In the name of Allah, the Gracious and the Merciful.
All praise and adorations are due to Allah (SWT). We seek for His continued blessings upon our noble Prophet Muhammad, his household, companions and Muslims across the world.
A. Introduction:
“The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a year) – so ordained by Him, the day He created the heavens and the earth. Of them four are sacred that is the straight usage”.( Quran 9 vrs 36).
HIJRAH day marks the beginning of a new year for the entire Muslim world, hence the commencement of a new year of 1442 after the migration of the Prophet and his companions from Makkah to Yathrib (Madinah).
According to history, the date represents the starting point of Muslim era. Our noble Prophet Muhammad himself dated his correspondence, treaties and proclamations after other event of his life. It was Umar 1 (RA), the second caliph, who in the year 639 CE introduced the hijrah era (now distinguished by the initials, AH). He started the first year with the first day of lunar month of Muharram, which corresponds to July 16, 622, on the Julian calender.
In 1677-78 (AH 1088), the Ottoman government, still keeping the HIJRAH era, began to use the solar (Julian) year, eventually creating two different dates resulting from the differences between a solar (sun) and a lunar (moon) year. The Quran refers ” It is He who made sun to be a shinning glory and the moon to be a light of beauty), and measured out stages for her; that ye might know number of years and the count of times”. (Q10 vrs 5).
The term HIJRAH has also been applied to the immigration or emigration of early Muslim faithfuls from Makkah to Yathrib (Madina) in order to protect their faith from the oppressors of Makkah, and ultimately to spread the message of Islam across the world. The early Muslims face serious and series of persecutions from the hard-hearted hypocrites of Makkah to extent that some had to denounce their faiths to remain relevant in Makkah. Hence, the permission to embark on the flight to Madina.
B. Lessons:
- Determination to achieve success through hard work and perseverance.
The historical HIJRAH marked the transformation phase of Islam. The message of hijrah is beyond the physical migration. In essence, the hijrah symbolizes self transformation from darkness to enlightenment, waywardness to righteousness, evils to piety. It also connotes movement from poverty to wealthiness, failures to achievements. - Harness the power of positivity and spread goodness.
The Prophet of Islam (s. a. w) developed a community that spread goodness to others and contribute to larger humanity for a greater good for all. The Prophet (s.a.w) and his companions built a strong and cohesive community that focused on growth and transformations that chart the ways towards their eventual success. - Self Transformation
HIJRAH reminds us to always be a better person than yesterday. Prophet of Islam (s. a. w) reminded us that “Every person that his day as a vendor of his soul, either freeing it or causing its ruin”. (Muslim). - Spreading the message of love, peace and harmony.
The Islam that the Prophet taught to his followers is an Islam that is full of love, mercy and compassion, not Islam that is full of hatred, violent and destruction.
Today, we need to continue to harness the legacy of our beloved Prophet. He made too many compromises to establish Islam. He was so tolerant and respectful of other faiths. He never promoted rancor, war or violence. He fought to defend his mission and not to impose his religion or faith on anyone. He strengthened the diversity in Madina and co-existed with other faiths (Jews, Christians). He signed treaties that favored his enemies to stem the tide of wars and rancor. He established a state that protected the minorities. All these are the main reasons why he was asked to migrate to Madinah.
We Muslims of today must be highly proactive community that must contribute to the larger human fraternity and propel together towards success and goodness to all.
Thank you.
Imam Shefiu AbdulKareem Majemu.
Founder, The Islamic Platform Society of Nigeria /Strength in Diversity Development Centre (SDDC), Nigeria.