FRIDAY SERMON

FOR

13 FEBRUARY 2004M
22 ZULHIJJAH 1424H

Published by
Islamic Religious Council of
Singapore
http://www.muis.gov.sg/rservices

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 ISLAMIC RELIGIOUS COUNCIL OF SINGAPORE

FRIDAY SERMON

13 FEBRUARY 2004 / 22 ZULHIJJAH 1424

HIJRAH/MIGRATION OF THE PROPHET

AND ITS HISTORY

Dear Muslim Brothers, may we all be blessed,

I call upon myself and upon all brothers here to remain

conscious of Allah. Let us all strive to be more conscious,
may we be able to carry out all our duties to Allah and
refrain from all that He forbids.

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Dear Congregation,

The month of Muharram will dawn upon us in a few days

time. This marks the beginning of a new Islamic year, the
year 1425 Hijriyyah. This is a month, which is full of fond
memories for all of us. This month commemorates the
historical journey and migration of Prophet Muhammad
praises of Allah be upon him, and his companions i.e.
sahabah, from Mecca to Medina, all done to obey the
orders of Allah.

Hijrah is remembered till this day. But have we really tried

to learn what actually took place during this historical
move? Have we thought of learning more and deeply
about this event?

Let it be known to us Dear Brothers,

That the new Islamic year is special. The Hijrah is not a

mathematical tool alone, to count the days and mark the
beginning of the Islamic New Year. It is strongly related to
the origins of Islam and its spread, which eventually lead
to the formation of an Islamic state.

The history and lifestyle of the Prophets of Allah

themselves are the true manifestations of Islam. The

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Hijrah or migration of Prophet Muhammad praises of Allah
be upon him has a lot of lessons for us.
Dear Blessed Congregation,

When we look back at the Hijrah of Prophet s.a.w. 14

centuries back, we find that it is an event full of trials,
tribulations and challenges for the Prophet and His
companions. Prophet obeyed the commands of Allah and
migrated. He was saved from the evil plans of the enemies
of Islam to kill him. Hence, the Hijrah was the beginning of
the spread of Islam and its teachings.

Hijrah was a result of the findings of the Prophet on the

conditions of the people who lived in the Arabian
Peninsula. It was also very well planned, very well
executed and successful endeavour.

Prophet’s efforts to make the city of Medina as a base for

the spread of Islam was not done haphazardly or hastily.
Before even calling upon the believers in Mecca to migrate
to Medina, Prophet had surveyed the conditions in Medina
when he first met a group from Yathrib whom later
became Muslims. They made their oath to Prophet s.a.w.
and vowed to help him and his companions. Only then did

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Prophet called upon the companions to leave Mecca for
Yahtrib, which was later known as Medina.

Dear Blessed Congregation,

The Hijrah that took place was not a physical shift from
Mecca to Medina alone, but is much more than that. It is a
change. The Hijrah lead by Prophet s.a.w. brought about
profound changes for Muslims then. The old conditions in
Mecca were replaced by new ones in Medina. Such an
event is an important milestone in the shift in the quality of
life; hence it will not be a success, unless accompanied by
a change in the attitudes of Muslims in facing a new life, a
new situation.

The Hijrah from Mecca to Medina did not only mark the
beginning of Medina as a base for the spread of Islam.
Prophet s.a.w. also succeeded to establish an Islamic
state, hence contribute to the spread of Islam to new
areas within and beyond the Arab Peninsula.

Among the factors contributing to the success of Prophet

s.a.w. in establishing an Islamic state are as follows :

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First: The leadership of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.. The
strength of his leadership was evident from his willingness
to sacrifice everything for the cause of Islam. He was very
patient in fulfilling his duties and he continually planned for
the survival and spread of Islam and its teachings.

He was also a leader who was foresighted and intelligent

leader. Before deciding to migrate, he had studied and
searched for the most strategic place for Islam to spread.

The second factor is the resolve of the Muhajirin people

i.e. those who left their homeland Mecca for Medina. The
answered the call of Rasulullah s.a.w. to migrate to
Medina for the cause of Islam. They willingly left their
homes and wealth solely to get the blessings and pleasure
of Allah al-Mighty.

Third: The unity of the Muslims upon the establishment of

the Islamic state in Medina. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w put
in all efforts to unite the Muhajirin and Ansar, the tribes of
Aus and Khazraj so that the ummah will be one. No nation
can be developed and sustain growth, unless it is blessed
with peace and harmony.

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The fourth and last factor is the help from Allah al-Mighty.
For any effort to be successful, it needs to get the help
from Allah. What more if the efforts are for His cause, to
spread His word and to uphold the teachings of Prophet
Muhammad s.a.w.

Allah mentions in Surah Ali Imran verse 160 meaning:

If Allah is your helper none can overcome you, and if He

withdraw His help from you, who is there who can help
you after Him? In Allah let believers put their trust.

Dear Brothers,

We need to reflect deeply into the sacrifices of our

Beloved Prophet in the Hijrah episode. This will be a great
motivator for all our dakwah efforts and work. Patience
and sacrifice are keys to the faith of Rasulullah s.a.w in
the hijrah. Such contributions and sacrifices, and which
include sacrifices of energy and wealth, that has been
shown by Rasulullah s.a.w. is a great lesson for us all.

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As Muslims, let us learn more on Islamic history, and learn
to reflect on the lessons that Islamic history has for us all.
By learning and practicing what has been learnt, we will
be able to move a step closer to become a Muslim
community of excellence, and hence we will be
contributors to the development and progress of the
nation.