Faced with violent backlash from pagans, the Holy Prophet was compelled to direct all Muslim believers to migrate to Medina, following the path of their fellow fighters who had earlier fled to Ethiopia during Islam’s infancy. These followers began departing covertly, fearing intervention by the Quraysh tribe. The migrants sought to safeguard their faith and secure a peaceful environment to worship God. Neither separation from their homeland nor dislocation from parents and children mattered to them, as long as their actions were driven by divine love.
As for the Quraysh tribe, they erupted into a furious rage upon learning that the Ansar (the faithful of Medina) had entered an alliance to defend and shelter the Holy Prophet. Consequently, their leaders convened in the “House of Council”—acting as a parliament in the modern sense—where tribal notables determined important municipal matters. A heated debate ensued, yielding three proposals: exile the Prophet from his native land, imprison him, or assassinate him outright.
The assembly sided with their tyrant, Abu Jahl, who argued: “We shall execute him instead, in a manner that prevents his relatives from seeking vengeance. From each Quraysh tribe, a battle-hardened youth will be chosen. These young men, gathered before his door, will ambush him as he leaves his home and strike him down simultaneously with a single sword blow; thus, the blame for the murder will be distributed among all clans. The Manaf family will consequently be unable to wage a general war and will instead accept blood money.”
This strategy received unanimous approval. Such was their treacherous scheme. However, the Almighty’s Will remains absolute. The Holy Quran eloquently chronicles these events: “And remember when the disbelievers plotted against you to restrain you, or kill you, or evict you. But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.” (Surah Al-Anfal, Verse 30). God alerted His prophet to the conspiracies engineered against Him and directed him to depart for the city of migration, a sanctuary where he could spread Islam and attain dignity and strength.
This migration was an act of profound wisdom, for had Islam expanded within Mecca, detractors would undoubtedly have claimed: “The Qurayshites, out of a thirst to dominate the Arabian people, called upon one of their own and asked him to play the role of a prophet to serve their ambitions.” Instead, the tribe established itself as a mortal adversary of the Prophet, persecuting him relentlessly until the day God commanded Him to leave his birthplace.
The Hijra—the clandestine departure of the Prophet from Mecca toward Medina to establish Islam’s new citadel—was by no means a flight, as some like to repeat in an open attempt to disparage both the character and achievements of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). This secrecy was entirely justified by the plot hatched against him by Quraysh dignitaries, who were alarmed by the mass departure of Muslim migrants toward Yathrib and determined to eliminate the primary threat to their idols.
Therefore, it is useful to recall the providential conditions under which this journey occurred, serving as the starting point of the Islamic calendar while marking a decisive turning point that witnessed the conversion of all Arabia under the banner of Islam.
The Impact of the Prophet’s Migration on Islam’s Destiny
The Event of the Hijra
The Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) visited his companion Abu Bakr (May God be pleased with him), informed him of the Lord’s Will, and advised him to migrate. Abu Bakr asked if he could accompany him, and the Prophet agreed. He then offered one of his mounts prepared for the journey. Afterward, the Holy Prophet parted from Abu Bakr, promising to meet him at night at a location outside Mecca. That very night, the Quraysh prepared to execute their heinous plot, gathering chosen men around the door of the Prophet’s house while he was still inside.
When the rendezvous hour arrived, the Prophet requested his cousin and future son-in-law, Ali (May God be pleased with him), to lie in his bed to avoid raising the suspicions of the ambushers, who peered through gaps to verify his presence. Then, covering Ali with his cloak, the Prophet walked right past the assassins while reciting a verse from the Holy Quran: “And We have put before them a barrier and behind them a barrier and covered them, so they do not see.” (Surah Ya-Sin, Verse 9). The Quraysh spent the night watching the door, only to find Ali, his beloved cousin, before them in the morning. Shocked by this unexpected turn of events, they rushed to inform their leaders, who dispatched Abu Jahl to hunt down the Prophet and his companion.
Abu Jahl went straight to Abu Bakr’s house and questioned his daughter Asma, the future wife of Zubayr ibn al-Awwam, regarding the fugitives’ location. Having obtained no answers, he struck the noble girl and left enraged, leading a heavily armed troop in pursuit of their prey. However, through divine mercy, the disbelievers were rendered powerless. They searched everywhere, north and south, far and wide, but to no avail. Even when they arrived within steps of the cavern in question, they suffered a degrading failure: they saw the cave’s opening covered by a spiderweb and a mother pigeon nesting her young. They concluded their target could not be inside.
Nevertheless, anxiety caused tears to flow from the virtuous Abu Bakr, to whom the Holy Quran paid tribute: “If you do not aid the Prophet—Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out as one of two, when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, ‘Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.’ And Allah sent down His tranquility upon him and supported him with angels you did not see and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest, while the word of Allah—that is the highest. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.” (Surah At-Tawbah, Verse 40).
It was by divine grace that the pagans were blinded to this extent, and none felt tempted to peer inside. Better yet, the Prophet’s fierce enemy, Umayya ibn Khalaf, the former torturer of Bilal, dissuaded his companions by arguing it was impossible for anyone to hide in that cave.
Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) remained there with Abu Bakr for three consecutive days, during which they sustained themselves on milk brought by Amr ibn Fuhayra, one of Abu Bakr’s servants. Furthermore, his son Abdullah acted as their emissary to the outside world, visiting daily to inform them of the enemy’s movements and positions. After three days of searching, the Quraysh lost all hope, the tension eased, and the opportunity became favorable for the Prophet to continue toward Yathrib, future Medina, located six hundred kilometers from Mecca.
Meanwhile, the defeated troop returned empty-handed to Mecca, promising a reward of one hundred camels to anyone who could reveal the venerated Prophet’s location. Immediately, Suraqa, a future knight of Islam, undertook this risky mission to capture the Prophet dead or alive. Suraqa jumped at the opportunity, discreetly took a mount, and set off. As he drew close, his horse stumbled over a stone and fell.
He remounted, resumed his chase, and drew close enough to hear the Prophet reciting the Holy Quran. While Abu Bakr kept turning around anxiously, the horse’s legs sank into the sand up to its knees, throwing Suraqa to the ground. He spurred the mare, which managed to rise, but as its legs emerged, a cloud of dust resembling smoke rose to the sky. Suraqa understood his attempts were futile; gripped by immense terror, he cried out for mercy.
The Prophet and his companions, Abu Bakr, Amr ibn Fuhayra, and their guide Ibn Arqat, halted and waited for him. Suraqa later described the moving scene, stating: “After enduring these trials, I became profoundly convinced that a day would come when the Prophet’s cause would unequivocally triumph.” He told the Prophet about the bounty and detailed the intentions of the Quraysh, offering them provisions and gear.
They took nothing, merely requesting that he maintain silence and mislead the enemy regarding their path. Suraqa then asked the Prophet for a pledge of security, which was immediately drafted for him by Abu Bakr. Thus ended the drama where Providence demonstrated its protective care for the Seal of the Prophets against the perils facing his noble mission.
The Muslims of Medina gathered in groups to welcome the Savior of Humanity (Peace Be Upon Him) when they learned of his nighttime departure from his birthplace. Burning with the desire to see him, they awaited his arrival impatiently under the blazing sun, but the Prophet initially gave no sign of life. Several days passed in this manner. One day, after waiting in vain, the Medinians returned to their homes worried and disappointed. Suddenly, a Jewish citizen shouted out: “Arab people, here is your good fortune! The chance you have been waiting for.” Muhammad has arrived! Muhammad has arrived! They grabbed their weapons and rushed to meet the Messenger at “Al-Harrah.” Weary from the journey, the Prophet leaned against the trunk of a date palm to rest.
The Medinians welcomed him with fervor, joy, and love, surrounding him protectively. The Prophet traveled along the right side of Al-Harrah until he reached the vicinity of the Amr ibn Awf family homes in Quba, where he dismounted to construct without delay the first building of Islam, the mosque of piety praised in the Holy Quran.