The Hijra: from Mecca to Medina

A new town. During the pilgrimage season, people from Yathrib, an oasis town to the north, met the Prophet ﷺ and accepted Islam. The next year they came back in greater numbers and pledged allegiance to him at 'Aqaba, near Mina: they promised to protect him if he came to them. The Muslims of Mecca then began leaving quietly for Yathrib.

The plot. The leaders of Quraysh decided to get rid of the Prophet ﷺ. On the chosen night, he left 'Ali sleeping in his bed, with the task of returning to people the belongings they had left with him: even his enemies still trusted him with their things. Then he left with Abu Bakr.

The cave of Thawr. Instead of taking the northern road straight away, they hid for three nights in the cave of Mount Thawr, south of Mecca. Asma', Abu Bakr's daughter, brought them food; she tore her belt in two to tie up the provisions, which earned her the nickname "the one with two belts". The pursuers came right up to the cave's entrance. Abu Bakr feared for the Prophet ﷺ and said: "If they looked down at their feet, they would see us." He replied: "What do you think of two people whose third is Allah?" (Bukhari 3653, Muslim 2381). The Qur'an recalls this moment: لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَنَا "Do not grieve, Allah is with us" (meaning of part of verse 9:40).

The arrival. After a long journey they reached Quba', at the edge of Yathrib, where the first mosque was built, then the town itself, where they were welcomed with joy. Yathrib took the name "the city of the Prophet", al-Madina. According to historians, this was in 622 CE. The Prophet ﷺ had then spent thirteen years calling to Islam in Mecca (Bukhari 3902).

The Hijri calendar. Later, under the caliphate of 'Umar, Muslims chose the year of the Hijra as the starting point of their calendar: it is year 1 AH.

What we take from it: the Hijra is both complete trust in Allah and careful preparation (the guide, the hiding place, the provisions). The two go together.

And you? Think of an important project for you (an exam, a goal): what are you concretely preparing, and how do you place your trust in Allah?

Understanding the lesson

Explanation The Hijra is not running away. It is a planned departure, decided so that people could live their religion and build a community. The word "hijra" means "leaving", "giving up". The Prophet ﷺ also gave it an inner meaning: "The emigrant (al-muhajir) is the one who gives up what Allah has forbidden." (Bukhari 10). So everyone can live a "hijra": leaving a bad habit for something better.

Look at the preparation: a loyal travel companion, a hiding place to the south while everyone searched to the north, provisions, news brought every day, and a guide hired for his knowledge of the routes, who was not a Muslim (Bukhari 2263 [À VÉRIFIER : numéro]). The Prophet ﷺ used every means. And when the pursuers reached the mouth of the cave, he showed complete trust: "Allah is with us."

One detail shows his honesty: before leaving, he had the goods entrusted to him returned, even to those who wanted to kill him. His integrity did not depend on how others treated him.

Finally, young people played a big part: 'Ali, who took his place in the bed, and Asma', who brought the food.

Lessons to draw from it • Trusting Allah does not replace preparation: we use the means, then rely on Allah. • We stay honest even with those who wrong us: returning what was entrusted to us is a duty. • We may ask for help from competent people, whatever their religion, when they are trustworthy. • Everyone can live their own "hijra" by leaving what Allah dislikes for what He loves.

Key points to remember • The Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr hid for three nights in the cave of Thawr. • Arrival in Medina in 622; the Hijra marks year 1 of the Hijri calendar. • "Do not grieve, Allah is with us" (meaning of part of 9:40).

The main message The Hijra joins trust in Allah with serious preparation: we do our best, and we know that Allah is with us.