Hijrah and Muharram: A Historical Journey That Transformed Civilisation

The 1st of Muharram marks the beginning of the new year in the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, which commenced with the migration (hijrah) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD. This hijrah became a crucial turning point in Islamic history, signifying the widespread propagation of Islam during the Prophet’s era. This day also heralds the arrival of a noble month filled with recommended good deeds, specifically performed during this month. Although there is no prescribed day of worship for Muslims on 1 Muharram, Muslims can use it as a time to reflect on the journey and struggles of the Prophet Muhammad and the early Muslims.

The hijrah was carried out by the command of Allah as part of jihad and to perfect the religion of Islam. The migration to Medina allowed the Prophet Muhammad to establish a sovereign Islamic government so that Islamic propagation could flourish and Muslims could obtain better protection. At that time, rejection, intimidation, torture, and even death threats were increasingly intensified by the Quraysh tribe in Mecca against the Prophet Muhammad and his followers. Consequently, the security of the Muslims, who were still few in number, was increasingly threatened, compelling them to migrate to the city of Yathrib, which became the precursor to the city of Medina. The command to migrate, which Allah sent down for the Prophet and the Muslims of Mecca, meant that the Messenger of Allah and his companions had to leave their birthplace, their childhood city, as well as their close relatives and beloved families.

The event of the hijrah teaches the meaning of persistence and never giving up. All the rejection from the Quraysh did not simply dampen the Prophet Muhammad’s spirit; instead, it made him stronger and more persistent in his preaching. The hijrah also teaches the importance of meticulous planning to achieve success, with the main foundation being the appropriate, effective, and optimal use of resources. In the Prophet Muhammad’s hijrah, women played an important role, as narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) regarding herself and her sister Asma: ‘Then, we prepared provisions for him quickly and alertly. We made for both of them a Sufrah (a container for carrying food for a traveller) in a Jirab (a vessel for storing supplies). Then Asma bint Abu Bakr cut her waistband and tied it to the vessel. From that, she was named Dzatunnithaq (the one with the waistband).’ (Narrated by Bukhari no. 5807). Evidence of meticulous planning in the Prophet’s hijrah is also seen in several matters: A shepherd named Amir bin Fuhairah deliberately herded his animals through the cave route to erase the footprints of the Prophet and Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). He also gave the Prophet sheep’s milk to drink. The Prophet hired Abdullah bin Uraiqit, a trusted and professional polytheist, as a guide. Abdullah guided the Prophet and Abu Bakr through a route different from the usual path taken by others.

The month of Muharram is one of the four sacred months (al-ashhur al-hurum) in which warfare is forbidden and it is recommended to increase acts of worship and avoid sins. The meaning of Muharram is ‘forbidden’, referring to the fact that Muharram is one of the four sacred months where war is prohibited. The month of Muharram, as a marker of a new beginning, is an opportune moment to seek forgiveness for sins and mistakes committed in the past year, and then to introspect in order to become better in the new year. The 10th of Muharram is known as the Day of Ashura, which has special virtues. The Messenger of Allah recommended fasting on this day because it can expiate the sins of the previous year. The Ashura fast is recommended to be accompanied by fasting on the day before, the 9th of Muharram. This fast is an embodiment of gratitude for Muslims because Allah saved Prophet Moses from the pursuit of Pharaoh on this day. The Ashura fast is a recommended Sunnah practice that has the virtue of expiating the sins of the previous year. From Abu Qatadah, he said that the Messenger of Allah stated, ‘The fast of Arafah (9 Dhulhijjah) can expiate the sins of the past year and the coming year. The fast of Ashura (10 Muharram), I beseech Allah that this fast may expiate the sins of the previous year.’ (Narrated by Muslim no. 1162).