The Hijra, which refers to the migration of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, had several key goals and significance:
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Escape from Persecution: Muslims in Mecca faced severe persecution from the Quraysh tribe, who opposed Muhammad's teachings and the growing Muslim community. The Hijra offered an opportunity for Muslims to escape this persecution.
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Establish a Muslim Community: In Medina, Muhammad sought to establish a cohesive and supportive Muslim community (Ummah) where followers of Islam could practice their faith freely and grow in number without the threat of oppression.
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Form a New Social Order: The move to Medina allowed for the establishment of a new social and political order based on Islamic principles, including justice and equality, and leading to the creation of the first Islamic state.
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Political Alliance: The Hijra also enabled Muhammad to forge alliances with various tribes in Medina, which helped to stabilize the Muslim community and provided a broader base of support against adversarial forces from Mecca.
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Significance in Islamic Calendar: The year of the Hijra (622 CE) marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar (AH - Anno Hegirae) and is considered a pivotal moment in Islamic history.
Overall, the Hijra was a crucial turning point in the development of Islam and helped lay the foundations for its expansion and establishment as a major religious and political force in the Arabian Peninsula and beyond.