Hijrah (Arabic: هِجْرَة) is an Arabic term meaning “migration” or “emigration,” referring historically to the Prophet Muhammad and his followers’ journey from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE to escape persecution. It marks the beginning of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar. Beyond the physical, it signifies a spiritual journey abandoning evil for God. Wikipedia +3
Key details regarding the meaning of Hijrah:
- Historical Event: In 622 CE, Muhammad left Mecca after his clan withdrew protection, leading to the creation of the first Muslim community in Medina, a foundational event for the religion.
- Calendar Epoch: The Hijrah marks the starting point of the Islamic lunar calendar (1 AH).
- Spiritual Significance: It represents a, “turning of the heart” away from sin, immorality, and disobedience to Allah towards obedience and righteousness.
- Physical Migration: It can mean relocating from a place of religious persecution or temptation to a land where Islamic practices are facilitated.
- Types of Hijrah: Scholars often categorize it into the historic migration, the spiritual migration of the self, and physical migration to improve one’s religious life.
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Note on Confusion: The Islamic term Hijrah (migration) is entirely distinct from the South Asian term Hijra, which refers to transgender people or eunuchs.
In Islam, Hijrat (Arabic: هِجْرَة, also spelled Hijrah or Hegira) refers to the act of migration for the sake of God. While it most famously denotes the historical journey of Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina, the term has broader historical and spiritual meanings. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
1. The Prophet’s Migration (622 CE)
The most significant Hijrat occurred in 622 CE, when Prophet Muhammad and his companions fled severe religious persecution and assassination attempts in Mecca to find safety in the city of Yathrib (later renamed Medina). [1, 6, 7]
- Establishment of the Ummah: This move allowed the early Muslims to practice their faith freely and establish the first unified Muslim community based on justice and shared faith rather than tribal ties.
- The Islamic Calendar: The year of this migration marks the “Epoch” or beginning of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar.
- Turning Point: Scholars consider it the pivotal event that divides Islamic history into the Meccan (Makki) and Medinan (Madani) periods, which also distinguishes the context of Quranic revelations. [3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]
2. Other Historical Migrations
The migration to Medina was not the first Hijrat in Islam: [12]
- Migration to Abyssinia (Ethiopia): Around 615 CE, before the move to Medina, a small group of Muslims fled to the Kingdom of Aksum (modern-day Ethiopia) to seek protection from a righteous Christian king, the Negus, who provided them refuge from Meccan persecution.
- Prophets of the Past: Islamic tradition notes that earlier prophets, such as Abraham and Moses, also performed migrations (Hijrat) to escape oppression or follow God’s command. [11, 13, 14, 15]
3. Spiritual and Metaphorical Hijrat
In addition to physical travel, Islamic teachings describe a spiritual Hijrat that remains relevant today: [5, 16, 17]
- Migration of the Heart: This is the act of leaving behind sins, bad habits, and negative influences to turn toward righteousness and obedience to God.
- Self-Improvement: Any sincere effort to better oneself, such as controlling anger or practicing forgiveness, is considered a form of Hijrat.
- Hadith Quote: A well-known Prophetic tradition states, “The Muhajir (migrant) is the one who abandons what Allah has forbidden”. [5, 7, 12, 17, 18, 19]
Key Terminology
- Muhajirun: The “Migrants” who moved from Mecca to Medina.
- Ansar: The “Helpers” or residents of Medina who welcomed and supported the migrants. [6, 7]
Would you like to know more about the specific events of the journey to Medina, or perhaps the structure of the Hijri calendar?
[5] https://mezquitadesevilla.com
[6] https://www.britannica.com
[7] https://www.madinahcollege.uk
[11] https://historyofislam.com
[12] https://www.rrg.sg
[15] https://www.muslimpro.com
[18] https://muslim.sg
[19] https://yaqeeninstitute.org
In Islam, Hijrat (or Hijrah) refers to the act of migration for the sake of God, specifically to escape religious persecution or to find a place where one can practice Islam freely. While the word literally means “migration” or “departure,” it carries a deep spiritual significance of leaving behind something harmful for a better, more righteous state. [1, 2, 3]
During the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), there were three major migrations undertaken by the early Muslim community: [4, 5]
1. The First Hijrah to Abyssinia (615 CE) [6]
- Participants: A small group of about 15 people (11 men and 4 women), led by Uthman ibn Affan (RA) and including the Prophet’s daughter Ruqayyah (RA).
- Destination: The Christian Kingdom of Aksum (modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea).
- Reason: To escape severe torture and persecution from the Quraysh tribe in Mecca. The Prophet (SAW) chose this land because its king, the Negus (Najashi), was known for his justice and righteousness. [2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]
2. The Second Hijrah to Abyssinia (c. 616 CE)
- Participants: A much larger group of approximately 101 people (83 men and 18 women), led by Ja’far ibn Abi Talib (RA).
- Reason: Many of the first migrants had returned to Mecca after hearing false rumors that the Quraysh had converted to Islam. Upon finding the situation worse than before, they fled back to Abyssinia with a larger group to seek continued protection under the Negus. [4, 7, 12, 13, 14]
3. The Great Hijrah to Medina (622 CE)
- Participants: Nearly the entire Muslim community of Mecca, including the Prophet (SAW) himself and his close companion Abu Bakr (RA).
- Destination: Yathrib, which was later renamed Medina (“the City of the Prophet”).
- Significance: This migration was a pivotal turning point that marked the transition from a persecuted minority to the establishment of the first Islamic state. It was so critical that the second Caliph, Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA), designated this year as the start of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar. [2, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19]
Would you like to know more about the Constitution of Medina or the specific miracles that occurred during the journey to Medina?
[3] https://thekashmirimages.com
[10] https://www.manchesterisoc.com
[11] https://www.dar-alifta.org
[12] https://easterncrescent.net
[13] https://al-islam.org
[16] https://courses.lumenlearning.com
[18] https://brainly.in
[19] https://www.britannica.comIn Islam, Hijrat (or Hijrah) refers to the act of migration for the sake of God, specifically to escape religious persecution or to find a place where one can practice Islam freely. While the word literally means “migration” or “departure,” it carries a deep spiritual significance of leaving behind something harmful for a better, more righteous state. [1, 2, 3]
During the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), there were three major migrations undertaken by the early Muslim community: [4, 5]
1. The First Hijrah to Abyssinia (615 CE) [6]
- Participants: A small group of about 15 people (11 men and 4 women), led by Uthman ibn Affan (RA) and including the Prophet’s daughter Ruqayyah (RA).
- Destination: The Christian Kingdom of Aksum (modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea).
- Reason: To escape severe torture and persecution from the Quraysh tribe in Mecca. The Prophet (SAW) chose this land because its king, the Negus (Najashi), was known for his justice and righteousness. [2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]
2. The Second Hijrah to Abyssinia (c. 616 CE)
- Participants: A much larger group of approximately 101 people (83 men and 18 women), led by Ja’far ibn Abi Talib (RA).
- Reason: Many of the first migrants had returned to Mecca after hearing false rumors that the Quraysh had converted to Islam. Upon finding the situation worse than before, they fled back to Abyssinia with a larger group to seek continued protection under the Negus. [4, 7, 12, 13, 14]
3. The Great Hijrah to Medina (622 CE)
- Participants: Nearly the entire Muslim community of Mecca, including the Prophet (SAW) himself and his close companion Abu Bakr (RA).
- Destination: Yathrib, which was later renamed Medina (“the City of the Prophet”).
- Significance: This migration was a pivotal turning point that marked the transition from a persecuted minority to the establishment of the first Islamic state. It was so critical that the second Caliph, Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA), designated this year as the start of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar. [2, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19]
Would you like to know more about the Constitution of Medina or the specific miracles that occurred during the journey to Medina?
[3] https://thekashmirimages.com
[10] https://www.manchesterisoc.com
[11] https://www.dar-alifta.org
[12] https://easterncrescent.net
[13] https://al-islam.org
[16] https://courses.lumenlearning.com
[18] https://brainly.in
[19] https://www.britannica.comIn Islam, Hijrat (or Hijrah) refers to the act of migration for the sake of God, specifically to escape religious persecution or to find a place where one can practice Islam freely. While the word literally means “migration” or “departure,” it carries a deep spiritual significance of leaving behind something harmful for a better, more righteous state. [1, 2, 3]
During the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), there were three major migrations undertaken by the early Muslim community: [4, 5]
1. The First Hijrah to Abyssinia (615 CE) [6]
- Participants: A small group of about 15 people (11 men and 4 women), led by Uthman ibn Affan (RA) and including the Prophet’s daughter Ruqayyah (RA).
- Destination: The Christian Kingdom of Aksum (modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea).
- Reason: To escape severe torture and persecution from the Quraysh tribe in Mecca. The Prophet (SAW) chose this land because its king, the Negus (Najashi), was known for his justice and righteousness. [2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]
2. The Second Hijrah to Abyssinia (c. 616 CE)
- Participants: A much larger group of approximately 101 people (83 men and 18 women), led by Ja’far ibn Abi Talib (RA).
- Reason: Many of the first migrants had returned to Mecca after hearing false rumors that the Quraysh had converted to Islam. Upon finding the situation worse than before, they fled back to Abyssinia with a larger group to seek continued protection under the Negus. [4, 7, 12, 13, 14]
3. The Great Hijrah to Medina (622 CE)
- Participants: Nearly the entire Muslim community of Mecca, including the Prophet (SAW) himself and his close companion Abu Bakr (RA).
- Destination: Yathrib, which was later renamed Medina (“the City of the Prophet”).
- Significance: This migration was a pivotal turning point that marked the transition from a persecuted minority to the establishment of the first Islamic state. It was so critical that the second Caliph, Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA), designated this year as the start of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar. [2, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19]
Would you like to know more about the Constitution of Medina or the specific miracles that occurred during the journey to Medina?
[3] https://thekashmirimages.com
[10] https://www.manchesterisoc.com
[11] https://www.dar-alifta.org
[12] https://easterncrescent.net
[13] https://al-islam.org
[16] https://courses.lumenlearning.com
[18] https://brainly.in
[19] https://www.britannica.comIn Islam, Hijrat (or Hijrah) refers to the act of migration for the sake of God, specifically to escape religious persecution or to find a place where one can practice Islam freely. While the word literally means “migration” or “departure,” it carries a deep spiritual significance of leaving behind something harmful for a better, more righteous state. [1, 2, 3]
During the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), there were three major migrations undertaken by the early Muslim community: [4, 5]
1. The First Hijrah to Abyssinia (615 CE) [6]
- Participants: A small group of about 15 people (11 men and 4 women), led by Uthman ibn Affan (RA) and including the Prophet’s daughter Ruqayyah (RA).
- Destination: The Christian Kingdom of Aksum (modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea).
- Reason: To escape severe torture and persecution from the Quraysh tribe in Mecca. The Prophet (SAW) chose this land because its king, the Negus (Najashi), was known for his justice and righteousness. [2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]
2. The Second Hijrah to Abyssinia (c. 616 CE)
- Participants: A much larger group of approximately 101 people (83 men and 18 women), led by Ja’far ibn Abi Talib (RA).
- Reason: Many of the first migrants had returned to Mecca after hearing false rumors that the Quraysh had converted to Islam. Upon finding the situation worse than before, they fled back to Abyssinia with a larger group to seek continued protection under the Negus. [4, 7, 12, 13, 14]
3. The Great Hijrah to Medina (622 CE)
- Participants: Nearly the entire Muslim community of Mecca, including the Prophet (SAW) himself and his close companion Abu Bakr (RA).
- Destination: Yathrib, which was later renamed Medina (“the City of the Prophet”).
- Significance: This migration was a pivotal turning point that marked the transition from a persecuted minority to the establishment of the first Islamic state. It was so critical that the second Caliph, Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA), designated this year as the start of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar. [2, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19]
Would you like to know more about the Constitution of Medina or the specific miracles that occurred during the journey to Medina?
[3] https://thekashmirimages.com
[10] https://www.manchesterisoc.com
[11] https://www.dar-alifta.org
[12] https://easterncrescent.net
[13] https://al-islam.org
[16] https://courses.lumenlearning.com
[18] https://brainly.in
[19] https://www.britannica.comIn Islam, Hijrat (or Hijrah) refers to the act of migration for the sake of God, specifically to escape religious persecution or to find a place where one can practice Islam freely. While the word literally means “migration” or “departure,” it carries a deep spiritual significance of leaving behind something harmful for a better, more righteous state. [1, 2, 3]
During the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), there were three major migrations undertaken by the early Muslim community: [4, 5]
1. The First Hijrah to Abyssinia (615 CE) [6]
- Participants: A small group of about 15 people (11 men and 4 women), led by Uthman ibn Affan (RA) and including the Prophet’s daughter Ruqayyah (RA).
- Destination: The Christian Kingdom of Aksum (modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea).
- Reason: To escape severe torture and persecution from the Quraysh tribe in Mecca. The Prophet (SAW) chose this land because its king, the Negus (Najashi), was known for his justice and righteousness. [2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]
2. The Second Hijrah to Abyssinia (c. 616 CE)
- Participants: A much larger group of approximately 101 people (83 men and 18 women), led by Ja’far ibn Abi Talib (RA).
- Reason: Many of the first migrants had returned to Mecca after hearing false rumors that the Quraysh had converted to Islam. Upon finding the situation worse than before, they fled back to Abyssinia with a larger group to seek continued protection under the Negus. [4, 7, 12, 13, 14]
3. The Great Hijrah to Medina (622 CE)
- Participants: Nearly the entire Muslim community of Mecca, including the Prophet (SAW) himself and his close companion Abu Bakr (RA).
- Destination: Yathrib, which was later renamed Medina (“the City of the Prophet”).
- Significance: This migration was a pivotal turning point that marked the transition from a persecuted minority to the establishment of the first Islamic state. It was so critical that the second Caliph, Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA), designated this year as the start of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar. [2, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19]
Would you like to know more about the Constitution of Medina or the specific miracles that occurred during the journey to Medina?
[3] https://thekashmirimages.com
[10] https://www.manchesterisoc.com
[11] https://www.dar-alifta.org
[12] https://easterncrescent.net
[13] https://al-islam.org
[16] https://courses.lumenlearning.com
[18] https://brainly.in
[19] https://www.britannica.comIn Islam, Hijrat (or Hijrah) refers to the act of migration for the sake of God, specifically to escape religious persecution or to find a place where one can practice Islam freely. While the word literally means “migration” or “departure,” it carries a deep spiritual significance of leaving behind something harmful for a better, more righteous state. [1, 2, 3]
During the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), there were three major migrations undertaken by the early Muslim community: [4, 5]
1. The First Hijrah to Abyssinia (615 CE) [6]
- Participants: A small group of about 15 people (11 men and 4 women), led by Uthman ibn Affan (RA) and including the Prophet’s daughter Ruqayyah (RA).
- Destination: The Christian Kingdom of Aksum (modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea).
- Reason: To escape severe torture and persecution from the Quraysh tribe in Mecca. The Prophet (SAW) chose this land because its king, the Negus (Najashi), was known for his justice and righteousness. [2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11]
2. The Second Hijrah to Abyssinia (c. 616 CE)
- Participants: A much larger group of approximately 101 people (83 men and 18 women), led by Ja’far ibn Abi Talib (RA).
- Reason: Many of the first migrants had returned to Mecca after hearing false rumors that the Quraysh had converted to Islam. Upon finding the situation worse than before, they fled back to Abyssinia with a larger group to seek continued protection under the Negus. [4, 7, 12, 13, 14]
3. The Great Hijrah to Medina (622 CE)
- Participants: Nearly the entire Muslim community of Mecca, including the Prophet (SAW) himself and his close companion Abu Bakr (RA).
- Destination: Yathrib, which was later renamed Medina (“the City of the Prophet”).
- Significance: This migration was a pivotal turning point that marked the transition from a persecuted minority to the establishment of the first Islamic state. It was so critical that the second Caliph, Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA), designated this year as the start of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar. [2, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19]
Would you like to know more about the Constitution of Medina or the specific miracles that occurred during the journey to Medina?
[3] https://thekashmirimages.com
[10] https://www.manchesterisoc.com
[11] https://www.dar-alifta.org
[12] https://easterncrescent.net
[13] https://al-islam.org
[16] https://courses.lumenlearning.com
[18] https://brainly.in