The Hijra, or [migration](/dashboard/wiki/al-muhajirun), of [Prophet Muhammad](/dashboard/quran/genealogy/prophet-muhammad) and his followers from [Mecca](/dashboard/wiki/the-conquest-of-mecca-fath-makkah) to [Medina](/dashboard/wiki/al-ansar-the-helpers) in 622 CE is one of the most significant events in [Islamic history](/dashboard/wiki/saba-sheba-and-the-queen-bilqis). It marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar (1 AH) and the establishment of the first Muslim community under the Prophet's leadership. This migration was not merely a physical relocation but a transformative moment that shaped the political, social, and religious trajectory of Islam.
## Background and Causes of the Hijra
The Hijra was precipitated by escalating persecution of Muslims in [Mecca](/dashboard/wiki/the-conquest-of-mecca-fath-makkah). The [Quraysh](/dashboard/quran/genealogy/fihr-ibn-malik) tribe, dominant in Mecca, opposed the Prophet's message, leading to social and economic sanctions. One of the earliest severe measures was the Quraysh boycott of the Banu Hashim clan, which lasted for about three years, causing great hardship. The Year of Sorrow, marked by the deaths of the Prophet's beloved wife Khadijah and his uncle and protector [Abu Talib](/dashboard/quran/genealogy/abu-talib), further intensified the Prophet's vulnerability and the community's plight. These events made the continuation of the Muslim mission in Mecca increasingly untenable (Quran 9:40).
## The Pledges of Aqaba
Before the [migration](/dashboard/wiki/al-muhajirun), the Prophet established important alliances with the people of Yathrib (later [Medina](/dashboard/wiki/al-ansar-the-helpers)) through the Pledges of Aqaba. These were two separate meetings where representatives from Yathrib pledged their support to [Muhammad](/dashboard/quran/genealogy/muhammad), promising to protect him and the Muslims. This political and social support was crucial in providing a safe haven for the Muslims fleeing Meccan persecution and set the stage for the migration.
## Companions and Key Figures in the Hijra
[Abu Bakr](/dashboard/quran/genealogy/al-humaydi), a close companion and trusted friend of the Prophet, played a vital role in the Hijra. He accompanied [Muhammad](/dashboard/quran/genealogy/muhammad) on the perilous journey from [Mecca](/dashboard/wiki/the-conquest-of-mecca-fath-makkah) to [Medina](/dashboard/wiki/al-ansar-the-helpers), providing support and protection. Their companionship during the [migration](/dashboard/wiki/al-muhajirun) is a significant episode in Islamic tradition, symbolizing loyalty and [faith](/dashboard/wiki/tawakkul-reliance-on-allah). The Prophet's reliance on Abu Bakr also highlights the importance of trusted companionship in the early Muslim community.
## The Journey: From Mecca to Medina
The [migration](/dashboard/wiki/al-muhajirun) began with the Prophet and [Abu Bakr](/dashboard/quran/genealogy/al-humaydi) secretly leaving [Mecca](/dashboard/wiki/the-conquest-of-mecca-fath-makkah) to avoid capture by the [Quraysh](/dashboard/quran/genealogy/fihr-ibn-malik). They took refuge in the Cave of Thawr for three days, hiding from pursuers. The Quran references this event, emphasizing divine protection during this critical moment (Quran 9:40). During their journey, they were pursued by Suraqah ibn Malik, a Quraysh horseman, but he was miraculously prevented from capturing them. The travelers first arrived at Quba, where the Prophet established the Quba Mosque, the first mosque in [Islamic history](/dashboard/wiki/saba-sheba-and-the-queen-bilqis), before proceeding to [Medina](/dashboard/wiki/al-ansar-the-helpers).
## Arrival and Settlement in Medina
Upon arrival in [Medina](/dashboard/wiki/al-ansar-the-helpers), the Prophet was warmly received by the Ansar (the local supporters). This marked the beginning of a new phase for the Muslim community, transitioning from a persecuted minority to a politically empowered group. The [migration](/dashboard/wiki/al-muhajirun) facilitated the establishment of the first Islamic state, with the Prophet as both spiritual and political leader. The social and political structures laid down in Medina became foundational for the spread of Islam.
## The Hijra and the Islamic Calendar
The Hijra is so significant that it marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar, known as the Hijri calendar. The year of the [migration](/dashboard/wiki/al-muhajirun), 622 CE, is designated as 1 AH (Anno Hegirae, 'in the year of the Hijra'). This calendrical system underscores the centrality of the Hijra in Islamic identity and history, symbolizing a new era of [faith](/dashboard/wiki/tawakkul-reliance-on-allah), community, and governance.