When the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was leaving Makkah, heading to Madinah in the company of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr, he was on his she-camel, standing in Al-Hazwarah (a place in Makkah), and said:
‘By Allah, you are the best land of Allah, and the dearest of the land of Allah to me. By Allah, had I not been expelled from you I would never have left.’
Immigration was not a smooth journey for all the Muslims, and especially for the prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The disbelievers were determined to assassinate the messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and prevent him from spreading his message to other cities and tribes. Allah said in Surah Al-Anfal:30;
”And [remember, O Muhammad], when those who disbelieved plotted against you to restrain you or kill you or evict you [from Makkah]. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.”
وَإِذْ يَمْكُرُ بِكَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِيُثْبِتُوكَ أَوْ يَقْتُلُوكَ أَوْ يُخْرِجُوكَ ۚ وَيَمْكُرُونَ وَيَمْكُرُ اللَّهُ ۖ وَاللَّهُ خَيْرُ الْمَاكِرِينَ
Thus, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) took some measures to hide from them and to conceal their identities, until they reached Madinah safely. The Providence of Allah surrounded them, a divine care that transcended the material causes of this world. It was narrated that Hijrah journey lasted twelve days until the prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and Sayyidina Abu Bakr reached Madinah. In each step the prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) took, there is a lesson to be learned, and a virtue to be conveyed to people after more than 1400 years. The situation in Madinah between Al-Muhajirin and Al-Ansar (the emigrants and helpers) under the guidance and leadership of the Prophet Muhammad opens the door for researchers all over the world to learn about the unity in Islam and the practical application of one Ummah.
Brotherhood between Muhajir and Ansar
The arrival of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in Madinah marked a new chapter in the establishment of the Islamic state and the Islamic community. He started a genuine bond of brotherhood between Al-Muhajirin and Al-Ansar, this step was essential to eliminate the remnants of ignorance from the pre-Islamic era. There are certain facts that people may overlook, what the prophet Muhammad accomplished in Madinah is what the Islamic Ummah needs today. Abdur Rahman bin Auf said,
“When we came to Medinah as emigrants, Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) established a bond of brotherhood between me and Saad ibn Ar-Rabi. Saad ibn Ar-Rabi said (to me), ”I am the richest among the Ansar, so I will give you half of my wealth and you may look at my two wives and whichever of the two you may choose I will divorce her, and when she has completed the prescribed period (before marriage) you may marry her.” Abdur Rahman replied, “I am not in need of all that. Is there any marketplace where trade is practiced?’ He replied, “The market of Qainuqa.” Abdur Rahman went to that market the following day and brought some dried buttermilk (yogurt) and butter, and then he continued going there regularly. A few days later, Abdur-Rahman came having traces of yellow perfume on his body. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) asked him whether he had got married. He replied in the affirmative. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘Whom have you married?’ He replied, ”A woman from the Ansar.” Then the Prophet (ﷺ) asked, ”How much did you give her as a dowry?” He replied, ”(I gave her) a gold piece equal in weight to a date stone (or a date stone of gold)!” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ”Give a Walima (wedding banquet) even if with one sheep.” This story reminds us that the hearts are in the Hands of Allah, Allah said in Surah Al-Anfal:63
”And brought together their hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have brought their hearts together; but Allah brought them together. Indeed, He is Exalted in Might and Wise.”
وَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ ۚ لَوْ أَنفَقْتَ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا مَّا أَلَّفْتَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِهِمْ وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ أَلَّفَ بَيْنَهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
the hijirah from sin to obedience
One of the great lessons of Hijrah is leaving sin for obedience. When Muslims decided to immigrate to Madinaا, it was not only because of the oppression they endured, but also because worshiping Allah peacefully had become impossible in the society of Makkah. The tribe of Quraysh prevented Muslims from performing praying, reciting the Quran, and learning from one another and from the prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Therefore, immigration became inevitable. Hijrah carries a meaning far more comprehensive than merely leaving one’s homeland. Hijirah is as the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hands the Muslims are safe; and a Muhajir (Emigrant) is the one who refrains from what Allah has forbidden”.
It is the abandonment of disbelief for faith, and of bad deeds for good ones. Therefore, Hijrah remains possible for every believer within this broader meaning. A Muslim must abandon sins, environments, or even people who distance him from Allah. He should follow the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his companions and seek an environment that brings him closer to Allah and reminds him of the purpose of this life, and prepares him for the Day of Judgment
May Allah show us the truth as true, and inspire us to follow it. May Allah show us falsehood as falsehood, and inspire us to abstain from it.
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