The Hijrah: Meaning, History and Lessons Today

What is the Hijrah? 

The Hijrah was the emigration of the Prophet (saw) and his followers to Madinah after being expelled from Makkah by the archenemy of Islam, Abu Jahl in 622 CE:

What does ‘Hijrah’ mean? 

The word ‘Hijrah’ (هِجْرَة) comes from an Arabic root meaning ‘to leave’, ‘to migrate’ or ‘to abandon’. In Islam, the Hijrah refers specifically to the Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) migration from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE to escape persecution and establish the first Muslim community. 

Why is the Hijrah important in Islam? 

The Hijrah is one of the most important events in Islamic history, but why? 

• This is when the Prophet (saw) and his followers became a fully-fledged Islamic community and later a state. This paved the way for hundreds of years of Islamic civilisation which spread across Asia, Africa and eventually into Europe. 
• It marked the end of years of relentless persecution of the early Muslims. In Madinah they were able to follow their religion freely and without fear of being tortured, harassed and ostracised.
• It united people across tribes. The Prophet (saw) helped reconcile long-standing tribal conflicts in Madinah between groups such as the Aws and Khazraj. He also created bonds between the migrants from Makkah (Muhajirun) and the helpers in Madinah (Ansar). This collective identity created an Ummah brought together by belief and shared principles, rather than divided across tribal and ethnic affiliations.   
• It was tawakkul in action. The early Muslims left their homes, their wealth and even family members behind in order to practise their faith freely. Not only was this a courageous act, but it showed their deep and sincere trust in Allah (swt) and His plan. 

Why does the Islamic calendar begin with the Hijrah?

The Hijrah is so significant that the Islamic calendar begins with this event. Hence its name, the Hijri calendar.  

This was established in the Khilafah of ‘Umar (ra) who gave the following reason for this decision, ‘The Hijrah separated between truth and falsehood, so date (the calendar) from it’ [Tabari]. It was chosen over other dates like the year of the Prophet's birth because it was such a pivotal turning point for the Muslim community.

The Hijri calendar is lunar, consisting of approximately 354 days, making it around 10–11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. Although the Hijrah itself took place in Safar and Rabi‘ al-Awwal, the calendar begins with Muharram, which was already recognised as the beginning of the lunar year in Arabia.

What does Hijrah mean for Muslims today? 

‘The Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe, and the Muhajir (migrant) is the one who abandons what Allah has forbidden.’ 

[Bukhari] 

For the modern Muslim community, the Hijrah is more than just a historical event. It is a legacy and a concept that Muslims still strive to embody today. Following the example of the Prophet’s Hijrah, Muslims are encouraged to move closer to Allah (swt) and distance themselves from anything harmful to their faith and relationship with God. This may be a spiritual journey or even a physical one if a Muslim feels their faith and way of life are being negatively affected by their environment or circumstances. 

What happened during the Hijrah?

The Hijrah journey from Makkah to Madinah included several important locations and events which demonstrated the Prophet’s patience, trust in Allah and leadership. And it all began in his hometown.

1. Makkah

‘The first House [of worship] to be established for people was the one at Bakkah (Makkah). It is a blessed place; a source of guidance for All people.’ 

[The Noble Qur’an, 3:96] 

Allah granted permission for the Prophet (saw) to leave Makkah. Other companions (ra) had already made the journey to al-Madinah and Muhammad (saw) was among the final groups to leave.  

The Hijrah began on the evening of Thursday, 26th Safar in the 1st year of the Hijrah, when the Prophet (saw) left his home that belonged to his beloved wife, Khadijah (ra) and headed towards the house of Abu Bakr (ra). 

On the way to the house of Abu Bakr (ra), the Prophet (saw) passed through the market of al-Hazwirah and said to Makkah, 

2. Cave of Thawr

The Prophet (saw) and Abu Bakr (ra) ascended Mount Thawr from the southern elevation. They remained in the cave for three days. Allah (swt) mentions this incident in the Noble Qur’an, [9:40]:

‘[It does not matter] if you (believers) do not support him, for Allah did in fact support him when the disbelievers drove him out (of Makkah) and he was only one of two (the Prophet (saw) and Abu Bakr (ra)). While they both were in the cave (of Mount Thawr), he reassured his companion, “Do not worry, Allah is certainly with us.” So, Allah sent down His serenity upon him (the Prophet (saw), supported him with forces you (believers) did not see, and made the word of the disbelievers lowest, while the Word of Allah is supreme. And Allah is Almighty, All-Wise.’ 

You can watch the video about this historic event here: 

3. Travelling towards the Red Sea

On the morning of Monday 1st or 5th Rabi‘ al-Awwal, the two companions headed west towards the Red Sea coast. They passed by Makkah’s sacred precinct boundary, al-Hudaybiyyah, where six years later a famous treaty would be made. 

Watch this explainer video about the Treaty of al-Hudaybiyyah:

4. The tents of Umm Ma'bad (ra)

They passed by and stopped at the tents of Umm Ma‘bad (ra) located on the western edge of the Valley of Qudaid. There was a drought at the time, and the Prophet (saw) milked an emaciated goat. He left plenty of milk behind and Abu Ma’bad (ra) later returned and asked his wife where the milk had come from. 

She told her husband that they had been visited by ‘a blessed man’ and gave him a vivid description of the Prophet (saw). They would both later follow the Messenger of Allah (saw) to al-Madinah and embrace Islam. 

Read Umm Ma'bad's full description of the Prophet (saw).

5. Meeting with the bounty hunter, Suraqah ibn Malik (ra) 

Seeking the bounty of one hundred camels, the expert Quraishi tracker, Suraqah ibn Malik (ra) nearly captured them in the Valley of Kulayyah. But the Prophet (saw) made du’as for protection and the legs of Suraqah’s horse kept sinking miraculously into the sand. Suraqah then promised to stop following them and put off any other trackers [Bukhari]. 

It is here that the Prophet (saw) said to him, ‘How will it be, O Suraqah, when you are wearing the bracelets of Kisra (the ruler of Persia)?’ Suraqah would eventually become Muslim eight years later at the Conquest of Makkah (20th Ramadan, 8 AH) and under the Khilafah of ‘Umar (ra), he would get to wear the bracelets of Kisra and fulfil this incredible prophecy! 

Did you know? The Devil disguised himself as Suraqah ibn Malik, the chief of Banu Kinanah, at the Battle of Badr as indicated in the Noble Qur’an, [8:48]:

‘And (remember) when Satan made their (evil) deeds appealing to them, and said, “No one can overcome you today. I am surely by your side.” But when the two forces faced off, he cowered and said, “I have absolutely nothing to do with you. I certainly see what you do not see. I truly fear Allah, for Allah is severe in punishment.”’ 

Caravan Stop at al-Juhfah 

The following verse was revealed here when the Prophet (saw) felt saddened about leaving his home:

Did you know? The Prophet (saw) prayed for the fever and disease in al-Madinah to be relocated to al-Juhfah, which sat outside the main population centre, as is mentioned in the following hadith: 

On the authority of ‘Aishah (ra) who said, ‘The Prophet (saw) said, “O Allah! Make us love al-Madinah as You made us love Makkah or more and transfer its fever to al-Juhfah. O Allah! Bless our Mudd (a dry measure equivalent to two handfuls) and our Sa‘a (a dry measure equivalent to four handfuls).”’

[Bukhari] 

This location is also the Miqat for pilgrims coming on ‘Umrah and Hajj from Syria or Egypt. 

They also passed by Mount Hamt, where the Prophet (saw) remarked, ‘Do you know what the name of this mountain is?’ They said, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, ‘This is Mount Hamt, it is one of the mountains of Paradise. O Allah! Bless us in it and bless its people!’ [Suyuti] 

7. Masjid Quba'

The Prophet (saw) stayed in the house of ‘Amr ibn ‘Awf (ra) for four days from 8th-11th Rabi‘ al-Awwal. Quba’ Masjid, located about four miles south of the Prophet's Masjid, was the first masjid ever built by the Prophet (saw). He stopped here on his way to al-Madinah, and he is the one who laid the first stone there.

Allah refers to this Masjid in the Noble Qur’an, [9:108], ‘… Certainly, a masjid founded on righteousness from the first day is more worthy of your prayers …’

It is Sunnah to visit this Masjid on a Saturday, walking or riding and the Prophet (saw) said, ‘Whoever purifies himself at his home and comes to Masjid Quba’ and offers one prayer therein, will have a reward like that for ‘Umrah (minor pilgrimage)’ [Ibn Majah]. 

You can learn more about this historic masjid in this video:

Did you know? 

Very close to Masjid Quba’ on the way to al-Masjid an-Nabawi you will find Masjid al-Jum‘uah. This Masjid is located around 2.5 km from al-Masjid an-Nabawi and marks the exact site where the Prophet (saw) led the first Jum‘uah prayer after he left Masjid Quba’ on a Friday during his Hijrah from Makkah to al-Madinah. Around 100 Muslims took part in this prayer. 

You can learn more about Masjid al-Jum'uah in this video:

8. Al-Madinah al-Munawwarah

The Prophet (saw) arrived in al-Madinah on 12th Rabi’ al-Awwal, and was welcomed by the people with joyous greetings and poetry, 

‘The full moon rose over us from the valley of Wada‘. And we owe it to show gratefulness. Where the call is to Allah. O you who were raised amongst us, coming with a word to be obeyed. You have brought to this city nobleness. Welcome, O Best caller to Allah’s way!’ 

[Al-Baihaqi] 

On the authority of Anas ibn Malik (ra) who said: 

Did you know? Many momentous occasions in the blessed life of the Prophet (saw) took place on a Monday as is seen in the following hadith: 

On the authority of Ibn ‘Abbas (ra) who said, 

‘The Prophet (saw) was born on a Monday, received revelation on a Monday, he migrated from Makkah to al-Madinah on a Monday, he arrived in al-Madinah on a Monday and raised the (Black) Stone on a Monday.’ 

[Ahmad]

You can find out more about the Messenger of Allah's arrival in al-Madinah here:

And there you have it. The migration which was so momentous that it marked the beginning of the Islamic year. 

Not only did this event mark the beginning of the Muslim Ummah as we know it, uniting tribes, classes and ethnicities around a shared purpose rooted in compassion, justice and belief, it also set an example for all Muslims of actively embodying the principles of one’s faith, even when that involves sacrifice. 

Despite the global nature of the Ummah today and the widespread use of the Gregorian calendar, the legacy of the Hijrah and the calendar it inspired continue to unite Muslims around the world. Through key Islamic dates and acts of shared worship, Muslims are reminded of their common ground and connection to one another despite their differences.