Hijra (Islam) facts for kids
Hijra (pronounced HEEJ-rah) is an Arabic word that means "migration" or "journey." It refers to the important journey made by the Islamic prophet Muhammad and many of his followers. They traveled from the city of Mecca to the city of Medina in the year 622 CE.
This special journey, the Hijra, is so important that it marks the very beginning of the Islamic calendar. You might also see the word spelled as Hijrah or Hegira.
Contents
The Journey of the Hijra
The Hijra was not just a simple trip; it was a carefully planned journey that took several days. Here's a timeline of the key events:
Starting the Journey
- Day 1: Thursday, September 9, 622 CE
- Muhammad left his home in Mecca. He and some followers hid for three days in a place called the Cave of Thawr, which was near Mecca. This was to avoid those who wanted to stop them.
- Day 5: Monday, September 13, 622 CE
- They left the area around Mecca and began their long trip towards the region of Yathrib. Yathrib is the old name for Medina.
Arriving in Quba'
- Day 12: Monday, September 20, 622 CE
- Muhammad and his followers arrived at a place called Quba'. This small village was just outside Medina. They stayed there for a short time.
First Visit to Medina
- Day 16: Friday, September 24, 622 CE
- Muhammad made his first visit into Medina itself. This was for the special Friday prayers.
Moving into Medina
- Day 26: Monday, October 4, 622 CE
- Finally, Muhammad and his companions moved from Quba' and settled permanently in the city of Medina.
The dates given in the Islamic calendar are counted backward from the Hijra. The Western dates are from the Julian calendar. Muslims celebrate the Hijra every year on the 8th day of Rabi' I. This is about 66 days after the first day of the Muslim year, which is 1 Muharram. Sometimes, people get confused and think the Hijra happened on the very first day of the Islamic year, but it actually happened a bit later.
Related pages
See also
In Spanish: Hégira para niños
