MEANING AND RELEVANCE OF HIJRAH

HIJRAH


Introduction

The process of migration was happened since the time of previous prophets. (Before ProphetMuhammad). Their goals and intentions were differed from one another as well as to ProphetMuhammad. Prophet Ibrahim (peace and blessing be upon him) emigrated, as related in the Qur‟an: (And Lot believed him, and said: Lo! I am a fugitive unto my Lord. Lo! He, only
He,is the Mighty, the Wise).

Thus, Prophet Ibrahim moved from one place to another place until he settled to a place known as Palestine and was buried there. Here we are going to discuss further in meaning of Hijrah, significance of Hijrah, aspects of Hijrah,types of Hijrah, why do people need Hijrah, the role of youth in migration events, Hijrah in historical perspective and Hijrah in modern day.

Meaning and relevance of Hijrah

The subjects that relevance to Hijrah are the meaning of Hijrah, aspects of Hijrah, types of Hijrah, the role of youth, Hijrah in historical perspective and Hijrah in modern day.

Meaning of Hijrah

Hijrah is one of the most important events in Muslim world as well as to ProphetMuhammad. Hij
rah was started since before Prophet Muhammad‟s time like as discussed before. Hijrah means migration. The Hijrah refers to the Prophet's migration from Mecca to Madinah. This journey took place in the twelfth year of his mission (622 C.E.). This is the beginning of the Muslim calendar. Sayyidina Umar is the pioneered of adopting Islamic Calender that used by all Islamic states.

By Islamic law the word Hijrah usually refers to leaving a place to seek sanctuary or freedom from persecution or freedom of religion or anyother purpose. Hijrah can also mean to leave a bad way of life for a good or more righteous way.

According to Sheikh Ahmed bin Yahya An-Najmee in his book “The Three FundamentalPrinciples” define Hijrah as to leave a place of non-believers and stay to a place of Muslims.It is make compulsory for everyone to perform Hijrah but the priority is given to those who are able to do it. For those who are weak, the women, and children are excused and could remain in that particular place.

Allah SWT says:"Except for the oppressed among men, women and children who cannot devise a plan nor arethey directed to a way (for hijrah). For those it is expected that Allah will pardon them, andAllah is ever Pardoning and Forgiving." (QS An-Nisaa', 4: 98-99).


The significance of Hijrah

The migration is a transitional era between Makkah and Madinah era. The transition of weakness to strength. In makkah, the Quraisy humiliated, tortured, and killing the Muslims.So from that point, they were ordered to defend themselves and defeat the non-believers whodisturb them from performing their religious duty.Besides, it is the transition from spreading Islam closely into publicly and so by establishing institutionalize da‟wah.

Transition from a position where Muslims represented a small group of people, surrounded by enemies and threatened by death, to the position of a regional power with a strong central leadership. This was one that was surrounded by a large number of followers and allies.

Transition of Da'wah from regionalism, in which the focus was only on Quraysh and the tribes surrounding Makkah, to the phase of universalism. This is where the Muslim State began reaching out to Persia, Egypt, and the Byzantine Empire.


Transition from being a simple Islamic group of believers, to being the Islamic nation. This was an organized Islamic state, with a central leadership and other organizations.Transition, which is most significantly for early Muslims, to the phase in which Islam was not only the act of worship, but a way of life. This was encompassing (surrounding) politics, economy, social interactions and every other aspect of life. This was the first time when Islam was looked upon as a comprehensive religion.

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