HIJRAH (Islamic New Year)

THE TURNING POINT 

The hijrah did not only reshape the Arabs socially & politically, but reshaped global civilizations. Throughout the history of Islam, the migration was a transitional line between the two major eras, regarding the message of Islam; the era of Makkah & Madinah. In essence, this signified a transition from one phase to another, as follows:


Transition from the position of weakness, where the non-believers of Makkah — particularly the people of Quraish — humiliated, tortured & killed Muslims, to the position of strength.

Transition from spreading Islam through individual Da'wah, to the spreading of Islam through institutionalized Da'wah, initiated by the state; The Muslim State began reaching out to Persia, Egypt, & the Byzantine Empire.

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

Transition from being a simple Islamic group of believers, to being the Islamic Ummah (nation). A phase in which Islam was not only an act of worship, but a way of life. This was all encompassing politics, economy, social interactions etc. This was the first time when Islam was looked upon as A COMPREHENSIVE RELIGION.The Quranic revelations also bore witness to this transition; verses revealed in Makkah concentrated on Tawheed (the Oneness of Allah) while verse revealed in Madinah covered rules regarding Islamic life in general.There is no doubt whatsoever that the migration of Prophet Muhammad (sallAllaahu ‘alayhiwasallam) to Madinah was the crucial event, which established the Islamic civilization. Hijrah no doubt, kindled the light of hope in the hearts of the early Muslims who set a shinning example for all Muslims, in every generation to emulate.

Hijrah, in essence is a process of transfer to a better situation. It does not mean to find a comfortable place where one would relax rather, it is a search for an environment more favourable to continuous & constructive effort. Immediately after reaching Madinah, the Prophet undertook the following all-embracing steps to establish a faithful & strong society.This is a significant aspect & important lesson to learn from Hijrah.

Masjid: The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhiwasallam) first established a Masjid (Mosque) for the worship of Allah. He assisted in carrying the stones & building that small, humble but most powerful structure. This was the beginning, but soon other Masaajid (mosques) were established around the world today.

Madrasah: The first school under the supervision of the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhiwasallam) was the school of Suffah in the masjid.

Mu'akhah:He established brotherhood on the basis of faith, not on the basis of tribes as they used to have prior to Islam; between the Muhajirun (Muslims who migrated from Makkah) & the Ansar (residents of Madinah who helped the Prophet & his Companions).

Intercommunity & Interfaith Relations: Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhiwasallam) also established good relations with other communities living in Madinah. There was a large Jewish community as well as some other Arab tribes who had not accepted Islam.The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhiwasallam) prepared a Mithaq (a covenant or a constitution) for relations between these communities.

Cleaning the City: Yathrib (previous name of Madinah) was a dirty city. When the Sahabah (Prophet's Companions) came from Makkah to Madinah, many of them got sick & did not like that city. The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhiwasallam) asked them to clean the city & remove its dirt & filth. `Aishah, (radiallahuaniah) said: “We came to Madinah & it was the most polluted land of Allah.The water there was most stinking. (Al-Bukhari).

Water System in the City: The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhiwasallam) asked the Sahabah to dig wells in different parts of the city. It is mentioned that more than 50 wells were opened in the city of Madinah & there was enough clean water for every-one.
Agriculture  & Gardening: The Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhiwasallam) encouraged the Sahabah to cultivate the land & make gardens. He told them that any-one who would cultivate any dead land, would own it. Many people started working & cultivating & soon there was enough food for every-one.

Poverty Eradication: In a short period of time it happened that there were no poor people in Madinah. Everyone had enough and the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhiwasallam) used to give gifts to coming delegations.

Safety, Security, Law & Order: Madinah became the safest city in the world. There were very few incidents of theft, rape, drunkenness or murder & they were immediately taken care of. In short, Hijrah teaches us that wherever Muslims go, they should bring goodness to that land. Muslims should work for both moral & material goodness of the society.

Allah, Most High, says in [9. At-Taubah, Verse 20-22]
20-The ones who have believed, emigrated and striven in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives are greater in rank in the sight of Allah . And it is those who are the attainers [of success].
21-Their Lord gives them good tidings of mercy from Him and approval and of gardens for them wherein is enduring pleasure.
22-[They will be] abiding therein forever. Indeed, Allah has with Him a great reward.
In physical terms, Hijrah was a journey between two cities about 200 miles i.e from Mecca to Madinah (622 CE).In its grand significance, it marked the beginning of an era, a civilization, a culture & a history for the whole mankind.

Islam progressed not only from the physical Hijrah, but because Muslims took Hijrah seriously in all its aspects & dimensions. Muslims chose Hijrah as the focal point to reckon their calendar during ‘Umar’s (radiallahuanihu) caliphacy. That was because a case was referred to Ameer al-Mu’mineen ‘Umar (ra) concerning a contract that one man had with another, saying that what he owed him became due in Sha‘baan.

'Umar said; Which Sha‘baan? The Sha‘baan of this year we are in now or of last year or of next year? Then, he summoned the Sahaabah & consulted them about adopting a calendar from which they could determine when debts became due and the likes.Some suggested adopting the Persian or the Byzantine calendar, birth of the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhiwasallam), beginning of his mission, his migration (Hijrah) or from his death. ‘Umar (ra) was inclined to choose the date of the Hijrah because it is a major landmark for Islam & it was well known when it occurred & they all agreed. The point is that they made the beginning of the Islamic calendar the year of the Hijrah, & they made the first month of the Islamic year Muharram, as was narrated from them.This is the view of the majority of imams, so that people could conduct their businesses on that basis, with no confusion.

[9. At-Taubah, Verse 36]
Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them.

-Muharram ("Forbidden"- it is one of the four months during which it is forbidden to wage war or fight)
-Safar ("Empty" or "Yellow")
-Rabia Awal ("First spring")
-Rabia Thani ("Second spring")
-Jumāda Awal ("First freeze")
-Jumāda Thani ("Second freeze")
-Rajab ("To respect" - this is another holy month when fighting is prohibited)
-Sha'ban ("To spread & distribute")
-Ramadan ("Parched thirst" - this is the month of daytime fasting)
-Shawwal ("To be light & vigorous")
-Dhul-Qa'dah ("The month of rest" - another month when no warfare or fighting is allowed)
-Dhul-Hijjah ("The month of Hajj" - this is the month of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, again when no warfare or fighting is allowed).