What is Hijrah -
Hijrah/pjrocker2
Very few Muslims have the chance to migrate to an Islamic country for the sake of Allah. Hijrah after oppression leads to martyrdom.
Many people will move to another country and will be called expats. Many will leave their home countries for job, marriage and even to avoid taxes, but few will love Allah so much to make Hijrah. Migrating for the sake of Allah is called Hijrah.
Migrating (Hijrah) to follow the Sunnah
Migrating for the sake of Allah entails following what Prophet Mohammad has done. It is imperative for each Muslim to look inside the heart and earnestly try to follow the Sunnah (ways of the prophet) and Allah will provide the funds. It is better to follow the Sunnah and be poor then to live off of haram (forbidden) money.
The whole concept of monotheism is to depend on Allah totally and cling only to Allah. If the Muslim is unable to migrate or make hijrah, then ask for forgiveness. Any Muslim who chooses to live with non-believers is one of them according to Prophet Mohammad.
The prophet stated, “I am not responsible for any Muslim who stays among polytheists. They asked: 'Why, Apostle of Allah? He said: ‘Their fires should not be visible to one another.’, and he (peace be upon him*) said, “Who joins the polytheists and lives with them then he is like them” and he (peace be upon him*) said: “Migration will not end until repentance ends, and repentance will not end until the sun rises in the west.”
For this reason and many other hadiths, Muslims are encouraged to migrate to a Muslim country if possible.
Following the prophet and Allah and forsaking family, money and children are part of this sacrifice that will gain the Muslim a high rank in heaven. If the son is needed by the parents for support, the son migrating is excused.
Desiring Hijrah to be Shaheed (Martyr)
Muslims believe that martyrdom comes to very few and those who choose the Sunnah (way of the prophet) and migrate to an Islamic country, may be granted martyrdom or be in the ranks of the shaheed. What privilege is there for those who choose this way of life? First and foremost is to go to heaven without any accounting asked of them as did Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr was a companion of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him*) and the second Caliph of Islam, after the death of the prophet.
This type of martyrdom can be compared with those exiled to Abyssinia and then to Medina and those who left with the prophet when migrating to Medina. What constitutes oppression? According to the sharia, not being able to worship fully in a country without any oppression, such as hearing the adhan and not being harassed because of Islam or clothing that is worn.
"To those who leave their homes in the cause of Allah, after suffering oppression, - We will assuredly give a goodly home in this world; but truly the reward of the Hereafter will be greater. If they only realized (this)!" (Sura Al-Nahl, verse 16)
There is no merit in suffering exile (hijrah) in itself. To have any merit, it must be:
Migration Because of Oppression and Anger
In today's world many Muslims are oppressed on a daily basis in most non-Islamic countries. This is why the sharia (Islamic law) has said there are only three reasons to remain in a non-Islamic country:
A Muslim is a symbol of what Islam is, so even thought there is torture, oppression and attacks, the devout Muslim must follow the Sunnah and do as the prophet would have done. It is imperative not to get angry.
According to Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him*) "Verily, Allah has ordered me to join (seek to make relations amicable) with the one who has cut me off, to forgive the one who wronged me, and to give to the one who refused me.”
Looking further to what the Quran has to say read:
There are many types of martyrs in Islam. Most commonly think of martyrs who die in battle, but there are more, such as the Muslim who migrates to a Muslim country after oppression. Muslims who are drowned, die in fire, child birth, tuberculosis, plaque or from stomach disease are also considered martyrs.
Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him *) replied: “He who is killed in the way of Allah is a martyr; he who dies naturally in the Cause of Allah is a martyr; he who dies of plague is a martyr; and he who dies of a stomach disease is a martyr; and he who is drowned is a martyr.”
[Muslim].
Warnings About Migrating to Muslim Countries
Both woman and men may have problems living in a Muslim country due to state laws about migrating expats. Even though the country is a Muslim country, it is best to check all government requirements before planning hijrah or migration to an Islamic country. A woman cannot apply for citizenship alone, and couples will need a home, jobs and funds to live on.
Although the way is full of problems and tests, it is sunnah to migrate to a Muslim country and the reward is jannah (heaven). A martyr is someone who dies strictly for the pleasure of Allah.
*Muslims invoke Allah's blessings on the Prophet Muhammad whenever this name is mentioned.
Resources
"Hijrah: Migration for the Cause of Allah," Mission Islam
Many people will move to another country and will be called expats. Many will leave their home countries for job, marriage and even to avoid taxes, but few will love Allah so much to make Hijrah. Migrating for the sake of Allah is called Hijrah.
Migrating (Hijrah) to follow the Sunnah
Migrating for the sake of Allah entails following what Prophet Mohammad has done. It is imperative for each Muslim to look inside the heart and earnestly try to follow the Sunnah (ways of the prophet) and Allah will provide the funds. It is better to follow the Sunnah and be poor then to live off of haram (forbidden) money.
The whole concept of monotheism is to depend on Allah totally and cling only to Allah. If the Muslim is unable to migrate or make hijrah, then ask for forgiveness. Any Muslim who chooses to live with non-believers is one of them according to Prophet Mohammad.
The prophet stated, “I am not responsible for any Muslim who stays among polytheists. They asked: 'Why, Apostle of Allah? He said: ‘Their fires should not be visible to one another.’, and he (peace be upon him*) said, “Who joins the polytheists and lives with them then he is like them” and he (peace be upon him*) said: “Migration will not end until repentance ends, and repentance will not end until the sun rises in the west.”
For this reason and many other hadiths, Muslims are encouraged to migrate to a Muslim country if possible.
Following the prophet and Allah and forsaking family, money and children are part of this sacrifice that will gain the Muslim a high rank in heaven. If the son is needed by the parents for support, the son migrating is excused.
Desiring Hijrah to be Shaheed (Martyr)
Muslims believe that martyrdom comes to very few and those who choose the Sunnah (way of the prophet) and migrate to an Islamic country, may be granted martyrdom or be in the ranks of the shaheed. What privilege is there for those who choose this way of life? First and foremost is to go to heaven without any accounting asked of them as did Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr was a companion of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him*) and the second Caliph of Islam, after the death of the prophet.
This type of martyrdom can be compared with those exiled to Abyssinia and then to Medina and those who left with the prophet when migrating to Medina. What constitutes oppression? According to the sharia, not being able to worship fully in a country without any oppression, such as hearing the adhan and not being harassed because of Islam or clothing that is worn.
"To those who leave their homes in the cause of Allah, after suffering oppression, - We will assuredly give a goodly home in this world; but truly the reward of the Hereafter will be greater. If they only realized (this)!" (Sura Al-Nahl, verse 16)
There is no merit in suffering exile (hijrah) in itself. To have any merit, it must be:
- In the cause of Allah.
- After such oppression as forces the sufferer to chose between Allah and man.
Migration Because of Oppression and Anger
In today's world many Muslims are oppressed on a daily basis in most non-Islamic countries. This is why the sharia (Islamic law) has said there are only three reasons to remain in a non-Islamic country:
- College or University study not available in a Muslim country.
- Daawa or working to spread the word of Islam
- Medicine or hospitalization for an illness not treatable in a Muslim country.
A Muslim is a symbol of what Islam is, so even thought there is torture, oppression and attacks, the devout Muslim must follow the Sunnah and do as the prophet would have done. It is imperative not to get angry.
According to Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him*) "Verily, Allah has ordered me to join (seek to make relations amicable) with the one who has cut me off, to forgive the one who wronged me, and to give to the one who refused me.”
Looking further to what the Quran has to say read:
- “Those who repress anger; and who pardon men, verily, Allah loves the good-doers.” Sura Al-Imran – Verse 134.
- “But whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah.” Sura Ash-Shura – Verse 40.
There are many types of martyrs in Islam. Most commonly think of martyrs who die in battle, but there are more, such as the Muslim who migrates to a Muslim country after oppression. Muslims who are drowned, die in fire, child birth, tuberculosis, plaque or from stomach disease are also considered martyrs.
Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him *) replied: “He who is killed in the way of Allah is a martyr; he who dies naturally in the Cause of Allah is a martyr; he who dies of plague is a martyr; and he who dies of a stomach disease is a martyr; and he who is drowned is a martyr.”
[Muslim].
Warnings About Migrating to Muslim Countries
Both woman and men may have problems living in a Muslim country due to state laws about migrating expats. Even though the country is a Muslim country, it is best to check all government requirements before planning hijrah or migration to an Islamic country. A woman cannot apply for citizenship alone, and couples will need a home, jobs and funds to live on.
Although the way is full of problems and tests, it is sunnah to migrate to a Muslim country and the reward is jannah (heaven). A martyr is someone who dies strictly for the pleasure of Allah.
*Muslims invoke Allah's blessings on the Prophet Muhammad whenever this name is mentioned.
Resources
"Hijrah: Migration for the Cause of Allah," Mission Islam