26/06/2025
Hijrah: Beyond a Mere Celebration
Hijrah is not just a date on the Islamic calendar or an occasion to be marked with festivities. It represents a profound turning point in the history of Islam—one that reshaped not only the lives of the early Muslims but the trajectory of the entire Ummah.
Often in life, defining moments emerge from crises. For Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions, it was the severe persecution in Mecca that necessitated their emigration. This journey—known as the Hijrah—was not simply a relocation; it was a revolutionary movement that transformed Islam from a persecuted belief system into a powerful, thriving civilization.
The term Hijrah, derived from the Arabic root h-j-r, implies movement and transition. Historically, it refers to the migration of Muslims either to Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia) or more significantly, to Medina in 622 CE. While many today emphasize its personal or spiritual dimensions, Hijrah carries broader implications: political restructuring, economic reorganization, and the social unification of the Muslim community.
It was through Hijrah that Islam found the space to grow—from isolated belief to an organized society guided by divine law. In Medina, the foundations of an Islamic state were laid, and from there, Islamic civilization rose to prominence and flourished for centuries. This migration proved that Islam is not just a set of rituals, but a comprehensive system of life.
If Hijrah remains only as words on a page or a topic for annual sermons, it loses its essence. What matters most is not the celebration itself, but the conscious reflection and application of its lessons. The Hijrah marks the beginning of religious freedom, the quest for justice, and the establishment of a society rooted in Islamic values.
It is crucial to understand: Hijrah was not an escape, but a strategic move to ensure the survival, growth, and resilience of the Ummah. It is not about marking a date, but reviving a purpose.
Today, as we live in times overshadowed by ignorance, oppression, and alien ideologies, the legacy of Hijrah calls on us to rise. It urges us to move—not necessarily from one land to another, but from negligence to awareness, from weakness to strength, and from isolation to unity.
If the true meaning of Hijrah is forgotten or ignored, the future of millions of Muslims remains at risk. But if understood and practiced, it becomes the foundation for our revival.
Sheikh Daood Imran Molaasan.