The Hijrah — Migration to Madinah

Background

The Hijrah (هجرة) refers to the Prophet Muhammad's migration from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE, one of the most pivotal events in Islamic history. After thirteen years of preaching in Makkah, the Muslims faced severe persecution from the Quraysh. The Prophet had sent groups of Muslims to Abyssinia earlier, but the Hijrah to Madinah represented the establishment of the first Muslim community-state. The event was so significant that Umar ibn al-Khattab later chose it as the starting point for the Islamic calendar.

The Journey

The Quraysh plotted to assassinate the Prophet, assigning young men from each clan to strike simultaneously so that no single clan could be blamed. Ali ibn Abi Talib slept in the Prophet's bed as a decoy while the Prophet and Abu Bakr slipped away under cover of night. They hid in the Cave of Thawr for three days while the Quraysh searched for them. Allah sent a spider to spin a web and a dove to nest at the cave's entrance. Abu Bakr was anxious, but the Prophet reassured him: 'Do not grieve, indeed Allah is with us' (9:40).

Arrival in Madinah

The people of Madinah, the Ansar (Helpers), greeted the Prophet with songs and celebration. The Prophet established brotherhood (mu'akhah) between the Muhajirin (migrants from Makkah) and the Ansar, pairing each migrant family with a local family who shared their wealth and homes. This unprecedented act of solidarity laid the foundation for the Muslim community in Madinah.

The Constitution of Madinah

Shortly after arriving, the Prophet drafted the Constitution of Madinah (Sahifat al-Madinah), a document that established a multi-religious, multi-tribal polity. It defined the rights and responsibilities of Muslims, Jews, and other groups living in Madinah, establishing principles of mutual defense, religious freedom, and collective governance. Many scholars consider it one of the earliest written constitutions in history.