hijrah

Hijrah is an Arabic term meaning migration or emigration. In Islamic history, hijrah refers to the migration of the Prophet Muhammad and his early followers from Mecca to Yathrib, a city later renamed Medina, in 622 CE. The move followed years of persecution of Muslims by the Quraysh, the ruling tribe of Mecca. Yathrib invited Muhammad to serve as a mediator and to establish a new communal framework to resolve local conflicts. In 622, Muhammad and a small group of adherents left Mecca; they were escorted by Abu Bakr and temporarily sheltered in the Cave of Thawr during their journey. Upon arrival in Medina, the Muslim community established the first Islamic polity and formulated the Constitution of Medina, which defined rights and responsibilities for Muslims and non-Muslims within the city.

Hijrah also marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar, with the year of Muhammad's migration designated as 1 AH (Anno Hegirae). The event is commemorated in Islamic tradition as a turning point that enabled the spread of Islam, community consolidation, and political organization. In broader use, hijrah can denote any migration undertaken for religious or spiritual reasons, personal reform, or seeking better circumstances for practicing faith.

The term remains a central reference point in discussions of Islamic history and identity, illustrating themes of resilience, collective responsibility, and the pursuit of a just society.