7 Lessons and Morals from the Prophetic Hijrah
The events of the Prophetic Hijrah are not merely historical occurrences; they are a profound reservoir of guidance, resilience, and spiritual wisdom
The Hijrah, the historic migration of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the early Muslims from Makkah to Madinah in the seventh century, marked a decisive turning point in Islamic history.
It was a journey from persecution, oppression, and disbelief to a society founded on peace, security, justice, and faith. Beyond a physical relocation, the migration laid the foundation for the growth and spread of Islam, offering enduring lessons and timeless treasures of wisdom for generations to reflect upon.
The events of the Prophetic Hijrah (Migration) are not merely historical occurrences; they are a profound reservoir of guidance, resilience, and spiritual wisdom. From these events, we draw seven essential lessons:
- The Lesson of Sacrifice.
Every great mission demands a price, and the path to lasting success is paved with sacrifice. The Hijrah was defined by deep personal and communal sacrifice for the sake of the Divine message. The following examples illustrate this reality.
• The Prophet (peace be upon him): He was forced to leave the land where he was born and raised, and to leave his relatives and tribe. As he departed, he said with a tone of sadness: "By Allah, you are the best of Allah’s land, and the most beloved of Allah’s land to Allah; and were it not that I was driven out of you, I would not have left." (Sunan al-Tirmidhi)
• Umm Salamah: The first immigrant woman in Islam, she was forcibly separated from her husband (Abu Salamah) and her son (Salamah) by their respective tribes. She spent a whole year crying until they relented, allowed her to leave, and returned her son to her, after which Allah reunited her with her husband in Medina.
• Suhaib al-Rumi: When he wanted to migrate, the disbelievers of Quraish told him he could not leave with his money and his life. Suhaib asked, "What if I give you my wealth, will you clear my path?" They agreed, and he gave up his wealth. When this reached the Prophet (peace be upon him), he said: "Suhaib has profited." (Sahih al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah)
- Resilience:
Refusing to Despair Challenges may delay victory, but perseverance and faith keep the believer moving forward. The Prophet (peace be upon him) spent a long time in Makkah calling his people to guidance, enduring persecution, torture, and insults.
He sought alternative solutions, including going to Ta'if, where he was met with even harsher rejection and physical abuse. Despite being over fifty, he continued to present himself to the tribes during Hajj: "Is there a man who will take me to his people? For Quraish have prevented me from conveying the word of my Lord." (Sunan Ibn Majah) His movement was one of tireless effort, leading eventually to the Pledges of 'Aqabah and the establishment of the state in Madina.
- The Virtue of Companionship
No journey is too difficult when one is blessed with sincere and loyal companions. This was best exemplified by Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, whom many scholars link to the verse: "And the one who has brought the truth and [they who] confirmed it – those are the righteous." (Surah Az-Zumar, 39:33) When the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "I have been shown the place of your migration: it is a land of date palms between two lava plains." (Sahih al-Bukhari) Abu Bakr wept with joy upon being chosen as the Prophet's companion, demonstrating total devotion throughout their journey.
- Mastery of Planning and Resource Utilization
The Hijrah teaches us that true success is achieved through reliance on Allah, careful planning, and making the best use of every available resource. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) demonstrated that trust in Allah does not negate preparation; rather, it requires believers to combine faith with wisdom, effort, and strategic action.
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Below are examples of how the Prophet (peace be upon him) employed various means and resources during the Hijrah to ensure the success of the mission.
• Youth (Ali ibn Abi Talib): Tasked with sleeping in the Prophet’s bed to camouflage the departure and confuse the polytheists.
• Women (Asma bint Abu Bakr): She provided the provisions for the journey, tearing her waistband to tie the food bag, earning her the title Dhat al-Nitaqain (The One with the Two Waistbands).
• Children (Abdullah ibn Abi Bakr): A clever, quick-witted youth who would spend the night at the cave and return to Mecca by dawn to gather intelligence, delivering news to them under the cover of darkness.
• Logistics: The shepherd 'Amir ibn Fuhairah drove his flock over their tracks to erase footprints and provided them with fresh milk.
• Professionalism: The Prophet hired Abdullah ibn Uraiqit, a non-Muslim guide who was an expert in the terrain, proving that one should employ skilled, trustworthy people regardless of their background.
- Steadfastness and Comprehensive Solutions
True reform requires unwavering principles and the courage to reject easy compromises. The Prophet (peace be upon him) rejected all "patchwork" compromises, such as offers of wealth, kingship, or alternating worship. A true solution for the nation lies in full self-reliance and the shedding of intellectual, social, economic, and political dependency. As 'Umar ibn al-Khattab correctly observed, the Hijrah was the pivotal moment that "separated truth from falsehood."
- Intense Reliance on Allah (Tawakkul)
When human efforts reach their limits, reliance upon Allah opens doors beyond imagination. True victory belongs to those who trust in Allah. In the cave, when Abu Bakar feared they would be discovered, the Prophet (peace be upon him) replied: "What do you think, O Abu Bakar, of two whose third is Allah?" (Sahih al-Bukhari)
- The Deeper Meanings of Hijrah
The greatest migration is not merely from one place to another, but from disobedience to obedience and from heedlessness to faith. Below are examples of how the Prophet (peace be upon him) employed various means and resources during the Hijrah to ensure the success of the mission.
• Migrating from sins: Leaving what Allah has forbidden. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe, and the migrant (Muhajir) is the one who abandons what Allah has forbidden." (Agreed upon)
• Migrating from the sinful: Avoiding the company of those who persist in open transgression. Allah the Almighty says: "And be patient over what they say and avoid them with gracious avoidance." (Surah Al-Muzzammil, 73:10)
• The migration of the heart to Allah: Sincerity in intention, whether in private or public. The Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized: "Whoever's migration is to Allah and His Messenger, then his migration is to Allah and His Messenger..." (Agreed upon)
Sheikh Jamaludin Osman is the Imam of Jamia Mosque, Nairobi
