8.3 Hijra and the Medinan period

The Hijra marks a crucial turning point in Islamic history. In 622 CE, Muhammad and his followers migrated from Mecca to Medina, escaping persecution and establishing the first Islamic state. This event initiated the Islamic calendar and set the stage for Islam's expansion.

In Medina, Muhammad assumed political leadership, drafted a constitution, and built a unified Muslim community. He forged alliances, engaged in military campaigns, and consolidated Islamic rule in Arabia. This period saw the completion of Quranic revelations and laid the foundation for Islamic governance and society.

Hijra from Mecca to Medina

• The Hijra, or migration, of the early Muslim community from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE was a pivotal event in the history of Islam
• It marked the beginning of the Islamic calendar and the establishment of the first Islamic state under the leadership of Prophet Muhammad
• The Hijra represents a turning point in the development of Islam, as it allowed the Muslim community to grow and flourish in a more supportive environment

Reasons for the Hijra

Persecution of early Muslims

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• The early Muslim community faced intense persecution and hostility from the pagan Meccan authorities and the powerful Quraysh tribe
• Muslims were subjected to physical violence, economic boycotts, and social ostracism due to their belief in one God and rejection of idolatry
• The persecution escalated to the point where the lives of Muslims were in danger, and they were forced to seek refuge and protection elsewhere

Invitation from Medinan tribes

• The city of Medina, known as Yathrib at the time, was home to several Arab tribes, including the Aws and Khazraj
• These tribes had a history of conflict and rivalry, but they recognized the need for a neutral arbitrator to bring peace and stability to the region
• They invited Prophet Muhammad to come to Medina and serve as a mediator and leader, offering him and his followers protection and support

Journey of the Hijra

Secret departure from Mecca

• To avoid detection and persecution from the Meccans, Prophet Muhammad and his close companion Abu Bakr made secret preparations to leave the city
• They left their homes under the cover of night and took refuge in a cave called Thawr, located south of Mecca
• They remained in the cave for three days, with Abu Bakr's daughter Asma bringing them food and water, until it was safe to continue their journey

Companions on the journey

• Prophet Muhammad was accompanied by his closest friend and companion, Abu Bakr, on the journey to Medina
• Other early Muslims, including Ali ibn Abi Talib and Umar ibn al-Khattab, also made the Hijra to Medina, either before or after the Prophet
• The Muhajirun, or the emigrants from Mecca, left behind their homes, property, and families to join the Prophet in Medina and support the cause of Islam

Arrival in Medina

• After a journey of several days, Prophet Muhammad and Abu Bakr arrived in Medina, where they were welcomed by the local tribes and the Muslim community
• The Prophet's arrival was a cause for celebration and joy among the people of Medina, who had eagerly awaited his coming
• The date of the Prophet's arrival in Medina, 12 Rabī' al-Awwal, marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar and is celebrated by Muslims as the Hijri New Year

Establishment of the first Islamic state

Muhammad as political leader

• Upon his arrival in Medina, Prophet Muhammad assumed the role of political leader and head of state, in addition to his spiritual and religious authority
• He established a system of governance based on the principles of Islam, with the Quran and his own example (Sunnah) as the primary sources of law and guidance
• As the leader of the Muslim community, Prophet Muhammad was responsible for the welfare and security of his followers, as well as the administration of justice and the conduct of foreign relations

Constitution of Medina

• One of the first acts of Prophet Muhammad in Medina was to draft a constitution, known as the Constitution of Medina or the Charter of Medina
• The constitution established the rights and responsibilities of the various groups living in Medina, including the Muslims, Jews, and pagan tribes
• It laid the foundation for a pluralistic and inclusive society, where all citizens had equal rights and were bound by a common set of laws and principles

Rights and responsibilities of citizens

• Under the Constitution of Medina, all citizens of the Islamic state, regardless of their religious or tribal affiliation, were guaranteed certain basic rights, such as the right to life, property, and freedom of religion
• In return, citizens were expected to fulfill certain responsibilities, such as contributing to the defense and security of the state, paying taxes, and adhering to the laws and principles of Islam
• The constitution also established a system of collective responsibility and mutual support, where the strong were expected to protect the weak and the wealthy were expected to help the poor and needy

Building the Muslim community

Brotherhood between Meccan and Medinan Muslims

• To foster unity and solidarity among the Muslim community, Prophet Muhammad established a system of brotherhood (mu'akhah) between the Meccan emigrants (Muhajirun) and the Medinan helpers (Ansar)
• Each Muhajir was paired with an Ansar, who would provide them with shelter, food, and support until they could establish themselves in Medina
• This system helped to break down tribal and regional loyalties and create a sense of shared identity and purpose among the Muslims

Construction of the first mosque

• One of the first projects undertaken by the Muslim community in Medina was the construction of a mosque, known as the Prophet's Mosque or Al-Masjid an-Nabawi
• The mosque served as a place of worship, a community center, and a seat of government, where the Prophet would lead prayers, deliver sermons, and hold meetings with his companions
• The mosque was built on a piece of land donated by two orphan boys, and the Prophet himself participated in its construction, carrying bricks and stones alongside his followers

Call to prayer and congregational prayers

• To summon the faithful to prayer, Prophet Muhammad introduced the call to prayer (adhan), which was first recited by Bilal ibn Rabah, a former slave and one of the earliest converts to Islam
• The adhan consists of a series of phrases proclaiming the greatness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad, and inviting people to come to prayer
• The Prophet also established the practice of congregational prayers, where Muslims would gather together in the mosque to perform their daily prayers in unison, led by an imam

Relations with other religious communities

Treaty with the Jewish tribes

• When Prophet Muhammad arrived in Medina, the city was home to several Jewish tribes, including the Banu Qaynuqa, Banu Nadir, and Banu Qurayza
• The Prophet entered into a treaty with these tribes, known as the Constitution of Medina, which granted them religious freedom and autonomy in exchange for their loyalty and support of the Islamic state
• However, relations between the Muslims and Jews eventually deteriorated, leading to conflicts and the expulsion of some of the Jewish tribes from Medina

Interactions with Christians and pagans

• Prophet Muhammad also had interactions with Christian communities, both in Medina and in the surrounding areas
• He sent letters to various Christian rulers, inviting them to embrace Islam and recognizing Jesus as a prophet and messenger of God
• The Prophet also engaged in diplomatic relations with pagan Arab tribes, seeking to establish alliances and spread the message of Islam through peaceful means

Military campaigns and battles

Battle of Badr

• The Battle of Badr, fought in 624 CE, was the first major military encounter between the Muslims and the pagan Meccans
• Despite being outnumbered and outmatched, the Muslims emerged victorious, thanks in part to their discipline, unity, and faith in God
• The battle was a turning point in the struggle between the Muslims and the Meccans, and it established the Muslims as a formidable military force in the region

Battle of Uhud

• The Battle of Uhud, fought in 625 CE, was a setback for the Muslims, as they suffered heavy losses and were forced to retreat to Medina
• The battle highlighted the importance of obedience to the Prophet and the dangers of disobedience and disunity among the ranks
• Despite the defeat, the Muslims remained steadfast in their faith and continued to fight for the cause of Islam

Battle of the Trench

• The Battle of the Trench, also known as the Battle of the Confederates, took place in 627 CE, when a coalition of Meccan and allied tribes laid siege to Medina
• To defend the city, the Muslims dug a trench around its perimeter, which prevented the enemy from launching a direct assault
• After a prolonged siege, the coalition broke up and retreated, marking a major victory for the Muslims and a turning point in the struggle against the Meccans

Conquest of Mecca

• In 630 CE, Prophet Muhammad and his followers entered Mecca peacefully, after years of conflict and hostility with the Meccan authorities
• The conquest of Mecca marked the end of pagan resistance to Islam in the Arabian Peninsula and the establishment of Islamic rule over the holiest city in Islam
• The Prophet showed great mercy and forgiveness towards his former enemies, granting amnesty to all who accepted Islam and pledged allegiance to the Islamic state

Consolidation of Islamic rule in Arabia

Diplomatic missions to neighboring tribes and states

• After the conquest of Mecca, Prophet Muhammad sent diplomatic missions to various neighboring tribes and states, inviting them to embrace Islam and enter into alliances with the Islamic state
• These missions were largely successful, as many tribes and rulers recognized the growing power and influence of the Muslims and sought to establish friendly relations with them
• The Prophet also sent letters to the rulers of Persia, Byzantium, and other major powers of the time, inviting them to accept Islam and acknowledge the sovereignty of God

Establishment of Islamic law and governance

• As the Islamic state expanded and consolidated its rule over Arabia, Prophet Muhammad established a system of Islamic law and governance based on the principles of the Quran and his own example (Sunnah)
• This system included the appointment of governors, judges, and other officials to administer justice and maintain order in the various provinces and cities under Muslim control
• The Prophet also established the institution of the caliphate, or the succession of leadership after his death, to ensure the continuity and stability of the Islamic state

Final sermon and pilgrimage of Muhammad

• In 632 CE, Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon during his last pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the Farewell Pilgrimage
• In this sermon, he reiterated the basic principles of Islam, including the unity of God, the equality of all people before God, and the importance of justice, compassion, and righteousness
• The Prophet also announced that he had completed his mission and that the message of Islam was now perfected and complete
• Shortly after the Farewell Pilgrimage, Prophet Muhammad fell ill and passed away in Medina, leaving behind a legacy that would shape the course of history for centuries to come

Legacy and significance of the Medinan period

Foundation of the Islamic state and society

• The Medinan period, which lasted from 622 CE until the death of Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE, laid the foundation for the Islamic state and society that would emerge in the following centuries
• During this period, the Prophet established the basic institutions and principles of Islamic governance, including the constitution, the judiciary, and the administration of public affairs
• He also created a model of a just and inclusive society, where people of different faiths and backgrounds could live together in peace and harmony under the rule of Islamic law

Completion of Quranic revelations

• The Medinan period also witnessed the completion of the Quranic revelations, with the final verses being revealed to Prophet Muhammad shortly before his death
• The Quran, which had been revealed piecemeal over a period of 23 years, was now compiled and codified into a single book, which would serve as the primary source of guidance and inspiration for Muslims for all time
• The completion of the Quranic revelations marked the end of the era of prophecy and the beginning of the era of interpretation and application of Islamic law and principles

Muhammad's role as exemplar for Muslims

• Throughout the Medinan period, Prophet Muhammad served as a role model and exemplar for his followers, demonstrating the virtues of compassion, humility, justice, and devotion to God
• His words and actions, recorded in the Hadith literature, would become the basis for the Sunnah, or the normative practice of Islam, which Muslims strive to emulate in their daily lives
• The Prophet's legacy as a spiritual and moral guide, as well as a political and military leader, would inspire generations of Muslims to follow in his footsteps and work towards the establishment of a just and righteous society based on the principles of Islam