Islam has a long history and a big impact in changing the world. It was due to one of the biggest event happened during the early rise of Islam, the Hijrah. Hijrah, Hijrath, or Hegira is a journey of Muslims led by Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Mecca to Medina in year 622. Hijrah happened after the Prophet (SAW) received a warning about an assassination plotted toward him.
The Prophet secretly left Mecca and migrated to Medina (at the time named Yahrib), distanced 320 km north of Mecca along Abu Bakr as his companion. As one of the most important events in islam, here are the importance of Hijrah in Islam every Muslim should know.
1. It Marks the Perseverance of the Prophet (SAW)
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) never gave up in spreading Islam through his da’wah. But as we know, the early Islam history is not smooth at all. The Prophet was being pushed away here and there, and sometimes even called crazy and unreasonable. Hijrah showed how persevered our Prophet was to spread the good of Islam, so he left Mecca to Medina to expand his da’wah.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is instructed to put spiritual and emotional distance between him and the disbelievers, though he must not do so grudgingly. He must deal with them kindly and mercy, at all times. Then, dissociate himself from them in a dignified manner. God tells him, “And have patience with what they say, and leave them with noble (dignity)” (Quran 73:10).
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2. It Highlighted the Difficulties of Early Muslims
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was forced to leave his home in Mecca after the death threat. A plot to assassinated the Prophet was planned by the Quraisy, but luckily our Prophet made it safely. Knowing the fact that the Prophet even received death threat make us realize how difficult the live of the early Muslims was.
3. It Marks the Beginning of Hijri Calendar
Islam nowadays has its own Islamic calendar to determine the Ied al-Fitr, the Ramadan months, the Hajj period, and many other Islamic events. The month start with Muharram and ended with Dhu al Hijjah. The beginning of the Islamic calendar was after the Hijrah occurred. It was made by Umar ibn Al-Khattab and continued until today.
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4. The Justice and Peace Established After Hijrah
The nucleus Islamic state was first formed at Medina after Hijrah. It has become the first Islamic community in the world. Therefore, the Islamic laws and justice was established, and become the guide of living for Muslim until this day.
5. It’s a Milestone in Islam History
Many things changed after the event of Hijrah. As a Muslim, we should follow the Sunnah that the Prophet did. Hijrah nowadays doesn’t necessarily mean that we have to continually migrates here and there. Hijrah means we have to move from the bad deeds to the good deeds, moving from the low state of iman to the higher one.
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6. It Shows that Hope Always Arise in Difficult Times
All of the Prophet followers and even the Prophet himself fell into poverty after Hijrah. The Quraisy got hold of all their properties and belongings in Mecca. Thus, the Prophet and his followers left Mecca empty handed. But they have the hope and faith in Allah SWT during the difficult times. Never shaken by anything, even when they had nothing.
7. It is an Event that Unites Every Muslim
During the Hijrah, every Muslim from different background and class united, and also formed the brotherhood between Muhajirun and Ansar. Hijrah displayed the harmony and equality to all Muslims, as they were brothers and helped each other because of Allah SWT and Islam.
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8. It Marks the Beginning of an Islamic State
The da’wah of the Prophet was done underground in Mecca. The Quraisy ruled everywhere and they opposed the presence of Islam strongly. But in Medina, the Prophet da’wah expand, not only to a small group like he did in Mecca, but to a bigger community.
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9. It Marks Islam Liberation from Racism
Islam had always been an underdog when it first arise. The Prophet faced many difficulties in spreading Islam and asking people to join him. However, many good things came after the Hijrah to Medina, as Islam finally liberated itself from the cruelty and racism in Mecca.
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10. It Brought Stability to the Society
Unlike what had happened in Mecca, Medina welcomed Islam with an open hand. Medina was initially called Yahrib. But after the arrival of the Prophet, it renamed to Madinat an-Nabi or the City of the Prophet.
11. It Has a Great Impact to the Civilization
Islam had transitioned from an act of worship to a way of life. The politics, economy, and social interaction was established and Islam is viewed as comprehensive religion up to this day.
When angels take the souls of those who die in sin against their souls, they say: “Indeed, those whom the angels take [in death] while wronging themselves – [the angels] will say, “In what [condition] were you?” They will say, “We were oppressed in the land.” The angels will say, “Was not the earth of God spacious [enough] for you to emigrate therein?” For those, their refuge is Hell – and evil it is as a destination” (Quran 4:97).
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12. It Marks Islam Transition
The da’wah to spread Islam is not only done individually from person to person, but become more organized. The institutionalized da’wah was initiated at the time.
“And those who emigrated for the cause of God and then were killed or died – God will surely provide for them a good provision. And indeed, it is God who is the best of providers. He will surely cause them to enter an entrance with which they will be pleased, and indeed, God is Knowing and Forbearing” (Quran 22:58-9).
13. It Changes Muslim from Small Community to a Regional Power
The initial da’wah only focused on the Quraisy and tribes around Mecca. After the Hijrah Islamic State began to spread across Arab Peninsula.
“Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female; you are of one another. So those who emigrated or were evicted from their homes or were harmed in My cause or fought or were killed – I will surely remove from them their misdeeds, and I will surely admit them to gardens beneath which rivers flow as reward from God, and God has with Him the best reward” (Quran 3:195).
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14. It Shows the Transition of Da’wah
The Islamic development progressed very fast after the Hijrah. The Islamic state began to formed in Persia, Egypt, an Byzantine Empire.
“Those who believed and those who suffered exile and fought (and strove and struggled) in the path of God,- they have the hope of the Mercy of God. And God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful “ (Quran 2:218) and, “Then, indeed your Lord, to those who emigrated after they had been compelled [to renounce their religion] and thereafter fought [for the cause of God] and were patient – indeed, your Lord, after that, is Forgiving and Merciful” (Quran 16:110).
15. It’s the Initial Form of Islamic State
Islam established its own rule and way of living. It later become the foundation for the Islamic state.
The ones who have believed, emigrated and striven in the cause of God with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of God. And it is those who are the attainers [of success]. Their Lord gives them good tidings of mercy from Him and approval and of gardens for them wherein is enduring pleasure. [They will be] abiding therein forever. Indeed, God has with Him a great reward. O you who have believed, do not take your fathers or your brothers as allies if they have preferred disbelief over belief. And whoever does so among you – then it is those who are the wrongdoers” (Quran 9:20-22).
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After reading the importance of Hijrah is Islam, we become aware the hardships and difficulties our predecessors must faced to fight for Islam. As we now live in an easier state of situation, let’s never forget the hard work of the Prophet and his followers to fight for Islam. May the Prophet and all his followers be granted the highest place in Jannah.
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