Migration to Medina (Hijra)
Background: Increasing Hostility in Mecca
By 622 CE, life in Mecca had become nearly unbearable for Muhammad and his followers. The Quraysh leaders, threatened by his message of monotheism and social justice, had intensified their persecution. The Muslims faced:
- Physical abuse: Many early Muslims, particularly the vulnerable, like slaves and the poor, were subjected to torture and public humiliation.
- Economic and social boycott: The Muslim community was isolated through a boycott initiated by the Quraysh, cutting them off from trade and social interactions, causing immense hardship.
- Death of key supporters: The deaths of Khadijah, Muhammad’s wife, and Abu Talib, his protective uncle, left the Prophet without significant social protection.
Amid this growing danger, Muhammad began to seek an alternative location where the Muslims could practice their faith freely.
Invitation from Yathrib (Medina)
Around the year 620 CE, a delegation from Yathrib (a city about 320 km north of Mecca) met Muhammad during the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. Yathrib was a city with two dominant Arab tribes, the Aws and Khazraj, who were frequently at war with each other. The leaders of Yathrib saw Muhammad as a potential unifying figure and mediator for their conflict, in addition to being attracted to the message of Islam.
In 621 CE, twelve men from Yathrib pledged their allegiance to Muhammad in what became known as the First Pledge of Aqaba, where they vowed to believe in one God, reject idol worship, and follow Muhammad’s teachings.
In 622 CE, 75 people from Yathrib, including women, returned to Mecca for the Second Pledge of Aqaba, where they invited Muhammad and his followers to Yathrib and promised him protection. This was a significant moment, as it provided the Muslims with a safe haven and the possibility of building an Islamic state.
The Hijra (Migration)
After receiving the pledge of protection from the people of Yathrib, Muhammad decided to leave Mecca. The Quraysh, alarmed by the growing influence of Islam, plotted to assassinate him. However, through divine guidance, Muhammad was able to avoid their plot.
- Ali ibn Abi Talib, Muhammad’s cousin, stayed in his bed to mislead the assassins, allowing Muhammad and his close companion Abu Bakr to escape Mecca undetected.
- Muhammad and Abu Bakr took a less-traveled route to avoid pursuit, hiding in the Cave of Thawr for three days while the Quraysh searched for them.
Eventually, after a perilous journey through the desert, they safely arrived in Yathrib, where Muhammad was warmly welcomed by the people.
Establishment of Medina as the First Islamic State
Upon his arrival in Yathrib, the city became known as Medina ("The City of the Prophet"). This marked the foundation of the first Islamic state, which was based on the principles of justice, equality, and mutual cooperation, as outlined in the Constitution of Medina (Sahifah al-Madina).
This constitution was a groundbreaking document that:
- Defined the rights and responsibilities of the Muslim, Jewish, and other communities in Medina.
- Established religious freedom for all citizens, including non-Muslims, as long as they adhered to the peace and order of the city.
- Created a system of justice where disputes would be resolved fairly.
- Unified the previously warring tribes of Aws and Khazraj, who now worked together under the leadership of Muhammad.
Significance of the Hijra
The Hijra is significant for several reasons:
- Start of the Islamic calendar: The Hijra marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar, as it represents the formation of a cohesive Muslim community.
- Foundation of an Islamic society: In Medina, Muhammad was not only a religious leader but also a statesman and judge, laying the foundations for a political system based on Islamic principles.
- Strengthening of Islam: The Muslims, once persecuted in Mecca, now had a base where they could practice their faith freely and openly. Medina became the heart of the expanding Islamic movement.
Brotherhood Between Migrants (Muhajirun) and Helpers (Ansar)
One of Muhammad’s first actions in Medina was to foster a bond between the Muhajirun (the Muslim migrants from Mecca) and the Ansar (the local Muslim inhabitants of Medina). He paired members of both groups together as "brothers" in order to support and assist each other, sharing wealth and resources.
This unity between the two groups was critical in creating a strong, cohesive community. The spirit of brotherhood allowed the Muslim community to thrive in Medina, despite initial challenges.
Challenges in Medina
Although the Muslims were now in a safer environment, they faced new challenges:
- Economic hardships: The Muhajirun had left behind their wealth and property in Mecca, and Medina’s economy needed to accommodate the new migrants.
- Hostility from Mecca: The Quraysh continued to oppose Muhammad and his followers, leading to military confrontations in the following years.
- Internal opposition: Some Jewish tribes and hypocrites (those who pretended to accept Islam but secretly opposed it) in Medina presented political challenges.
Despite these difficulties, the Constitution of Medina helped stabilize relations, and Muhammad’s leadership proved instrumental in navigating the community through these challenges.
Conclusion
The Hijra was a momentous event that transformed Islam from a persecuted faith in Mecca to a growing religious and political force in Medina. It marked the birth of the first Islamic state, the consolidation of the Muslim community, and the beginning of Islam’s expansion beyond the Arabian Peninsula.
Medina became the launchpad for the spread of Islam, and within a decade, Muhammad would lead the Muslims in a series of events that culminated in the peaceful conquest of Mecca in 630 CE. The Hijra stands as a symbol of sacrifice, resilience, and the triumph of faith over adversity.
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