Salamun alaykum,
Hijra : the Migration :
On 1st Rabi Ul Awwal in the 13th year of B’ithat (Commencement of Prophets Mission) the Holy Prophet undertook Hijra from Makka to Yathrib, later renamed as Madinatun Nabi.
Hijra : a turning point :
The migration of the Holy Prophet was a crucial event as it was a turning point in Islamic history. When the Holy Prophet undertook the Hijra from Makka, he did not just transfer his residence or take shelter in another city, but as soon as he arrived in Madina he began the transformation of that city and undertook a process to establish a faithful community.
Some of the steps the Holy Prophet undertook were:
- Masjid : Construction of the Masjidun Nabi. He himself worked in carrying the stones for building that small, humble but most powerful structure which served as a focal point of all activities for the community.
- Madrasah : set up the first school.
- Muakhat : Establishing brotherhood on the basis of faith not on the basis of tribes as they used to have prior to Islam. A Muhajir (emigrant) was paired to the Ansar (helper) whereby the Ansar would share his wealth, property with the muhajir and help each other. This led to poverty eradication.
- Intercommunity and Interfaith Relations: There was a large Jewish community as well as some other Arab tribes in Madina who had not accepted Islam. The Holy Prophet established good relations with other communities living in Madina. An agreement known as Mithaq Al Madina (covenant/ constitution of Madina) was drawn to establish friendly relations between these communities. This was the first written constitution in the world.
- Water System: The Holy Prophet encouraged the muslims to dig wells in different parts of Madina. It is mentioned that more than 50 wells were dug in the city and there was enough clean water.
- Agriculture: The Holy Prophet urged the companions to cultivate the land and soon there was enough food for every one.
From the foregoing brief mention it can be seen that Hijra brought spiritual, moral and material goodness to the society.
We, as a community who have undertaken the process of hijra / migration either as students, refugees, employment, economic gain or in one way or the other, it is important for us to study and reflect on the things that the Holy Prophet did in Madina after Hijra so that wherever we go as muslims we should bring goodness to that land. Inshallah.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
With salaams and duas
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat
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Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat. Al Mahdi, Wickham Road, Fareham, Hampshire . PO17 5BU. Reg. Charity Number: 1010076. Tel: 01329 832537. Fax: 02392-529766
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.: Jamaat Web Site: www.almahdi.org.uk:
Project Web Site: www.almahdi.org.uk/almahdiproject
Member of the Council of European Jamaats
Member of Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat. Al Mahdi, Wickham Road, Fareham, Hampshire . PO17 5BU. Reg. Charity Number: 1010076. Tel: 01329 832537. Fax: 02392-529766
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.: Jamaat Web Site: www.almahdi.org.uk: Project Web Site: www.almahdi.org.uk/almahdiproject
Member of the Council of European Jamaats
Member of Mosques and Imams National Advisory Board