Islam and Peace
The Importance of Studying the Life of the Prophet Muhammad and its
Application to Our Lives
~ 89 ~
EMIGRATION: CHANGING THE PLACE OF
ACTION
In the early days of the Prophet’s mission in Mecca
his activities aroused such antagonism that his
opponents made the ruthless decision to eliminate
him. At that juncture, the Prophet chose to avoid
confrontation by quietly leaving Mecca for Madina.
It is this journey which is known as the hijrah, or
emigration.
The Prophet’s emigration, or self-exile, was a matter
of strategy rather than an unwilling departure from
his home town. He made this move advisedly in
order to change the place of action. When he found
Mecca an unfavourable place for his activities, he
chose Madina as the new centre from which to
continue his mission.
From this the principle was established that if
believers found their environment so hostile that
any continuance of their activities could lead to
martyrdom at the hands of their enemies, it was
quite proper for them to avoid direct confrontation
and to move to a more suitable place for missionary
