The Significance of Ma’al Hijrah

This evening, Muslims around the world would bid farewell to 1430 Hijrah and usher in 1431 Hijrah - the start of Muslim calendar year with prayers, contemplation and reflection of our own existence and mortality - unlike other New Year celebrations.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “We know nothing of what will happen in future, but by the analogy of experience”.

Here, on the eve of 1431 Hijrah, I would like to share the significance of Ma’al Hijrah, as extracted from here: -

Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) was well aware of the fact that people who were plunged in prejudice, superstition and ignorance would not abandon their beliefs and ways easily and that it would take extensive struggle, severe hardships, and sincere self sacrifice to save them from the pit of corruption and guide them onto the path of virtue and monotheism. He could easily read in the faces of the people of Makkah, the opposition to Islam and their bigoted determination to fight the Muslims.

The divine foresight of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) had given him a dark image of the future. With such an insight and divine knowledge, he held high the banner of prophecy and adopted patience and tolerance. Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) struggled with the enemies of Islam in Makkah for 13 years and resisted all their torments and obstructions, but the opponents of Islam did not give up their devilish beliefs and manner and utilized all their power to destroy Islam. Under such circumstances, the universal mission of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) necessitated his migration to a calm, suitable place and to find a new arena for his work and mission.

After the blissful entrance of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) into Yathrib, its name was changed into Medinat ul-Nabi, meaning 'the City of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (PBUH)”.

That year, the year Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) migrated (Hijrah/Hijrat 622CE) at the age of 53 years from Makkah to Yathrib (Madinah), was recognized as the origin of history (beginning of the Islamic Era or the Hijrah calendar), due to this significant historical event, the triumph of righteousness and justice.

The illuminating sun of Islam gave new life to the people. They discarded all the old superstitious beliefs and thoughts and all the wrong deeds and manners of the past, replacing them with the perfect life-giving culture of Islam.

Note: When we say 1431 Hijrah, it means that 1431 years have passed since the time of Prophet Muhammad's (saw) flight (Hijrah) from Makkah to Medinah”.

May we draw some inspiration from this story and be inspired to make some ‘Hijrah’ here and there in our life, that would eventually lead to betterment in our Ibu Pertiwi at large.

First ‘Hijrah’, have you registered yourself as a voter to this Ibu Pertiwi? Kindly visit this page for “ small step for man, giant leap for mankind”.