The Honorable Prophetic Migration (Hijrah)

 

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

The occasion of the honorable prophetic migration is a significant milestone in the life of every Muslim, as it holds timeless meanings from which we can draw lessons and guidance. It illuminates the path to success and provides light for the good of this world and the Hereafter, especially given the exceptional circumstances that the Ummah (Muslim community) faces today, threatening its identity and aiming to undermine its foundations and endanger its most sacred sanctuaries.

The anniversary of the prophetic migration marks the eternal history that announced the birth of a divinely guided nation and the cornerstone in building a glory in which all members of society—migrants and supporters—participated with hard work and diligence, and with the spirit of brotherhood and cooperation. Allah The Almighty Says (What means): "(Some part is due) to the indigent Muhajirs, those who were expelled from their homes and their property, while seeking Grace from God and (His) Good Pleasure, and aiding God and His Apostle: such are indeed the sincere ones:- But those who before them, had homes (in Medina) and had adopted the Faith,- show their affection to such as came to them for refuge, and entertain no desire in their hearts for things given to the (latter), but give them preference over themselves, even though poverty was their (own lot). And those saved from the covetousness of their own souls,- they are the ones that achieve prosperity." [Al-Hashr/8-9].This unity was the reason for choosing this event as the starting point for the history of the Ummah, serving as an incentive to protect its achievements and a motivation to maintain its honor and dignity.

The honorable prophetic migration was the pivotal event that changed the course of history and mapped out a nation born from the womb of suffering after great sacrifices and endurance of harm. It serves as a reminder of one's identity and innate nature created by Allah and brings people back to the state of servitude that Allah intended for humanity, through a correct methodology based on wise planning.

The building of nations requires hands that build its glory with sincerity and determination. Therefore, the Muhajireen (The inhabitants of Mecca to accept Islam) and supporters (The first inhabitants of Medina to accept Islam Islam) declared it in their blessed city, and their hopeful, rejoicing voices announced a new beginning:

"If we were to sit idle while the Prophet works,

That would be, on our part, a misguided deed."

 

These few words chanted by the companions have profound meanings that reflected on the building of a nation on a solid foundation and unparalleled perseverance. Allah, the Exalted, could have transported the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) from Mecca to Medina in the blink of an eye, or even less, as occurred in the miraculous Night Journey and Ascension (Isra` and Mi`raj), which came to console the Prophet's heart. However, the building of nations does not rely on miracles, and their glory is not built on fleeting emotions or random reactions. Rather, it is a diligent work based on a genuine will, for which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his noble companions endured the severest forms of torture in their mission to guide people to the path of truth and faith.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) bore with patience the harm from blood relatives as well as others, enduring the hardship of a long journey through desolate deserts in search of fertile ground to plant the seeds of faith after the hearts of Mecca's people had turned into a hard, barren rock. The kinship ties between them and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) turned into estrangement and enmity.

Yet, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not lose hope in finding receptive hearts. He sought them in the land of Yathrib (Medina), which became blessed and illuminated by his presence. He moved from a town where people pursued him with swords to a town where its people greeted him with drums, beginning his mission to spread goodness and virtue, accompanied by a group of sincere believers who supported and aided him.

This journey was accompanied by sound planning, a correct method of thinking, organizing efforts, and utilizing capabilities to achieve success. This is what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did on this blessed journey. He took all necessary measures, such as preparing the mount, changing the route, employing a guide in the desert, and seeking refuge in the Cave of Thawr. However, these measures alone needed the support, success, and assistance of Allah, The Almighty. This reliance on Allah is evident when the polytheists discovered his hiding place in the Cave of Thawr, despite taking all protective measures. Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (May Allah Be Pleased with him) said: "If one of them were to look under his feet, he would see us." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) reassured him with the confidence of one who trusts his Lord, saying: "O Abu Bakr, what do you think of two people with whom Allah is the third?" Allah The Almighty Says in the Quran (What means): "If ye help not (your leader), (it is no matter): for God did indeed help him, when the Unbelievers drove him out: he had no more than one companion; they two were in the cave, and he said to his companion, "Have no fear, for God is with us": then God sent down His peace upon him, and strengthened him with forces which ye saw not, and humbled to the depths the word of the Unbelievers. But the word of God is exalted to the heights: for God is Exalted in might, Wise." [At-Tawbah/40].

The blessed Hijrah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) indeed demolished the worship of idols and polytheism in Al-Medina, turning a page in the city's history filled with ignorance and conflicts fueled by the Jews of Al-Medina. The Prophet (peace be upon him) established a society whose pillars were love and brotherhood among people. He made religious ties stronger than those of blood and lineage, so that believers would understand that they are one nation and one body. When one part of the body aches, the rest of the body responds with vigilance and protection. This reality must remain present in the consciousness of the Ummah to ensure its strength and dignity.

In the current circumstances facing our Ummah today, we learn from the noble Hijrah that safeguarding sacred values requires diligent effort. The enemies of the Ummah, who confronted the Prophet (peace be upon him) in Al-Medina, including the Jews and hypocrites, continue their attempts to undermine the identity and civilization of the Ummah. They target its sanctities and seek to dismantle its foundations, using similar methods and strategies despite changes in time, place, and faces.

Therefore, it is crucial for Muslims to be aware of the imminent danger surrounding our Ummah and to make the noble meanings of the Hijrah a key to confronting these challenges. This can be achieved through Muslim unity. With sound planning and diligent work, just as the Prophet (peace be upon him) did, this Ummah will remain a strong force against these challenges, fulfilling the Prophet's (peace be upon him) words: "Give glad tidings to this Ummah of strength, honor, victory, and establishment on the earth. Whoever among them performs deeds for the Hereafter with a worldly intention will have no share in the Hereafter." [Musnad Imam Ahmad]. 

All praise is due to Allah, The Lord of The Worlds.