saw cows (being slaughtered) there, but the reward given by Allah is better (than worldly benefits). Behold, those cows proved to symbolize the believers (who were killed) on the Day (of the battle) of Uhud, and the good (which I saw in the dream) was the good and the reward and the truth which Allah bestowed upon us after the Badr battle. (or the Battle of Uhud) and that was the victory bestowed by Allah in the Battle of Khaibar and the conquest of Mecca).

So, the migration to Medina was not only the result of the continued persecutions of Quraysh but was also commanded by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.

The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ Migrates to Medina

Eventually, the Quraysh, led by Abu Jahal, planned to kill the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. This conspiracy somehow reached the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. He planned to leave Mecca along with his best friend Abu Bakar رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ secretly, during the night.

Just in the night of his planned assassination, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ asked his cousin Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ to cover himself with the cloak of the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ and sleep in his bed. Ali رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ obeyed the instructions and slept in the bed of the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ left his house along with his trusted companion Abu Bakar رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ. They quietly left Mecca and hide themselves in a cave, known as the cave of Thawr (غَار ثَوْر), situated on the nearby Mount Thawr (جَبَل ثَوْر). They remained hidden in this cave for three nights.

During this time, some trusted persons used to take care of both the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ and his companion while keeping their presence, secret. After three days and nights, both of them started their travel towards Medina under the guidance of another trusted person. They did not take the normal route towards Medina but the guide helped them travel on another, less familiar route to Medina, just to keep their traveling secret.

The Prophet صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ Reached Medina

It is believed that it was the 27^th of September 622 CE when the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ reached Medina.

The people of Medina were anxiously waiting for the arrival of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ. Each day, they would gather in the outskirts of Medina, hoping that the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ would reach there. After a few days, that historical moment came when they saw two men in white clothes entering the boundaries of Medina.

The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ stopped at the place of Amr Ibn Awf and decided to stay there. He stayed at the place of Amr Ibn Awf for ten nights. During this time, he established the first-ever Islamic Mosque, known as Masjid Quba. Then he left this place while mounted on his she-camel. Eventually, the she-camel stopped near a yard, which was used for drying dates. The Prophet صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ decided to stay there. This yard was owned by two Orphans, Sohail and Sahl. The Prophet صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ asked them to tell the price of this yard, but they offered to give this place free of cost.

The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ decided to construct a mosque at this place. The construction work was carried out collectively by the entire Muslim population of Medina. The Prophet صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ also participated, physically, in this construction work. He used to carry stones and other construction materials and actively participated in the construction of this mosque. This Mosque still exists and is known as Masjid e Nabvi (the mosque of the Prophet), situated in Medina, Saudi Arabia.

After this historic migration, Islam entered into a new phase, highlighted by victory over the Meccans, in different Ghazwas (the Islamic battles where the Prophet صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ actively participated himself) and spreading of Islam in the entire Arabian Peninsula and even beyond that. The Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ established the first Islamic State in Medina.