Hijrah: Strengthening the Commitment to Build Civilisation

As the Islamic New Year approaches, transitioning from 1447 H to 1448 H, this moment should be used as a means to strengthen the commitment to building a life based on the values of the Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) Hijrah. The event of the Hijrah is an indication of the truth of the Prophet’s teachings and a training ground for his followers. Through this process, they became capable of bearing the responsibility of leadership on earth. Allah chose Madinah as the place of Hijrah for the Muslims, as mentioned in the saying of the Prophet SAW, ‘The place of your Hijrah has been shown to me. I have seen a salty land with date palm trees located between two mountains in the Harrah.’ (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim).

The Hijrah of the Prophet SAW and the Muslims was not without reason. Several factors prompted the migration. Firstly, due to torture and pressure. As soon as the Prophet SAW conducted his da’wah openly, various threats were directed at him and the Muslims. Therefore, the Prophet SAW constantly thought about seeking protection outside Makkah, leading to the Muslims’ migration to Abyssinia, Thaif, and subsequently to Madinah. One of the causes was the torture and oppression of the Muslims by the Quraish disbelievers. Secondly, the presence of a force that would assist and protect the da’wah, allowing the Prophet SAW to preach freely. This is as stated in the text of the Second Bai’atul Aqabah, where the Ansar pledged to protect the Prophet SAW as they would protect their own children and wives. Thirdly, the Quraish leaders and the majority of Makkah’s society considered the Prophet a liar and did not believe him. Under these conditions, he wished to preach Islam to other communities who were willing to accept it. Fourthly, the Muslims feared that their religion would be slandered. When Aisyah was asked about the Hijrah, she said: ‘The believers in the past, they went away carrying their religion towards Allah and His Messenger because they feared being slandered.’ (Narrated by Bukhari).