Reading and reflecting on the Prophet's Hijrah from Makkah to Madinah, I see "real" hope is present in most, if not all, its events and scenes. Prophet Muhammad, the most successful and effective teacher that humanity has ever known, never lost hope in Allah's help and in spreading Islam—with its peaceful and just message—all over the world.
Before the Hijrah, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his followers faced the most brutal and merciless persecution and hostilities at the hands of the unbelievers of Quraysh, the Prophet's tribe. The Prophet, however, never lost hope in disseminating the noble message of Islam. Rather, he used to encourage his followers to keep patient and forbearing in the hardest and most difficult times while anticipating Allah's help and assistance.
Khabbab ibn Al-Arrat narrated: We complained to Allah's Messenger (about the unbelievers' persecution and brutality against Muslims) while he was leaning against his sheet cloak in the shade of the Ka`bah. We said, "Will you ask Allah to help us? Will you invoke Allah for us?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Among those who were before you (a believer) used to be seized and, a pit used to be dug for him and then he used to be placed in it. Then a saw used to be brought and put on his head which would be split into two halves. His flesh used to be combed with iron combs and removed from his bones, yet, all that did not cause him to revert from his religion. By Allah! This religion (Islam) will be completed (and triumph) till a rider (traveler) goes from San`a' (the capital of Yemen) to Hadramout fearing nobody except Allah and the wolf lest it should trouble his sheep, but you are impatient." (Al-Bukhari)
So, in the midst of trials and tribulations, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave them the glad tiding that a day will soon come when Islam will spread and people will be secure and safe everywhere. The Prophet's heart was so full with hope and trust in Allah, even in the hardest times, that he used to see the victory of Islam as being very close. This, however, never made him fall short from working hard to achieve his goals.
On seeing his followers facing the most harsh treatment from the unbelievers of Quraysh, who fought the noble message of Islam by all possible means, Prophet Muhammad migrated to At-Ta'if to find supporters for the new call. Unfortunately, the people of Ta'if were not less than the unbelievers of Quraysh in harshness and hostility towards the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Nevertheless, the Prophet never lost hope and continued conveying the noble message as best as he could.
The Prophet's Hijrah from Makkah to Madinah shows how much his heart was filled with hope and trust in Allah. When he (peace and blessings be upon him) and his closest friend, Abu Bakr, left for Madinah, the unbelievers of Quraysh decided to block all roads leading out of Makkah and imposed heavy armed surveillance over all potential exits. A price of 100 camels was set upon the head of each one. Horsemen, infantry and tracks tracers scoured the country. Once, they even managed to reach the mouth of the cave where the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and Abu Bakr were hiding. When Abu Bakr saw the enemy at a very close distance, he whispered to the Prophet, "If any of them should look under his feet, he would see us." He (peace and blessings be upon him) calmed him, saying, "O Abu Bakr! What do you think of two (persons) the third of whom is Allah?" (Al-Bukhari)
Another brilliant scene that shows the Prophet's hope and full trust in Allah is the incident involving Suraqah ibm Malik. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: Suraqah ibn Malik followed us and I said, "We have been caught, O Allah's Messenger!' He said, "Don't grieve for Allah is with us." The Prophet invoked evil on him (i.e., Suraqah) and so the legs of his horse sank into the earth up to its belly. Suraqah then said, "I see that you have invoked evil on me. Please invoke good on me, and by Allah, I will cause those who are seeking after you to return." The Prophet invoked good on him and he was saved. Then, whenever he met someone on the way, he would say, 'I have looked for him here in vain.' So he caused whomever he met to return. Thus Suraqah fulfilled his promise. (Al-Bukhari) Some reports, furthermore, say that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) promised Suraqah the bracelet of Kisra, the King of the Persians. (See Ash-Shafi`i's Al-Umm).
The Hijrah as such implants real and unshaken hope in our hearts. Let's therefore work hard to change and improve our conditions and the status quo of our Ummah. This is possible, in sha' Allah, but it needs faith and constant efforts. Every member of the Muslim Ummah should play a role in making Islam regain its real position in the world. We should never lose hope in achieving this. This is a significant lesson from the Prophet's (peace and blessings be on him) Hijrah.
Hope is what we all need. A good practicing Muslim should be motivated by hope to bring himself closer to Allah. A sinful man should never lose hope in gaining Allah's forgiveness and pardon; he should not despair of Allah's mercy which is close to all penitent servants. Scholars and reformers should spare no efforts—motivated with this hope—to reform Muslim communities and spread peace and justice all over the world.
May Allah guide us all to what pleases Him and grant us happiness in this world and in the Hereafter.
Wael `Abdel-Mut`aal Shihab is the deputy managing editor of the IOL Shari`ah Department (English). He graduated from Al-Azhar University and got his master's from Al-Azhar in Islamic studies with a major in Islamic jurisprudence and its principles. He is working on his doctorate in the principles of Islamic jurisprudence.
Before the Hijrah, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and his followers faced the most brutal and merciless persecution and hostilities at the hands of the unbelievers of Quraysh, the Prophet's tribe. The Prophet, however, never lost hope in disseminating the noble message of Islam. Rather, he used to encourage his followers to keep patient and forbearing in the hardest and most difficult times while anticipating Allah's help and assistance.
Khabbab ibn Al-Arrat narrated: We complained to Allah's Messenger (about the unbelievers' persecution and brutality against Muslims) while he was leaning against his sheet cloak in the shade of the Ka`bah. We said, "Will you ask Allah to help us? Will you invoke Allah for us?" He (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Among those who were before you (a believer) used to be seized and, a pit used to be dug for him and then he used to be placed in it. Then a saw used to be brought and put on his head which would be split into two halves. His flesh used to be combed with iron combs and removed from his bones, yet, all that did not cause him to revert from his religion. By Allah! This religion (Islam) will be completed (and triumph) till a rider (traveler) goes from San`a' (the capital of Yemen) to Hadramout fearing nobody except Allah and the wolf lest it should trouble his sheep, but you are impatient." (Al-Bukhari)
So, in the midst of trials and tribulations, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) gave them the glad tiding that a day will soon come when Islam will spread and people will be secure and safe everywhere. The Prophet's heart was so full with hope and trust in Allah, even in the hardest times, that he used to see the victory of Islam as being very close. This, however, never made him fall short from working hard to achieve his goals.
On seeing his followers facing the most harsh treatment from the unbelievers of Quraysh, who fought the noble message of Islam by all possible means, Prophet Muhammad migrated to At-Ta'if to find supporters for the new call. Unfortunately, the people of Ta'if were not less than the unbelievers of Quraysh in harshness and hostility towards the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Nevertheless, the Prophet never lost hope and continued conveying the noble message as best as he could.
The Prophet's Hijrah from Makkah to Madinah shows how much his heart was filled with hope and trust in Allah. When he (peace and blessings be upon him) and his closest friend, Abu Bakr, left for Madinah, the unbelievers of Quraysh decided to block all roads leading out of Makkah and imposed heavy armed surveillance over all potential exits. A price of 100 camels was set upon the head of each one. Horsemen, infantry and tracks tracers scoured the country. Once, they even managed to reach the mouth of the cave where the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and Abu Bakr were hiding. When Abu Bakr saw the enemy at a very close distance, he whispered to the Prophet, "If any of them should look under his feet, he would see us." He (peace and blessings be upon him) calmed him, saying, "O Abu Bakr! What do you think of two (persons) the third of whom is Allah?" (Al-Bukhari)
Another brilliant scene that shows the Prophet's hope and full trust in Allah is the incident involving Suraqah ibm Malik. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: Suraqah ibn Malik followed us and I said, "We have been caught, O Allah's Messenger!' He said, "Don't grieve for Allah is with us." The Prophet invoked evil on him (i.e., Suraqah) and so the legs of his horse sank into the earth up to its belly. Suraqah then said, "I see that you have invoked evil on me. Please invoke good on me, and by Allah, I will cause those who are seeking after you to return." The Prophet invoked good on him and he was saved. Then, whenever he met someone on the way, he would say, 'I have looked for him here in vain.' So he caused whomever he met to return. Thus Suraqah fulfilled his promise. (Al-Bukhari) Some reports, furthermore, say that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) promised Suraqah the bracelet of Kisra, the King of the Persians. (See Ash-Shafi`i's Al-Umm).
The Hijrah as such implants real and unshaken hope in our hearts. Let's therefore work hard to change and improve our conditions and the status quo of our Ummah. This is possible, in sha' Allah, but it needs faith and constant efforts. Every member of the Muslim Ummah should play a role in making Islam regain its real position in the world. We should never lose hope in achieving this. This is a significant lesson from the Prophet's (peace and blessings be on him) Hijrah.
Hope is what we all need. A good practicing Muslim should be motivated by hope to bring himself closer to Allah. A sinful man should never lose hope in gaining Allah's forgiveness and pardon; he should not despair of Allah's mercy which is close to all penitent servants. Scholars and reformers should spare no efforts—motivated with this hope—to reform Muslim communities and spread peace and justice all over the world.
May Allah guide us all to what pleases Him and grant us happiness in this world and in the Hereafter.
Wael `Abdel-Mut`aal Shihab is the deputy managing editor of the IOL Shari`ah Department (English). He graduated from Al-Azhar University and got his master's from Al-Azhar in Islamic studies with a major in Islamic jurisprudence and its principles. He is working on his doctorate in the principles of Islamic jurisprudence.
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