| Delivered at BCMA Richmond Masjid, Canada |
| Alhijrah AnNabawiyyah |
| By: Ayman El-Najjar |
إن الحمد لله نحمده ونستعينه ونستغفره، ونعوذ بالله من شرور أنفسنا ومن سيئات أعمالنا، من يهده الله فلا مضل له، ومن يضلل فلا هادي له، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له وأشهد أن محمداً عبده ورسوله.{يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ} {يَاأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ مِنْ نَفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاءً وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءَلُونَ بِهِ وَالأَرْحَامَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا} {يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَقُولُوا قَوْلا سَدِيدًا يُصْلِحْ لَكُمْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَمَنْ يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ فَازَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا} أما بعد، فإن أصدق الحديث كتاب الله، وخير الهدي هدي محمد - صلى الله عليه وسلم -، وشر الأمور محدثاتها، وكل محدثةٍ بدعةٍ، وكل بدعةٍ ضلالةٍ، وكل ضلالةٍ في النار، أما بعد.
All praise is due to Allah, whose help and forgiveness we seek. We seek refuge in Allah from whatever evil our hearts conceal and from the consequences of our evil deeds. Whoever Allah grants guidance will never be led astray. Whoever He allows to go astray will never find guidance. I bear witness that none is worthy of worship except Allah, who has no partners, and that Mohammad is His slave and Messenger.
On the 16th or the 17th year after hijrah, Omar Ibn Alkhattab and his advisors from the companions held a meeting to decide on Islamic calendar. And in that meeting they chose the prophetic migration year from Makkah to Madinah to be the starting year of our Islamic calendar. This event marked the beginning of a new era of establishing an independent Islamic state. This event distinguished between the truth and the falsehood.
So, let’s review the migration event in a quick play to highlight some of the lessons we need to have engraved in our hearts and minds
Rasullallah sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam stayed in Makkah ten years making dawah and calling people to Allah azza wajjal. After ten years from receiving the mission from his Lord, his wife Khadeejah and his uncle Abu Taleb both died at the same year. The Makkans became more aggressive towards the prophet sallallahu alaihi wassallam. Therefore, he set out towards At-Taif, about 60 kilometers from Makkah. Contrary to his expectation, the people of Taif were terribly hostile. As the time of pilgrimage was approaching, he, sallallahu alaihi wassallam, hastened to return to Makkah to introduce people to Islam and call them to embrace it. The responses were nothing but rejection. The prophet sallallahu Alaihi wassallam continued his mission with determination. A great lesson to learn! Be determined! Be disciplined when pursuing a noble cause! Especially when the cause is about spreading Islam!
On the following year (i.e. the 11th year of prophet-hood) and during the pilgrimage season, the prophet met 6 people from Yathrib (i.e. Almadinah) who embraced Islam and went back to their people to invite them to this religion. The following year (i.e. the 12th year of prophet-hood) and during the pilgrimage occasion, twelve people from Madinah came to make a pledge that was known as the first Aqabah pledge. This pledge was spiritual pledge; to worship only Allah azza wajjal and not to steal nor commit adultery, nor kill their children, and won’t utter slander, and won’t disobey Rasullallah in any just matter. Spirituality in our religion is in its core! Think of this; the spiritual pledge was established ahead of the political one.
After this pledge, Rasullullah sallallahu aliahi wassallam sent to Yathrib Musa’ab Ibn Omair radia Allahu anh to teach people the doctrine of Islam and its practices and to propagate Islam among the non-believers of Yathrib. Again, this shows the importance of tarbiyah; learning the deen and teaching it to other. This should be the top priority of any Islamic organization; serving the religion of Allah by spreading it, teaching it to become peoples’ way of living! This is the essence of Tariyah!
The next year, the 13th of prophet-hood, and during the pilgrimage season, over seventy converts from Madinah came for the second Aqabah Pledge. This pledge was a political meeting to establish the alliance … as the prophet sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam said “your blood will be my blood. In life and death, I will be with you and you will be with me. I will fight whom you fight and I will make peace with whom you make peace.” The prophet sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam asked the group to appoint 12 deputies to shoulder the responsibility of implementing the articles of this pledge. Shaitan cried out loudly on that night to wake up the Makkans to stop this alliance! When one of the delegation of Madinah asked the permission of the prophet to declare war on the disbelievers in Mina, the prophet sallallahu alaihi wassllam told him “we have not been commanded to follow that course” … This is the essence of our deen; obedience to Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala! Brethren, our deen is not about fighting and not about shedding blood! This is contrary to the propaganda of the enemies of Al-Islam. In the 600 hundred pages of the Holy Qura’an, not a one time you would find the word “sword” or any of its many other Arabic names. Whereas, the just the word ‘sword’ has come more than 200 times in the bible!
After the endorsement of this great pledge, the prophet sallallahu Alaihi wassallm gave his leave for the Muslims to migrate to Madinah. The Makkans came to know about this new development. Therefore, they spared no efforts in hindering people from migrating! The first one to migrate was Abu Salamah radia Allahu anh. His in-laws detained his wife and snatched his son in a desperate attempt to deter him! But he kept on going! Most of people migrated secretly to avoid the hassle of the Makkans but not Umar ibn Alkhattab. When he decided to migrate, he announced it to the Makkans so whoever wants his mother to cry on him let him follow me!! No one followed him!
Almost all the followers of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wassallam had migrated except Abu Bakr, Ali, the prophet himself, and those helpless who had been detained or were unable to escape. Abu Bakr was urging the prophet to migrate but the prophet told him time had not yet come; the Lord had not given me the command to migrate. Abu Bakr had made preparations for the journey; bought two strong camels, and had fed them properly for four months ahead to be ready for the long journey.
The Makkans got deeply worried about the situation. Therefore, they held an urgent meeting at Dar AnNadwah (the parliament of Quraish) to decide on effective measures against Mohammed. The heads of Quraishite tribes attended the meeting. Even Iblis (Satan) disguised in an elderly man attended this meeting. They had a lengthy discussion over several proposals; exile him, or detain him, but none were accepted till Abu Jahl suggested that a group of young and strong men, one from each tribe, should strike Mohammed at the same time with their swords so the tribe of Mohammed would not be able to fight all those tribes and therefore will accept the blood-money settlement. Iblis disguised as an old man praised this suggestion that was accepted collectively.
Gabriel Alahi Assalam came to the prophet sallallahu alaihi wassallam to tell him about Quraish’s conspiracy and to grant him Allah’s permission to migrate and asked him not to sleep that night in his bed. At the noon, the prophet sallallahu alaihi wassallam went to see his companion Abu Bakr to tell him about the permission to migrate. That night, the prophet told Ali (his cousin) to sleep in his bed and cover himself and assured him full security under Allah’s protection! Then Rasullalah sallallahu alaihi wassallam came out of the house while he was reciting the beginning verses of Surat Yasin and he cast a handful of dust at the assassins’ heads. He proceeded to the house of Abu Bakr who immediately accompanied him and both set out. When the Quraishs realized that the prophet had escaped them despite their plot, they got agitated and announced a grand prize of a hundred camels for the one who bring Mohammed, dead or alive! WOW! A hundred camel; this prize is mind-spinning fortunate! A Jackpot! Brethren, let’s always remember this verse where aAllah Azza wajjal says “Verily, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to hinder others from the Path of Allah, and so will they continue to spend it; but in the end it will become an anguish for them. Then they will be overcome. And those who disbelieve will be gathered unto Hell”. We, the people of truth, shall continue striving on the path of Allah with determination because the struggle between truth and falsehood will continue!
One of the great lessons of the migration story is to plan well! Take the necessary measures to success! Planning Planning Planning! Amazing you see how an Islamic organization would embark on a multi-million project and asking for people’s money and support with having any plans! It’s not becoming to embark on a project without having a good plan for it ahead. Wallahi! This is a calamity!
The prophet sallallahu alaihi wassallam and his companion Abu Bakr had set a brilliant plan for the journey covering all of its aspects in a very detailed way! Imagine the map or Arabia, Madinah is located to the north of Makkah. However, the prophet and his companion Abu Bakr headed south till they reach to a rough rocky mountain called Thawr! And they camped in its cave for three days! They knew that Quraish would mobilize all its power to find him. Therefore, the plan was to take the least expected route and stay there for 3 days hoping that the Makkans will give up. Abdullah the son of Abi Bakr would go to see them after dusk to tell them the latest news in Makkah, stay with them the night then leave in the early morning to mix with Makkans as if he slept in Makkah. Amir Ibn Fuhayrah, the servant of Abu Bakr, would tend the goats of Abu Bakr close to the cave so they can benefit by its milk and meat and to cover up the traces of Abdullah ibn abi Bakr.
Despite all these measures, horsemen reached to the mouth of the cave where the prophet and his companion were hiding! When the tracers came very close, Abu Bakr whispered to the prophet sallallahu alaihi wassallam his fear that if they were to look into the cave they would find us. The prophet sallallahu alaihi wassallam replied to him with a heart expecting the best from Allah, a heart having faith and confidence of Allah’s Protection and Support … saying “O Abu Bakr! What do you think of two with whom the third is Allah” “Do not be distressed! Indeed, Allah is with us” … Allah is with us by His Protection and His Mercy, and His Knowledge! A great lesson to every believer; when you are with Allah, fear no one; Allah is your Protector! “Allah defends the believers!” during time of distress and difficulties, turn to Allah invoking His Mercy and Support! And Expect the best from your Lord and Always remember what Allah said “I am as my Slave expects of me”
Abu Bakr made an agreement with a professional guide named Abdullah Ibn Uraiqeet who had not embraced Islam but he was trusted. So, Abu Bakr hired him as a guide. As per their plan, they decided to take on a route other than the normal one that was known to every person. Therefore, the need for a good guide was necessary! This shows us the legitimacy of hiring the service of a non-believer provided he is trustworthy and competent. Also, it shows us the significance of planning in light with the environmental factors influencing the situation!
So, as pre-agreed, Abdullah Ibn Urayqeet came with the camels after three days to the cave of Thawr to set out to Madinah. Abu Bakr offered his second camel to the prophet sallallahu alaihi wassallam who accepted it but with a condition to pay its price. They took with them food provisions Asma bintu Abi Bakr had prepared for them. So, the group (the prophet, Abu Bakr, Amir Ibn Fuhairah, and the guide) started the journey. The little caravan travelled by the coast thru many villages. Many incidences happened in the way! Abu Bakr was a well-know person in Arabia because he used to travel a lot for trading however the prophet sallallahu alaihi wassallam was not. So, whoever asked Abu Bakr radia Allahu anh about the identity of his companion, he would reply “he is guiding me on the way إنه يهديني السبيل” the questioner would think that he is a road guide whereas Abu Bakr radia Allahu anh used it to mean guide to the way of righteousness. Some people may excuse themselves to tell mere lies and oppress others to serve their personal political agenda believing it is permissible. While in reality, Shaitan has deceived them! Brethren, let’s remember that telling lie is not from the characteristics of the believers! Let’s us be extra cautious to guard our tongues!
The love of Abu Bakr radia Allahu anh for Rasullullah sallallahu alaihi wassallam was beyond descrition. Therefore, Abu Bakr was greatly anxious about the safety of the prophet sallallahu alaihi wassallam during the trip. When they came to the cave of Thawr, abu Bakr went inside it first to check it and to clean it. While they were traveling, Abu Bakr sometimes came ahead and sometimes behind to ensure safety from all direction. Brethren, our love to Rasullullah sallallahu alaihi wassallam shall exceed the love of ourselves, our families and our children. Our Iman won’t be complete till we attain this love. Wallahi I was shocked when I saw a TV show by an Islamic figure respected by many as a great caller to Islam asking peoples’ opinions about reaction of the Muslims to the Danish demeaning drawings; wasn’t it exaggerated! Amazing is it an issue for opinion! What a calamity when ignorant people are looked at and listened to as being a source of Islamic knowledge! So, beware of them!
As we have mentioned, Quraish had declared a grand reward for the capture of Mohammed. Among those who were on the lookout for the prophet sallallahu alaihi wassallam enthused by the prize was Suraqah Ibnu Malik. He got some lead that a group of four has been spotted on a certain route. So he decided to chase them secretly. Driven by his greed, he turn away all other tracers so he may win the prize alone! He mounted a swift horse to pursue the prophet sallallahu alaihi wassallam. As he approached them, abu Bakr was worried that he would catch up with them. The prophet sallallahu alaihi wassallam replied “Don’t be sad, Indeed Allah is with us.” The horse stumbled and Suraqah fell on the ground. Blinded by the lust of earning the grand prize, Suraqah persisted despite the frequent stumbling of his horse. Rsullullah sallallahu alaihi wassallam remained steadfast reciting verses of the Qura’an. Suraqah realized that he was mistaken and thus he begged forgiveness of Rasullullah sallallahu alaihi wassallam. Even he offered them provisions but they declined his offer. They only asked him screen off their departure and blind the chasers. Rasullallah told Suraqah that a day will come when Suraqah will put on the bracelets of Kisra! Allahu Akbar! Another episode that teaches us to remain steadfast and reciting Allah’s words especially in times of difficulties! As well, having good opinion of Allah and believing in His Promises.
On Monday 8th Rabi’a Al-Awwal from the 14th year of prophethood, Rasullullah sallallahu alaihi wassallam arrived at Quba. As the news began to spread, people of Madinah would come every morning and wait eagerly for the appearance of Rasullallah sallallahu alaihi wassallam. One day and after long wait and they were about leaving, a jew shouted “O you people of Arabia! Your grandfather has come! The Muslims immediately rushed in joy to welcome him sallallahu alaihi wassallam.
Brother and sisters in Islam, the story of migration has great lessons to learn. The greatest of which is that to know that our religion – Al-Islam – is the most precious thing of our life. For it, we shall sacrifice our beloved possessions. We shall embrace it and tightly hold unto it. We shall do anything to keep it intact. This is our objective; protecting our deen! Another point to highlight is that we will be tested. Shaitan and his soldiers from the Jin and people will do everything against us to turn us away from being good Muslims on the straight path.
Brethren, let’s remember the Prophetic narration as reported in Sahih al-Bukhari whereby Rasullullah sallallahu alaihi wassallam said The migrant is the one who migrate from sins and whatever Allah has forbade! We need to constantly live by the migration spirit! We need to leave our today status to a better tomorrow .. we need to always strive to strengthen our Iman and cleanse ourselves from the sins … migration is a about remaining steadfast and striving for betterment. Strive to keep our deen and remain steadfast! In the way, we shall always be with Allah so Allah will be with us! Then the struggle will be a joy and will be an honor not a pain!
I beg of Allah azza wajjal to protect our religion and grant us steadfastness till we meet him.
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