HIJRAH - EMIGRATION

The Makkan Quraishites persecuted, mistreated, insulted and ridiculed Muhammad (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) and the first Muslims who had proclaimed their faith (Imaan) in one God /Diety (Allah). They overwhelmed this small group with invective to such an extent that it became impossible for these adherents of Islam to practice their religion in freedom. Moreover, by their threats, they frightened all those who wanted to accept this Deen (religion), Al-Islam.

The Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) himself, as well as his followers, suffered enormous atrocities both morally and physically. Sometimes he was labelled mad, sometimes he was subjected to the most abject jokes.

One day, the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) was praying at the Kaaba, without worrying about the furious looks of his gathered adversaries. On the orders of Abu‎ Jahl, a man went to get animal entrails from the slaughterhouse. He chose those of an animal slaughtered since several days, then, while the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) was seen prostrating in his Salah (prayer), he covered his neck and shoulders with them. It was his daughter, Fatima (Radiyallahu anha), who arriving later, threw off this trash. The whole audience was overcome by laughter and was slapping their backs.

Excited or terrorised by these fanatics, most of the Makkans were repelling Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) and were fleeing from him. Children and residents mercilessly chased him down the street, jeering at him.

By their threats, they frightened those who sought to approach the Messenger of Allah. They whistled, clapped their hands, shouted at the top of their lungs verses from idolatrous poets (like them) to prevent people from hearing the recitation of the Qur'an‎‎ (book of Allah) that Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) was carrying out on the threshold of the Kaaba.

The persecutions became more and more barbaric. In addition, the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) at the sight of the tortures endured by his disciples, was overwhelmed with intense sadness. So, as a solution, he advised a group of believers to leave Makkah (Hijra) and emigrate to Abyssinia, a country inhabited by Christians whose leader, The Negus was renowned for his tolerance and justice.

This emigration (Hijrah) was intended to prevent bloodshed in Makkah and on the other hand, it was a test for the sincere believers because only the sincere ones would agree to leave everything to safeguard their faith (Imaan). Unlike some of us who agree to abandon our Deen (religion) to safeguard our material interests and our ephemeral enjoyments.

Thereafter, Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) organised the gradual departure of his faithful ones towards the city of Yathrib (Madinah).

WHY MADINAH

The Makkahns developed great distrust for the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) and they avoided him like a plague. However, this hardly discouraged Allah's Chosen one in his mission. No important person arrived in Makkah except that he immediately went to him. Thus, he diverted his efforts towards the foreigners who were coming in crowds to Makkah for the ceremonies of the pilgrimage around the Kaaba.

One day, on the hill of Aqaba, the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) approached a group of newcomers who were in fact the leaders of the Jewish tribes (Khazrajes). He recited verses from the Qur'an to them and invited them to Islam. Delighted by his words, they responded to his call. They returned to their city (Madinah) with twelve other converts (including two from the Aus tribe) the following year. Thus, in Yathrib (Madinah), Islam did not encounter the difficulties which hindered its development in Makkah. The few companions who had already emigrated and the new converts from Yathrib (Madinah) found their task easy and Islam spread in almost all the districts of Madinah with the speed of lightning.

Thus, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam), now had a secure sanctuary / refuge in the city of Madinah and it was for this reason that he ordered his faithful disciples to take refuge there. However, this emigration (Hijrah) towards Madinah brought the anger of the Quraishites of Makkah to a fever pitch. They met in counselling and resolved to extinguish the torch of Islam and put to death the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam).

The assembled perfidious council received the unanimous approval of the assembly and the infidels thought to get rid of their enemy, but they relied on other than the will of the Almighty. The Angel Gabriel [Hadhrat Jibril (Alaihis Salaam)], sent by Allah, warned the messenger of the plot hatched against his life and ordered him to emigrate in his turn.

The first third of the night having passed, the conspirators placed themselves in ambush behind the door of the house of the Prophet (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) in order to prevent him from escaping. However, He who never sleeps watched over His Messenger.

The Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) quietly left his abode having confidence in the protection of his unique Creator.

"… Then Allah had assisted him when the Kuffaar drove him out... So Allah caused His tranquillity to descend on him, assisted him with an army that you had not seen. And placed the word of the Kuffaar at the very bottom while the word of Allah is right at the top. Allah is Mighty, The Wise." (9:40)

While Makkah was thus plotting against Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam), Madinah, on the contrary, was preparing an enthusiastic and solemn welcome. All they needed was a (physical) leader to be their spiritual guide. And Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) saw a fertile land and an insatiable thirst for religion on the part of the Ansaar while the Makkans did not want to drink from this spiritual source, and decided, by the order of his creator to go towards this people already educated and formed by faith (Imaan). It should be noted that the Ansaar already practiced Islam even before having a (physical) leader. Unlike today where many Muslims opt for a religious leader like Hadhrat Abu‎ Bakr Siddiq (Radiyallahu anhu‎) without themselves practicing and while their behaviour symbolises that of Abu‎ Jahl.

This emigration (Hijrah) of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) took place on a Monday, the twelve of the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal and became an integral part of Muslim history. This arrival in Madinah constitutes an essential element for the construction of an Islamic society and is one of the first steps towards the formation of an Islamic State. We can also give it a particular meaning, that is to say, The Breakup with Ignorance. The Refusal of Evil or The Rejection of Infidelity. In short, in a word, the Triumph of Truth over Lies.

THE MEANING OF THE WORD HIJRAH 

The word Hijrah is derived from the word Hajara which literally means to renounce, to abandon, to leave, etc. Islamically speaking, Hijrah means the abandonment of a place or a country where one cannot declare one's faith in Islam, nor practice it nor preach it in order to emigrate in the path of Allah to another land where one has the freedom to live in accordance to Islamic precepts.

The Hijrah from Makkah to Madinah, during the time of the Prophet (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) was obligatory (Farz). But this obligation was waived after the conquest of Makkah. 

"There is no more Hijrah after the conquest of Makkah." Moreover, after the conquest of Makkah, it was already a Dar-us-Salaam.

WHAT IS OUR HIJRAH?

Nowadays, the Hijrah does not include emigration to Madinah or even to another land, but consists of abandoning an environment that discourages the practice of our Deen (religion). However, the Hijrah is for us in the sense of abstaining from forbidden things and practicing Islam according to Islamic teachings.

Even if one lives in a non-Muslim country and practices his Deen while avoiding committing sins, whether openly or in secret, he is considered a Muhaajir (the one who performed Hijrah). On the other hand, one can live in a Muslim country without practicing the Divine laws, in which case one cannot be considered a Muhaajir. 

"The (true) Muhaajir is the one who abstains from all the sins forbidden by Allah."

However, the displacement is not important in itself, but it is the practice of Deen and the abandonment of the evil deeds that count. Thus, our Hijrah will not end until the sun rises in the west and Taubah (repentance) is no longer accepted.

HIJRAH IS THE ISLAMIC CALENDAR

We can only know the events that occurred during the period of history when we can situate them in time, i.e. give them a date. Thus, the year of the Prophet's emigration (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) was adopted by the Muslims as the starting point of their era. According to Bukhari, Hadhrat Sahl bin Sa'd (Radiyallahu anhu) said:

"They did not count the years from the year of the Revelation (Wahi) or to the death of the Prophet (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) but from the arrival of Muhammad (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) in Madinah (Hijrah)."

WHY THIS CHOICE?

During the reign of Hadhrat Umar-ibn-Al-Khattaab (Radiyallahu anhu) [the leader of the believers and the 2nd Caliph of Islam], Hadhrat Abu Musa (Radiyallahu anhu) wrote a letter to him, mentioning the difficulty he had in carrying out his orders, for no landmark, point of reference (year), appeared on his letters. Thus, Hadhrat Umar (Radiyallahu anhu) decided to gather his advisors for a mutual consultation (Shuraa) on this subject. Some of the advisors suggested that we begin our era from the birth of the Prophet (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam), others from his death or from his first revelation. However, it was the suggestion of Hadhrat Ali bin Abi Taalib (Radiyallahu anhu) that was accepted. He had found it necessary to begin the Islamic year from the emigration of Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) to Madinah (17th Hijrah).

Although the Hijrah of the Prophet (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) took place in the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the Islamic era was counted from the first emigrants (Muhaajireen) to Abyssinia, i.e. in the month of Muharram which was also the first month of the calendar of the pre-Islamic Arabs.

WHAT A CONTRAST!

The Prophet Muhammad (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) and his companions made immense sacrifices for the glory and beauty of Islam. They have sacrificed everything: homeland, honour, riches, comfort, etc. to safeguard their Imaan (faith) and to spread Islam in the four corners of the world. History is full of examples of this kind, and here is one of them:  

During the first year of emigration (Hijrah) one of the companions of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam), Hadhrat Suhaib (Radiyallahu anhu) was abruptly intercepted as he was about to leave Makkah. The infidels of Makkah did not want to let him go for the simple reason that he had faith (Imaan) in one Allah. Moreover, they declared that he had once been a poor and low man, and that now he had become rich and enjoyed a high status, which they attributed to the efforts and contributions of the people of Makkah.

Hadhrat Suhaib (Radiyallahu anhu) was found perplexed because he was faced with a difficult and delicate situation. He remained thoughtful for a moment and then said: "Since this is so, I agree to give up everything - property, fortune, wealth, honour, etc. provided that I am allowed to leave in peace." And this favour was granted to him. Such a great degree of Imaan (faith) and a great love for the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) were anchored in the depths of his heart that all his riches and pleasures that surrounded him were nothing but dust in his eyes.

He understood that salvation and success in this world and in the Hereafter were not to be found in vast riches and honour, but rather in struggle, perseverance, and patience. He preferred the pleasure of Allah and His Messenger to the things and beings he cherished most.

Nowadays, the opposite is true. We are more attached to worldly things and their Ephemeral enjoyment to the detriment of our Deen (religion). We are ready to sacrifice everything - Salah, Zakaat, Hajj, Sadaqah, fraternity, etc. to satisfy Shaitan to the greatest extent possible.

Yet Islam gives more importance to moral and spiritual advancement than to things which are cherished and it teaches its adherents to be prepared to sacrifice anything in order to answer the call of our Deen-Al-Islam.

O you who are captivated by the stratagem of Shaitan (Satan), wake up and hold fast to the rope of Allah.

[English version of "Hidjrah - Émigration" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 1]