Hijrah

The Second Covenant of Aqabah was made in Dhil-Hajj, thirteenth year of Prophethood. Immediately after that Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) permitted his companions to migrate to Madinah from Makkah and elsewhere.

The people of Madinah opened their hearts, hearths and home for immigrant Muslim brothers and sisters and earned the coveted title of Ansar. The immigrants were called Muhajirin and looked upon with respect and dignity. They were immigrants to the call of Allah (Muhajir Ilallah). Within a short period of a few months everyone left Makkah except Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), Abu Bakr, Ali and those Muslims who could not migrate otherwise due to various obstructions or imprisonment.

At that time the Quraish realized the gravity of the situation and resolved a collective program to kill Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). At this juncture in Safar, the thirteenth year of Prophethood, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) directed Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) to migrate as Prophets cannot leave their place of Dawah on their own accord, come what may. They migrate only after receiving direct permission from Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). This is Allah's tradition for Hijrah for prophets. Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) with the companionship of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and Amir Bin Fahirah (may Allah be pleased with him) reached Madinah on the twelfth Rabiul Awwal at the age of 53.

The entire episode of Hijrah was very eventful. It sets a model to Muslims all over the world to migrate to a place where there are better prospects to practice, preach and establish the Deen of Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). The migration of Muslims to America today presents a parallel situation provided the Muslims reorient the objective of their stay in this country and live by the commitment which they have with their Creator, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). It will change their status in America and Allah will reward them for their efforts towards the spread of His Deen. The Rizq (providence) will come automatically to the extent allotted by Allah - nothing more nothing less.

With migration, the center of activities shifted from Makkah to Madinah. Muslims got a piece of land to prepare for onward on-slaught on Batil (Kufr). Hijrah to Madinah was made incumbent on every Muslim and Muslimah. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) had exhorted them forcefully to migrate, especially in Surah An-Nisa’ and Surah Al-Anfal. The objective was to concentrate the entire available manpower and resources of the Jama'at at one place, i.e., at Madinah. It generated the necessary strength to launch upon a ceaseless campaign against Batil, to carry out various missions for the spread of Dawah Ilallah to different tribes around Madinah and to arrange defensive/offensive on-slaughts against the idolaters - all to pave the way to eradicate the Batil from the position of power and to make Allah's Deen dominant in its place.