Hijirah To Medinah JSS2 Islamic Studies Lesson Note

 HIJRAH TO MADINAH

Hijrah means “migration” or “journey” in Arabic. In Islamic history, the Hijrah refers to the migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his followers from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE. This journey was not just a physical move from one city to another. It was a turning point in Islamic history that marked the beginning of the Islamic calendar and the establishment of the first Islamic community.

Background: Life in Makkah Before Hijrah

Before the Hijrah, Prophet Muhammad and the early Muslims faced many difficulties in Makkah:

Opposition from Quraysh Leaders

The leaders of Makkah, who were from the tribe of Quraysh, strongly opposed the message of Islam for several reasons:

1. Economic Concerns: The Kaaba in Makkah housed many idols, and pilgrims who came to worship these idols brought business to Makkah. The leaders feared that Islam, which rejected idol worship, would harm their economy.
2. Social Status: Many Quraysh leaders enjoyed high positions in Makkan society. They feared losing their power and influence if people accepted Islam, which taught that all humans are equal.
3. Tribal Pride: Some rejected Islam simply because they did not want to follow Muhammad, whom they had known as an ordinary person among them.

Persecution of Muslims

The Quraysh used many tactics to stop the spread of Islam:

1. Mockery and Insults: They called the Prophet “madman,” “poet,” or “sorcerer.”
2. Physical Abuse: Many Muslims were beaten, tortured, or forced to lie on the hot desert sand at midday.
3. Economic Boycott: For three years, the Quraysh imposed a harsh boycott on the Prophet’s clan (Banu Hashim). They refused to buy from them, sell to them, or marry with them. This caused extreme hardship.
4. Murder Attempts: They tried several times to kill the Prophet.

Early Migration to Abyssinia

Because of this persecution, some Muslims had already migrated to Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia) around 615 CE. The Christian king there, known as the Negus, gave them protection and refused to return them to the Quraysh despite being offered valuable gifts.

The Invitation from Madinah

In the 11th year of prophethood (around 620-621 CE), a turning point came when some people from Yathrib (later renamed Madinah) met the Prophet during the Hajj season:

First Meeting at Aqabah

Six men from the tribes of Aws and Khazraj in Yathrib met the Prophet during Hajj. They had heard about him from Jewish tribes living in Yathrib who had been expecting a prophet. These men accepted Islam and promised to spread the message in Yathrib.

Second Meeting at Aqabah

The following year, twelve men from Yathrib came and pledged allegiance to the Prophet. This is known as the First Pledge of Aqabah. They promised to:

• Not worship anyone but Allah
• Not steal
• Not commit adultery
• Not kill their children
• Not lie
• Obey the Prophet in good things

The Prophet sent Mus’ab ibn Umayr with them to teach Islam in Yathrib.

Third Meeting at Aqabah

In the 13th year of prophethood, 73 men and 2 women from Yathrib met the Prophet secretly at Aqabah during Hajj. They made the Second Pledge of Aqabah, promising to:

• Protect the Prophet as they would protect their own families
• Support him against any enemy
• Follow him in prosperity and hardship

This pledge opened the door for the Hijrah (migration) to Yathrib.

Permission to Migrate

After the Second Pledge of Aqabah, the Prophet received permission from Allah to migrate to Yathrib. He instructed his companions to leave Makkah in small groups without attracting attention. Within two months, almost all Muslims had left Makkah except for:

• The Prophet himself
• Abu Bakr
• Ali
• Some family members
• Muslims who were too weak or captured

The Plot to Kill the Prophet

When the Quraysh realized that Muslims were leaving for Yathrib, they feared the Prophet would establish a base there and return to threaten Makkah. Their leaders met in Dar al-Nadwah (their council house) and decided to kill the Prophet. They planned to:

• Select one young man from each tribe
• All attack the Prophet together with their swords
• Share the guilt so that the Prophet’s clan could not seek revenge against any one tribe

Allah informed the Prophet of this plot through Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) and commanded him to leave Makkah.

The Journey Begins

Preparations

1. The Prophet’s Plan: The Prophet asked Ali to sleep in his bed that night to fool the assassins, while he would escape with Abu Bakr.
2. Provisions and Transport: Abu Bakr prepared provisions and hired Abdullah ibn Urayqit, a non-Muslim but trustworthy guide, to lead them to Madinah.
3. The Cave of Thawr: Instead of heading north toward Madinah, they went south to hide in the Cave of Thawr, about 5 miles from Makkah.

The Night of Migration

1. The Prophet left his house while the assassins were waiting outside. He threw dust on their heads and recited verses from Surah Yasin (36:9), and Allah took away their sight temporarily so they did not see him.
2. The Prophet went to Abu Bakr’s house, and they left Makkah under the cover of darkness.
3. Ali stayed in the Prophet’s bed. In the morning, when the assassins stormed in, they were shocked to find Ali instead of the Prophet.

The Cave of Thawr

The Prophet and Abu Bakr hid in the Cave of Thawr for three nights. During this time:

1. Close Call: The Quraysh search parties came so close to the cave that Abu Bakr could see their feet. He whispered to the Prophet, “If one of them looks down at his feet, he will see us!” The Prophet calmly replied, “What do you think of two people with whom Allah is the third?” This incident is mentioned in the Quran (9:40).
2. Divine Protection: Allah protected them in several miraculous ways:
   1. A spider spun a web over the cave entrance
   2. Two pigeons built a nest and laid eggs at the entrance
   3. A tree grew that wasn’t there before When the pursuers saw these signs, they concluded no one had entered the cave recently.
3. Support Network: Abdullah, Abu Bakr’s son, would listen to the Quraysh plans during the day and bring news to the cave at night. Asma, Abu Bakr’s daughter, would bring food. Amir ibn Fuhayrah, Abu Bakr’s shepherd, would bring sheep to the cave to provide milk and erase the footprints with the sheep’s tracks.

The Journey to Madinah

After three days, when the search had died down, they started their journey to Madinah:

1. Changing Routes: They took an unusual coastal route instead of the direct northern path to avoid pursuers.
2. Suraqah’s Pursuit: A man named Suraqah ibn Malik heard about the 100-camel reward for capturing the Prophet. He tracked them down, but each time he approached, his horse’s legs sank into the sand. After the third time, he realized this was divine protection. He asked for forgiveness and the Prophet forgave him. The Prophet even predicted that one day Suraqah would wear the bracelets of the Persian emperor Khosrow, which came true years later during Umar’s caliphate.
3. Umm Ma’bad’s Tent: They stopped at the tent of an old woman named Umm Ma’bad. She had a weak goat that gave no milk, but when the Prophet touched its udder, it gave plenty of milk. This miracle led Umm Ma’bad and her household to accept Islam.

Arrival at Quba

The Prophet first arrived at Quba, a village on the outskirts of Madinah, where he stayed for a few days:

1. First Mosque: He established the first mosque in Islamic history at Quba. The Quran praises this mosque as “founded on righteousness” (9:108).
2. Waiting for Ali: He waited for Ali, who had stayed behind in Makkah to return the valuables that people had entrusted to the Prophet for safekeeping.
3. First Friday Prayer: The Prophet led the first Friday prayer in the valley of Ranuna during his stay at Quba.

Grand Entry into Madinah

After a few days at Quba, the Prophet entered Madinah:

1. Warm Welcome: The people of Madinah came out to welcome him, singing: “The full moon has risen upon us, From the valley of Wada, Thanks is due upon us, As long as a caller calls to Allah.”
2. Competing Invitations: Each family wanted the honor of hosting the Prophet. To avoid disappointing anyone, he announced, “Let the camel proceed freely, for it is commanded (by Allah).”
3. The Prophet’s Camel: His camel stopped at a piece of land owned by two orphans. This became the site of his mosque (Masjid al-Nabawi) and home.

Immediate Actions in Madinah

Upon settling in Madinah, the Prophet took several important steps:

1. Building the Mosque: His first project was building Masjid al-Nabawi, which served as:
   1. A place of worship
   2. An educational center
   3. A community center
   4. A seat of government
2. Brotherhood System: He established a unique brotherhood system pairing each Muhajir (immigrant from Makkah) with an Ansar (helper from Madinah). The Ansar shared their wealth, homes, and even offered to share their inheritance with their Muhajir brothers.
3. Treaty with Jews: He established a constitution (Sahifah al-Madinah) that:
   1. Recognized Madinah as a single community
   2. Guaranteed religious freedom for Jews
   3. Set rules for mutual defense
   4. Established the Prophet as the final judge in disputes

Significance of the Hijrah

The Hijrah was more than just a journey. It had profound significance:

1. Beginning of the Islamic Calendar

Umar ibn al-Khattab, the second caliph, established the Islamic calendar starting from the year of Hijrah (622 CE).

2. Formation of the First Islamic State

In Madinah, Muslims could practice their religion freely and establish a society based on Islamic principles.

3. Spread of Islam

From the base in Madinah, Islam spread throughout Arabia and eventually worldwide.

4. Test of Faith

The migration tested the Muslims’ willingness to sacrifice worldly possessions for their faith. The Muhajiroon (migrants) left their homes, wealth, and sometimes families for the sake of Allah.

5. Strategic Lesson

The Hijrah demonstrates the importance of strategic planning, patience, and trust in Allah. The Prophet used both human effort (careful planning) and divine help.

6. Spiritual Journey

The physical journey from Makkah to Madinah symbolizes the spiritual journey from darkness to light, from disbelief to belief, and from oppression to freedom.

Lessons from the Hijrah

The Hijrah teaches us many important lessons:

1. Faith Requires Sacrifice

The early Muslims gave up comfort, wealth, and homeland for their faith.

2. Trust in Allah with Action

The Prophet trusted in Allah but also took all necessary precautions and made careful plans.

3. Importance of Companions

The Prophet’s journey shows the value of good companions. Abu Bakr’s support was crucial.

4. Facing Hardship with Patience

Despite dangers and difficulties, the Prophet remained calm and patient.

5. Building Community

The first actions in Madinah focused on building a united community through the mosque, brotherhood system, and constitution.

6. Turning Points in Life

Just as the Hijrah was a turning point in Islamic history, personal “hijrahs” (positive changes) can transform our lives.

7. Migration from Sin to Virtue

The Prophet said, “A Muslim is one from whose tongue and hand other Muslims are safe, and a Muhajir (migrant) is one who migrates from what Allah has forbidden.” This shows that spiritual migration from sin to virtue is an ongoing duty.

Conclusion

The Hijrah to Madinah marks one of the most important events in Islamic history. It demonstrates how faith, courage, careful planning, and divine help can overcome seemingly impossible challenges. The small group of believers who made this journey eventually changed the course of world history, establishing a faith and civilization that continues to influence the world today.

For Muslims, the Hijrah is not just a historical event to remember but a powerful example to follow in their own lives. It teaches that sometimes one must leave behind what is harmful and migrate toward what is beneficial for one’s faith and well-being. The Hijrah reminds Muslims that even in the darkest times, with faith in Allah and proper effort, there is always hope for a brighter future.