CC ISSUE: NOV 2011 Last updated: Nov 3, 2011

Al Hijrah: The Mother of all Migrations

Sh. Kifah Mustapha

It was a consensus among companions of the Prophet (PBUH) led by Omar (RAA) during the time of his ruling as Caliph to start the Islamic calendar by the great migration from Makkah to Madinah, known as “Al Hijrah.”

Among other suggestions was to start it from the birth of Mohammad (PBUH) since it represented the birth of the man who brought Islam and was a mercy to mankind. Another suggestion was to begin from the time Mohammad (PBUH) received revelation at the age of 40 since it marked the connection and celebration of the Word of God brought down to earth. They even considered beginning from the prophet’s death (PBUH). In the end, people ultimately agreed on “Al Hijrah” as the beginning since it was an event all Muslims had taken part in. It was an incident that represented the birth of a new chapter in Islam and Muslim life. And with such a choice, it eliminated the possibility for people to praise their prophet (PBUH) in any way other than being a man and a messenger of God.

Obeying God and His Messenger

“Al Hijrah” represented the test of the Muslims’ faith, the preservation of the community, and it planted the seed for a brighter future for Islam and Muslims. Thirteen years of living Islam in Makkah paved the way for the migration and Muslims acted upon it without hesitation. The verse came questioning the lack of those who will hesitate to offer such a sacrifice to safeguard the ir faith even if it meant leaving their place of residence. God (SWT) said: {as for those whose souls the angels take while they are wronging themselves [in the midst of unbelief, the angels] will say to them: In what [state of faith] were you [in life]? They will say: We were [utterly] helpless in the land. [The Angels] will say: Was God’s earth not spacious [enough] for you to migrate therein, [away from unbelief]? It is these, then, whose [final] abode shall be Hell- and what an evil destination it is} 4:97.

Al Hijrah and Prophets before

“Al Hijrah” was not a phenomenon; in fact, prophets and messengers always migrated for their right to worship God and to safeguard their faith. Stories of migration helped the companions of the Prophet understand the types of sacrifices they had to offer for the sake of preserving their faith. In the Quran, God spoke about Abraham’s migration: {so [his nephew] Lot believed in him, whereupon [Abraham] said [to his people]: Indeed, I am migrating to my Lord. For, indeed, it is He [alone] who is the Overpowering [One], the All-Wise} 29:26.

Prophet Jacob and his family migrated to Egypt, and Prophet Moses and his people migrated from Egypt to the desert and then to Palestine. All these stories kept the faith of the Prophet’s companions high and brought tranquility to their hearts while facing all kinds of challenges around them. God (SWT) said: {yet all that We relate to you, [O Mohammad,] from the tidings of the messengers [who preceded you], is but to set firm your [own] heart. For in this [surah], the [revealed] truth has come to you- along with an [inspired] admonition [for the unbelievers to turn to God], and a reminder [of the way of God and His messengers] for the believers} 11:120.

“Al Hijrah” and worshiping God

People have many reasons for migrating like money, education, adventure or even safety. Migrating for the sake of worshiping God is by far the most honorable choice because it relates to the essence of your existence. We read in the Quran about our purpose in life which is “to worship God”; {and [know that] I have not created [either] Jinn or human beings [for any other end] but [to know and] worship Me [alone]} 51:56. If we are prevented from that, it becomes an obligation to seek a place for the preservation of our purpose in life. The order for Muslims to migrate was to ensure the protection of their faith and the right to worship God freely. To bring attention to the importance of worshiping God, He (SWT) declared that persecuting people against their faith is by far worse than killing. God (SWT) said: {for persecution is [far] more grievous than killing} 2:51.

Muslims migrating toward Abyssinia or Yathrib (later named Madinah) struggled to practice their faith. Abyssinia represented a land of justice where Muslims were able to worship God freely. The Prophet (PBUH), directing people to migrate to Abyssinia, said: “[why not] leave to the land of Abyssinia for in it is a king in which no one [under his rule] shall be wronged” (Haddith by Albani). In Yathrib the Muslim community grew due to the dedication of Musa’b son of Omair teaching Islam. When the Prophet (PBUH) arrived in Madinah, the city was already established to be a minaret of justice, equality and freedom, and such themes were the values that represented the concept of worshipping God next to (Tawheed) or monotheism.

Al Hijrah and sacrifice

The prophet (PBUH) when leaving Makkah said: “by Allah I know you [Makkah] are the best land of God and the most beloved to Him and if it wasn’t that your people [forced] me out I would not have left” ( Hadith Ibn Abdel Birr). All those who left Makkah sacrificed their place of birth and residence.
Another dimension of sacrifice was in relation to money and wealth. The great companion Suhayb “the Roman” was followed by pagans who demanded his wealth when he embarked on the migration. He told them about the place of his wealth and gained his safety to follow the Prophet to Madinah, and when the Prophet (PBUH) saw him, he said: “Aba Yahya [a] winner in his trade [you are]” (Hadith Al Wadi’ie).  Allah (SWT) revealed a verse in such a great sacrifice: {yet there are among people those who would give their [very] souls in seeking the good pleasure of God- and God is all-kind to [all His] servants} 2:271.
 
Being separated from family was a third dimension of sacrifice during Al Hijrah. Abu Salamah had to migrate with his wife and child for the sake of Allah, but his wife’s family forced her to stay in Makkah with her child leaving Abu Salamah to migrate alone. Abu Salamah’s family came to his wife, demanded the child to stay with them. They were a family torn apart with a mother who would cry standing by the road leading to Madinah for a whole year away from her husband and son. All these stories of sacrifices relate the price Muslims were willing to pay for the sake of saving their purpose in life, worshipping God.

Al Hijrah and protection

“Al Hijrah” was a reminder of God’s guardianship. At the cave of Thawr, Abu Bakr told the Prophet (PBUH) in fear of being seen: “if someone looked by his feet he will see us!” The Prophet (PBUH) replied: “what do you think O Abu Bakr of two in which Allah is their third!” (Hadith Al Bukhari).  When the pagan Suraqa, son of Malek came to kill the prophet to win the ransom, the Prophet (PBUH) told Abu Bakr: “do not grieve, for, indeed God is with us” (Hadith Al Bukhari). Suraqa would later give up on his pursuit of the Prophet (PBUH) and became a Muslim.

Al Hijrah and Tawakkul

“Al Hijrah” was a lesson about planning and depending on Allah (Tawakkul). You can see that in how the Prophet (PBUH) planned for his trip. Ali, his cousin, slept in his bed in Makkah as Abu Bakr prepared two camels for their long trip. They left at noon when heat kept everyone indoors, going south instead of north in the opposite direction of Madinah. They stayed in the cave of Thawr for three days until the situation calmed down, having a shepherd bring his sheep to cover their tracks. They trusted a pagan to lead them to Madinah while they kept their identities a secret. All this was a plan for a trip that the Prophet (PBUH) took with full faith that God (SWT) would protect them. It is indeed “Tawakkul” that brings together the use of means available and relying on God in all your matters.

Al Hijrah the trip that changed the world

Because of a trip taken over fourteen hundred years ago, Islam became a reality in many parts of the world with followers of diverse ethnicities, cultures, colors and languages. All followers remember “Al Hijrah”, the trip that changed the world and was the reason for embracing Islam.
Muslims should honor the Prophet (PBUH) by believing in him, practicing his Sunnah and looking up to him as the role model for all the matters of life. Muslims should honor the Prophet’s companions by learning from their experiences, understanding Islam through their lens and remembering them in (Duaa) supplications.

In many parts of the world people are still migrating for all kinds of reasons. Millions of Palestinians have been displaced from their homeland, Somalis migrate to seek a life free from drought and hunger, Syrians migrate for security, and the list goes on.

“Al Hijrah” changed the world for the Prophet (PBUH) and his followers. It brought them back to Makkah safe and secure. I pray that those who have migrated experience better conditions and that they will soon be able to return safely and proudly home, Ameen.

Sh. Kifah Mustapha,
Chairman of the Illinois Council for Imams and Scholars