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The Hijra: A Pivotal Event in Islamic History

The Hijra, Prophet Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina, is a defining moment in Islamic history that led to the establishment of the first Islamic community. This event signified the shift of Islam from a persecuted faith to a structured religious and political entity, laying the foundations for the Islamic state in Medina. The Hijra also marks the beginning of the Islamic lunar calendar, emphasizing its lasting impact on Muslim identity.

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1

Hijra's significance in Islamic history

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Marks Prophet Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina, forming the first Islamic community.

2

Reason for Prophet Muhammad's Hijra in 622 CE

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To escape assassination plot in Mecca.

3

Outcome of the Hijra for Islam

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Transition from persecuted faith to structured religious-political entity.

4

Muhammad's advocacy for monotheism in ______, starting in ______ CE, was met with hostility from the ruling ______ tribe.

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Mecca 613 Quraysh

5

Consequences of Abu Talib and Khadijah's deaths for Muhammad

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Loss of protection and support, increased vulnerability in Mecca.

6

Muhammad's refuge offer from Yathrib

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Invitation from Yathrib's people, later Medina, promising allegiance and safety.

7

Reason for Yathrib's support to Muhammad

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Familiarity with monotheism, seeking to resolve internal conflicts.

8

The ______, Muhammad's journey to Medina, involved strategic planning and evading assassination attempts with Abu Bakr.

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Hijra

9

Significance of the Hijra

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Hijra marked Islam's transition to a political and religious force beyond Mecca.

10

Muhammad's reception in Medina

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Muhammad was warmly welcomed in Medina, indicating support for his mission.

11

Constitution of Medina

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Established rights for Muslims and other religious communities, structuring society.

12

Fazlur Rahman argued that Muhammad's teachings and the community's development experienced a ______ transition, not an abrupt one.

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complex

13

Significance of Hijra in Islam

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Marks transition from vulnerable movement to robust religious-political entity.

14

Early Muslim community resilience in Mecca

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Qur'anic verses sanctioned self-defense, reflecting community's defensive strength.

15

Monotheism advocacy pre- and post-Hijra

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Continued emphasis on monotheism despite shift towards organized political influence.

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The Hijra: A Defining Moment in Islamic History

The Hijra, from the Arabic for 'migration', is a seminal event in Islamic history, marking the Prophet Muhammad's migration from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE to escape a plot to assassinate him. This pivotal moment is not just a story of survival but signifies a strategic victory that led to the formation of the first Islamic community. The Hijra is so central to Islamic identity that it marks the commencement of the Islamic lunar calendar, highlighting its role as a transformative event that shifted Islam from a persecuted faith to a structured religious and political community.
Serene desert dawn with a camel caravan silhouetted against a pastel sky, traditional robed figures leading, and long shadows cast on rippled sand.

The Beginnings of Muhammad's Prophethood and the Lead-Up to the Hijra

The Hijra's roots are found in 610 CE when Muhammad received his initial revelations from the angel Gabriel while meditating in the Cave of Hira. These revelations, which would later be compiled into the Qur'an, initially caused him great anxiety. However, reassured by his wife Khadijah and her cousin Waraka ibn Nawfal, Muhammad accepted his prophetic mission. By 613 CE, he began publicly advocating for monotheism in Mecca, challenging the dominant polytheistic practices and addressing social injustices, such as the practice of female infanticide. His message antagonized the Quraysh tribe, the ruling elite of Mecca, who saw his growing influence as a threat to their power and the traditional social order.

Intensifying Opposition and the Quest for Refuge

As Muhammad's following expanded, the Meccan authorities' opposition escalated, leading to the persecution and even death of some Muslims by 615 CE. Muhammad arranged for a group of his followers to find sanctuary in the Christian kingdom of Ethiopia, known for its religious tolerance. However, the situation in Mecca deteriorated further following the deaths of Muhammad's protective uncle Abu Talib and his wife Khadijah. Deprived of their support, Muhammad became increasingly vulnerable, necessitating a search for a new safe haven. This came in the form of an invitation from the people of Yathrib (later known as Medina), who were acquainted with monotheistic traditions and offered Muhammad their allegiance.

The Calculated Migration to Medina

Aware of the perilous situation in Mecca and the prospects in Yathrib, Muhammad meticulously planned the migration of his followers to Medina, preceding his own departure. The Hijra was executed with careful planning, including the use of strategic decoys. Muhammad and his companion Abu Bakr skillfully evaded the assassination attempts, taking refuge in a cave before safely arriving in Medina. This migration was not merely an escape from persecution but a conscious effort to establish a new base for the flourishing of Islam.

Laying the Foundations of the Islamic State in Medina

Muhammad's arrival in Medina was met with a warm welcome, and it was here that the nascent Islamic state began to take shape. The Prophet's leadership transformed the community from a persecuted group to one with political autonomy and a structured society, complete with a constitution that governed the lives of Muslims and established the rights of other religious communities. The Hijra thus marked the transition of Islam into a significant political and religious force, with a mission that extended beyond the confines of Mecca.

The Hijra as the Inception of the Islamic Calendar

The Hijra's enduring significance in Islamic history was institutionalized by Caliph Umar in 639 CE when he inaugurated the Islamic calendar, with the Hijra as its epoch. This act underscores the event's profound impact on the collective Muslim identity. While the Hijra is often viewed as a clear demarcation between the Meccan and Medinan phases of Muhammad's life, scholars like Fazlur Rahman have pointed out that there were continuities in the Prophet's teachings and the community's evolution, suggesting a more complex transition rather than an abrupt break.

The Hijra: A Narrative of Continuity and Change

The Hijra is frequently depicted as a critical juncture that transformed Islam from a vulnerable movement to a formidable religious and political entity. However, this perspective may overlook the resilience and defensive capabilities of the early Muslim community in Mecca, as reflected in Qur'anic verses that sanctioned self-defense. The Hijra thus represents both a continuity in the advocacy of monotheism and a transition towards a more organized and politically influential community, challenging the simplistic dichotomy between the pre-Hijra and post-Hijra periods.