Hijrah (Hegira): the Migration That Founded the Islamic Calendar
Hijrah (also Hijra or Hegira) is the migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, a turning point that established the first Muslim community and marks year one of the Islamic calendar.
Overview
Hijrah (Arabic: هِجْرَة) commonly refers to the migration of the Prophet Muhammad and many of his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. That event is conventionally treated as the beginning of the Islamic era and the origin point for the Muslim community, or ummah. The word itself is an Arabic noun meaning "emigration" or "departure," and appears in English in variants such as Hijrah, Hijra, or the Latinized Hegira (Hegira).
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Context and causes
During the early years of the Prophet's mission, converts in Mecca faced social pressure and persecution. Increasing tensions and threats against the Muslim minority prompted leaders in the city later called Medina to invite the Prophet as an impartial arbiter. The migration was therefore both an escape from persecution and a strategic relocation that allowed the community to organize politically and religiously.
Journey and settlement
The migration was undertaken in stages by individuals or small groups before a larger, coordinated movement of the Prophet and his supporters. Upon arrival, the migrants established communal institutions, including a mosque and a framework for collective governance. A set of agreements and customary practices helped integrate the Muslim emigrants with the local inhabitants and allied tribes.
Consequences and significance
- The Hijrah marks year one of the Islamic calendar (Hijri calendar) and is a common reference point for Muslim historical chronology.
- It transformed the Muslim movement from a persecuted group into a community with political authority and social structures.
- It set precedents for law, intercommunal agreements, and communal worship practices that shaped later Islamic institutions.
Language, usage, and legacy
In Arabic, "hijrah" can mean any migration undertaken for religious reasons; in modern contexts the term is sometimes used metaphorically for spiritual or social departures. The Latinized form "Hegira" appears in older Western literature. The event is commemorated in histories, biographies, and religious calendars and remains a central reference for discussions about community formation, religious freedom, and the origins of Islamic polity.
Notable distinctions
While often described as a single event, the Hijrah encompassed multiple movements over time and produced legal and social consequences that outlasted the initial journey. It is distinct from other migrations in Islamic history by virtue of its role in founding the first unified Muslim polity and providing the epoch for the Islamic calendar.
Questions and answers
Q: What is Hijrah?
A: Hijrah is the word used for the migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622.
Q: When did Hijrah take place?
A: Hijrah took place in 622.
Q: What does Hijrah signify?
A: Hijrah signifies the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
Q: How is Hijrah spelled in the Latin alphabet?
A: Hijrah can be spelled in the Latin alphabet as Hijrah or Hegira.
Q: How is Hijrah related to the Islamic calendar?
A: The Hijrah is the event that marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.
Q: What is the alternate spelling for Hijrah in the Latin alphabet?
A: The alternate spelling for Hijrah in the Latin alphabet is Hegira.
Q: What does the term "withdrawal" mean in the context of Hijrah?
A: The term "withdrawal" in the context of Hijrah refers to the movement of Muhammad and his followers leaving Mecca for Medina.
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Author
AlegsaOnline.com Hijrah (Hegira): the Migration That Founded the Islamic Calendar Leandro Alegsa
URL: https://en.alegsaonline.com/art/44174