AL-HIJRA ( IMMIGRATION )

BS Foad,M.D., 2008


The following concepts will be discussed :

  1. What is the meaning of Hijra

  2. How does this concept apply to Muslims in the USA

  3. God’s prophets did Hijra

  4. The rewards of Hijra

  5. It the duty of Muslims to support those who immigrate to their community


What does Hijra mean ?

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Hijra implies leaving your home to another place, usually motivated by either fleeing from something or wishing for something more. The Muhajereen ( immigrants ) are the Prophet’s companions who left the oppression in Macca and fled to Madinah to start a new life.

But Hijra also implies leaving anything that displeases Allah and migrating to what pleases Him


We find evidence for both meaning in the Qur’an and Sunnah:


وَٱلسَّابِقُونَ ٱلأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَٱلأَنْصَارِ وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَانٍ رَّضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُواْ عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِى تَحْتَهَا ٱلأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَداً ذٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ


The vanguard (of Islam), the first of those who forsook (their homes) and of those who gave them aid, and (also) those who follow them in (all) good deeds, well-pleased is Allah with them, as are they with Him: for them Hath He prepared Gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever: that is the supreme Felicity.

At-Tawba 9 : 100


لِلْفُقَرَآءِ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ الَّذِينَ أُخْرِجُواْ مِن دِيَارِهِمْ وَأَمْوَالِهِمْ يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْلاً مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضْوَاناً وَيَنصُرُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ أُوْلَـٰئِكَ هُمُ ٱلصَّادِقُونَ

(Some part is due) to the indigent Muhajirs, those who were expelled from their homes and their property, while seeking Grace from Allah and (His) Good Pleasure, and aiding Allah and His Messenger: such are indeed the sincere ones;

Al-Hashr 59 : 8



Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH ) said:





















( The Muslim is the person who other Muslims fear no harm from his tongue or hand; and the Muhajer ( immigrant ) is the person who avoids what Allah has made forbidden )

Bokhari & Muslim after Abdullah Bin Amrou Bin Al-A’s


This meaning is also supported by the Hadeeth of Omar Bin Al-Khattab:


















( Deeds are dependant on intentions, and every person gets what he intends: If his Hijra ( immigration ) is to Allah and His messenger, then truly his Hijra is to Allah and His messenger. But if his Hijra is motivated by worldly gain or to marry a woman, then his Hijra is towards what he intended from it )

Bokhari & Muslim


The first meaning of Hijra which is leaving your home and country to a foreign different land was exemplified in the Hijra of the Prophet ( PBUH ) when he left Macca where he was born and raised to Madinah. This Hijra was in response to the oppression that the Muslims were subjected to by the Qoraysh in Macca, and after it became obvious that no more people will accept Islam. It occurred after the Boycott when Qoraysh forced the Muslims and the prophet ( PBUH ) and his clan to retreat to the mountains in an attempt to isolate them and starve them. The Prophet ( PBUH ) ordered the Muslims to leave Macca for Madinah and join their brothers in Madinah who accepted Islam. There in Madinah Muslims were to establish a community of believers. The lessons of Hijra therefore are :



It was therefore expected that all Muslims would immigrate and help one another in building and supporting the new community of believers in Madinah. They left a place where they could not practice their faith freely to another place that afforded freedom of worship. This is the central concept of Hijra. Those who did not immigrate and join the Prophet ( PBUH ) and their brothers and sisters in Madinah are admonished in the Qur’an:



وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ ٱلرَّسُولَ مِن بَعْدِ مَا تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ ٱلْهُدَىٰ وَيَتَّبِعْ غَيْرَ سَبِيلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ نُوَلِّهِ مَا تَوَلَّىٰ وَنُصْلِهِ جَهَنَّمَ وَسَآءَتْ مَصِيراً


If anyone contends with the Messenger even after guidance has been plainly conveyed to him, and follows a path other than that becoming to men of Faith, We shall leave him in the path he has chosen, and land him in Hell, what an evil refuge!

An-Nesa’a 4 : 115


إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَوَفَّاهُمُ ٱلْمَلاۤئِكَةُ ظَالِمِيۤ أَنْفُسِهِمْ قَالُواْ فِيمَ كُنتُمْ قَالُواْ كُنَّا مُسْتَضْعَفِينَ فِى ٱلأَرْضِ قَالْوۤاْ أَلَمْ تَكُنْ أَرْضُ ٱللَّهِ وَاسِعَةً فَتُهَاجِرُواْ فِيهَا فَأُوْلَـٰئِكَ مَأْوَاهُمْ جَهَنَّمُ وَسَآءَتْ مَصِيراً

When angels take the souls of those who die in sin against their souls, they say: "In what (plight) were ye?" They reply: "Weak and oppressed were we in the earth." They say: "Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to move yourselves away (from evil)?" Such men will find their abode in Hell, what an evil refuge!

An-Nesa’a 4 : 97


إِلاَّ ٱلْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ وَٱلنِّسَآءِ وَٱلْوِلْدَانِ لاَ يَسْتَطِيعُونَ حِيلَةً وَلاَ يَهْتَدُونَ سَبِيلاً

Except those who are (really) weak and oppressed, men, women, and children who have no means in their power, nor (a guide-post) to direct their way.

An-Nesa’a 4 : 98

فَأُوْلَـٰئِكَ عَسَى ٱللَّهُ أَن يَعْفُوَ عَنْهُمْ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ عَفُوّاً غَفُوراً


For these, there is hope that Allah will forgive: for Allah doth blot out (sins) and forgive again and again.

An-Nesa’a 4 : 99

After Macca was opened, Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH ) said:









( There is no Hijra after the opening of Macca, but Jihad and motivation; and if you are called upon to go out in Jihad, go )

Bokhari & Muslim after Ibn Abbas




How does this concept apply to Muslims in the USA ?

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As long as Muslims in the USA are able to live freely and practice their Islam with no oppression, there is no harm on them to live here for it is their home and it their country. They have established roots, built mosques and schools and set up their social structure and they are part of their community.


If the situation changes and Muslims become oppressed or unable to practice their Islam in a community of Muslims, then it becomes imperative for them to immigrate to a safer place where they can once again establish a Muslim community free of oppression. The Hadeeth of prophet Muhammad ( PBUH )








( I am free of any Muslim living among those who worship gods with Allah ) does not apply to Muslims in the USA. This Hadeeth refers to a particular situation that occurred to a group of Muslims who did not immigrate but stayed with the Mushrekeen ( idolators ) and were killed. The Prophet is saying that he does not bear the responsibility of their death for they have subjected themselves to danger. At that time, they should have immigrated for it was not safe for them to stay with enemies. This situation only applies to Muslims whose safety is endangered.


The whole earth belongs to Allah. There is nothing that prevents Muslims from settling in new lands and forming a Muslim community:



يٰعِبَادِىَ ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُوۤاْ إِنَّ أَرْضِى وَاسِعَةٌ فَإِيَّاىَ فَٱعْبُدُونِ

O My servants who believe! truly, spacious is My Earth: therefore serve ye Me, (and Me alone)!

Al-Ankabut 29 : 56


This notion of Dar As-Islam ( land of peace ) and Dar-Al-Harb ( land of war ) was at a time when Muslims were fighting, and the world was divided into two camps: The land where Muslims ruled and its citizens enjoyed peace and prosperity; and other lands outside of Muslim influence who were fighting Muslims. This concept does not exist nowadays, since we as Muslims are not going to fight the whole world and we are not at war. We do not force others to become Muslims against their will, and there are other ways to do Da’wa and invite others to God.

Hijra was done by other prophets

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When Prophet Ibrahim was shunned and threatened by his father, he left his home and country in Iraq for Palestine and settled there. He was joined by his nephew Prophet Lut:



وَقَالَ إِنَّمَا ٱتَّخَذْتُمْ مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَوْثَاناً مَّوَدَّةَ بَيْنِكُمْ فِى ٱلْحَيَاةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا ثُمَّ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَامَةِ يَكْفُرُ بَعْضُكُمْ بِبَعْضٍ وَيَلْعَنُ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضاً وَمَأْوَاكُمُ ٱلنَّارُ وَمَا لَكُمْ مِّن نَّاصِرِينَ

And he said: "For you, ye have taken (for worship) idols besides Allah, out of mutual love and regard between yourselves in this life; but on the Day of Judgment ye shall disown each other and curse each other: and your abode will be the Fire, and ye shall have none to help."

Al-Ankabut 29 : 25

فَآمَنَ لَهُ لُوطٌ وَقَالَ إِنِّى مُهَاجِرٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّيۤ إِنَّهُ هُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ


But Lut had faith in him: he said: "I will leave home for the sake of my Lord: for He is Exalted in Might, and Wise."

Al-Ankabut 29 : 26

قَالَ أَرَاغِبٌ أَنتَ عَنْ آلِهَتِى يٰإِبْرَاهِيمُ لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهِ لَأَرْجُمَنَّكَ

وَٱهْجُرْنِى مَلِيّا

(The father) replied: "Dost thou hate my gods, O Abraham? If thou forbear not, I will indeed stone thee: now get away from me for a good long while!"

Marium 19 : 46


قَالَ سَلاَمٌ عَلَيْكَ سَأَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكَ رَبِّيۤ إِنَّهُ كَانَ بِى حَفِيّاً

Abraham said: "Peace be on thee: I will pray to my Lord for thy forgiveness: for He is to me Most Gracious.

Marium 19 : 47


فَأَرَادُواْ بِهِ كَيْداً فَجَعَلْنَاهُمُ ٱلأَسْفَلِينَ

(This failing), they then sought a stratagem against him, but We made them the ones most humiliated!

As-Saffat 37 : 98

وَقَالَ إِنِّى ذَاهِبٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّى سَيَهْدِينِ

He said: "I will go to my Lord! He will surely guide me!

As-Saffat 37 : 99


Prophet Musa also immigrated from Egypt to Madyan:


فَخَرَجَ مِنْهَا خَآئِفاً يَتَرَقَّبُ قَالَ رَبِّ نَجِّنِى مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّالِمِينَ

He therefore got away therefrom, looking about, in a state of fear. He prayed: "O my Lord! save me from people given to wrong-doing."

Al-Qasas 28 : 21


وَلَمَّا تَوَجَّهَ تِلْقَآءَ مَدْيَنَ قَالَ عَسَىٰ رَبِّيۤ أَن يَهْدِيَنِى سَوَآءَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ

Then, when he turned his face towards (the land of) Madyan, he said: "I do hope that my Lord will show me the smooth and straight Path."

Al-Qasas 28 : 22


Prophet Muhammad ( PBUH ) immigrated from Macca to Madinah:


إِلاَّ تَنصُرُوهُ فَقَدْ نَصَرَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِذْ أَخْرَجَهُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ ثَانِىَ ٱثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِى ٱلْغَارِ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَاحِبِهِ لاَ تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَنَا فَأَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ سَكِينَتَهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَيَّدَهُ بِجُنُودٍ لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا وَجَعَلَ كَلِمَةَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ ٱلسُّفْلَىٰ وَكَلِمَةُ ٱللَّهِ هِىَ ٱلْعُلْيَا وَٱللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ

If ye help not (your Leader), (it is no matter): for Allah did indeed help him, when the Unbelievers drove him out: he had no more than one companion: they two were in the Cave, and he said to his companion, "Have no fear for Allah is with us": then Allah sent down His peace upon him, and strengthened him with forces which ye saw not, and humbled to the depths the word of the Unbelievers. But the word of Allah is exalted to the heights: for Allah is Exalted in might, Wise.

At-Tawba 9 : 40



The rewards of Hijra

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Allah rewards those who leave their homes and struggle to keep their faith and live their life as Muslims in a new safer place:


إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَٱلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُواْ وَجَاهَدُواْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أُوْلۤـٰئِكَ يَرْجُونَ رَحْمَةَ ٱللَّهِ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Those who believed and those who suffered exile and fought (and strove and struggled) in the path of Allah, they have the hope of the Mercy of Allah: and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Al-Baqara 2 : 218


وَٱلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُواْ فِى ٱللَّهِ مِنْ بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُواْ لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُمْ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَلَأَجْرُ ٱلآخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ لَوْ كَانُواْ يَعْلَمُونَ


To those who leave their homes in the cause of Allah, after suffering oppression, We will assuredly give a goodly home in this world: but truly the reward of the Hereafter will be greater. If they only realized (this)!

An-Nahl 16 : 41


ثُمَّ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ لِلَّذِينَ هَاجَرُواْ مِن بَعْدِ مَا فُتِنُواْ ثُمَّ جَاهَدُواْ وَصَبَرُواْ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ مِن بَعْدِهَا لَغَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

But verily thy Lord, - to those who leave their homes after trials and persecutions, and who thereafter strive and fight for the Faith and patiently persevere - thy Lord, after all this is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

An-Nahl 16 : 110



وَٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَكَذَّبُواْ بِآياتِنَا فَأُوْلَـٰئِكَ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّهِينٌ


Those who leave their homes in the cause of Allah, and are then slain or die, on them will Allah bestow verily a goodly Provision: truly Allah is He Who bestows the best Provision.

Al-Hijj 22 : 58


We see from these verses that the reward for those who immigrate, struggle and patiently persevere is :


In other words, Allah has promised to provide for us and help us as long as we patiently persevere and struggle to live our life as He commanded in our new home.









It the duty of Muslims to support those who immigrate and come to

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Their community

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إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَهَاجَرُواْ وَجَاهَدُواْ بِأَمْوَالِهِمْ وَأَنْفُسِهِمْ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلَّذِينَ آوَواْ وَّنَصَرُوۤاْ أُوْلَـٰئِكَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍ وَٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ وَلَمْ يُهَاجِرُواْ مَا لَكُمْ مِّن وَلـٰيَتِهِم مِّن شَيْءٍ حَتَّىٰ يُهَاجِرُواْ وَإِنِ ٱسْتَنصَرُوكُمْ فِى ٱلدِّينِ فَعَلَيْكُمُ ٱلنَّصْرُ إِلاَّ عَلَىٰ قَوْمٍ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَهُمْ مِّيثَاقٌ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ

Those who believed, and adopted exile, and fought for the Faith, with their property and their persons, in the cause of Allah, as well as those who gave (them) asylum and aid, these are (all) friends and protectors, one of another

Al-Anfal 8 : 72


وَلاَ يَأْتَلِ أُوْلُواْ ٱلْفَضْلِ مِنكُمْ وَٱلسَّعَةِ أَن يُؤْتُوۤاْ أُوْلِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَاكِينَ وَٱلْمُهَاجِرِينَ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ وَلْيَعْفُواْ وَلْيَصْفَحُوۤاْ أَلاَ تُحِبُّونَ أَن يَغْفِرَ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ وَٱللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ


Let not those among you who are endued with grace and amplitude of means resolve by oath against helping their kinsmen, those in want, and those who have left their homes in Allah's cause: let them forgive and overlook: do you not wish that Allah should forgive you? For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

An-Nur 24 : 22


وَٱلَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُوا ٱلدَّارَ وَٱلإِيمَانَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ يُحِبُّونَ مَنْ هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَلاَ يَجِدُونَ فِى صُدُورِهِمْ حَاجَةً مِّمَّآ أُوتُواْ وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُوْلَـٰئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ

But those who, before them, had homes (in Medina) and had adopted the Faith, show their affection to such as came to them for refuge, and entertain no desire in their hearts for things given to the (latter), but give them preference over themselves, even though poverty was their (own lot). And those saved from the covetousness of their own souls; they are the ones that achieve prosperity.

Al-Hashr 59 : 9



We learn from these verses :