Lessons to learn

• The Muslims sacrificed their wealth, their comforts, their families and put their lives at risk when the call for migration was made. However, they were prepared for this knowing full well the superiority of faith over material gain.

• If a Muslim is firm is his belief he will not be afraid to practice or profess his Islam openly. The action of Umar Radhi Allahu Anhu proves that a strong stance creates fear in the enemy. If the Quraish had formed a group and wanted to stop him they could have done so but each of them feared Umar Radhi Allahu Anhu and his conviction. A disbelievers love of this life and fear of death prevents him from such confrontation.

Unsuccessful Conspiracy against the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam

The migration of the Muslims to Madinah frightened the Quraish. They soon realised that the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam would establish a base with a large number of adherents in an area beyond their reach and if he were also to join them there they would be rendered helpless. All the chiefs of the Quraish assembled in council to discuss how to stop this. They debated the various suggestions and ultimately decided that each clan should provide a young courageous warrior so that all of them could attack the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and jointly kill him. Thus, the guilt of shedding his blood would lie equally on all the clans and no single clan could be held responsible for it. (3)

But, the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was warned of their wicked plan by divine revelation. He asked Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu to lie in his bed and to wrap himself in his mantle. He consoled him saying that no harm would come to him.

The murderous band stood outside the Prophet's Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam house with weapons in their hands ready to strike. The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam came out and threw a handful of dust at them reciting the first nine verses of Surah Yaaseen ending with the verse :

'And We have set a bar before them and a bar behind them and have covered them so that they do not see." (4)

Allah took away their sight and the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam slipped through their hands. At the appointed time they rushed into the room and saw Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu sleeping on his bed wrapped in the Prophet's Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam mantle.

Allah explained this incident in the Qur’an:

“Remember how the disbelievers plotted against you to keep you in bonds, slay you or to get you out (of your home). They plan and Allah too plans but the best of planners is Allah.“ (Surah Anfâl - Verse 30)

The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam's Migration to Madinah

The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam came to Abu Bakr Radhi Allahu Anhu and told him that Allah had finally given him permission to migrate. Abu Bakr Radhi Allahu Anhu exclaimed: "Together, 0 Prophet of Allah?", as he was anxious to keep company with him. The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam answered: "Yes you will accompany me."

Abu Bakr Radhi Allahu Anhu presented two dromedaries he had been keeping in readiness for the purpose. Abdullah Ibn Urayqit was hired to act as a guide for the journey. The Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam had a number of things committed to his care, as people trusted him with their belongings. He charged Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu to return these to their owners before he left Makkah.

Lessons to learn

• When the Quraish could not stop the spreading of the truthful message of Islam they resorted to the ultimate plan - to kill the leader of the movement. This is usually the train of thought of many of the enemies of Islam. History has shown that murder is always an option which the oppressors will resort to when all else fails.

• Subjects who are sincere and truthful followers of a truthful cause will serve their leader to the extent of sacrificing their lives. Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu, when he spent the night on the bed of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, could easily have been killed by the angry youth of the Quraish in revenge. Ali Radhi Allahu Anhu was happy to face this because he had the order of the Prophet Sallalahu Alaihi Wasallam before him.

• A new era was indeed in the making, because it was from the start of the Hijrah year that the Islamic calendar takes its origin. The calculation of years by the Muslims had begun from the first year of prophethood. However, after the Hijrah of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, the years became known as Hijri, the first year of Hijri being the year of the arrival of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam in Madinah. The names of the lunar months remained the same as were customary in Arabia before the advent of Islam.

• The fact that the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam made sure that the trusts that he had in his possession be returned to his enemies showed his justice and integrity at this critical moment in his life.

• The migration of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam illustrates the principle that everything, howsoever coveted by one, ought to be sacrificed for the sake of ones faith and religion. Worldly possessions, no matter how valuable, can never take the place of a mans faith nor can faith be bartered away for all the world. Makkah was the birthplace and home of the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. He and his Sahabah loved it dearly because it had the house of Allah - the Ka'bah. But, they were prepared to bid farewell to this, their families and friends for the ability to freely practise their faith. These feelings of human nature were articulately expressed by the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam as he was leaving Makkah :

''What a nice city you are and how ardently I love you. Had my people not exiled me, I would have never settled anywhere except in you.'

Dua when leaving Home

Meaning : With the name of Allah I place my trust upon Allah. There is no power and might except in Allah.

Sunnah

When entering the home one should greet the family memebers with the customary greeting and one should remember Allah.