Showing posts with label Makkah. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Makkah. Show all posts

A Brief Discussion on Hijrah


A Brief Discussion on Hijrah. In his explanation (sharh) of Imaam Muhammad bin 'Abdil-Wahhaab's treatise Thalaathat-ul-Usool, Shaikh 'Abdur-Rahmaan bin Qaasim [Died 1392H], may Allah have mercy on him, said:

The author states: “Hijrah means: Moving from a Land of Shirk to a Land of Islam.” This is in order to preserve one’s religion. The Muhaajireen (migrants) were called by this name because they left behind their lands and homes where they had grown up, for the sake of Allah, and instead joined a land in which they had no family or wealth. This was the case when they migrated to Madeenah. Therefore, everyone that separates himself from his homeland is a Muhaajir (migrant). The root of the word “Muhaajarah” comes from breaking away, separating oneself and remaining far away from somebody.

The author says: “It is obligatory upon this ummah to migrate from a Land of Shirk to a Land of Islam.” This is affirmed by the Book, the Sunnah and the unanimous consensus of the scholars. The one who abandons Hijrah is threatened with punishment. Several scholars have relayed that there is consensus on the obligation of Hijrah from the Land of Shirk to the Land of Islam. In fact, Allah obligated the Hijrah upon His Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and his Companions before He obligated fasting and Hajj, as is agreed upon in the books of principles and subsidiary issues, and well known from the Religion by necessity.

His statement: “And this is everlasting until the (Final) Hour is established” is based on the unanimous agreement of the trustworthy scholars. Shaikh-ul-Islam (Ibn Taimiyyah) said: “One cannot be safe from Shirk unless he remains far away from its adherents.”

The author continues: “The proof for this is Allah’s saying: “Verily, as for those whom the angels take (in death) while they are wronging themselves…” i.e. by residing amidst the disbelievers. This ayah was revealed concerning a group of people from the inhabitants of Makkah who professed Islam but yet did not migrate. So Allah says: “Verily, as for those whom the angels take (in death).” He is either referring to the Angel of Death and his supporters or just the Angel of Death alone, since the Arabs would speak to one person using the plural form. “…while they are wronging themselves…” by abandoning Hijrah. “They (angels) will say (to them): ‘In what (condition) were you?’” Meaning: Why did you keep living here and not make Hijrah? This is a rebuking, reprimanding, and scolding type of question. Its meaning is: Why did you continue to live here and not make Hijrah? Which side were you on? This is even though the angels know well what side those who didn’t make Hijrah, after it was obligated on them, were on.

Allaah’s saying: “We were weak and oppressed in the earth" means: “We were not able to make Hijrah. We did not have the ability to leave our land nor to travel through the earth.”

“They (angels) will say: ‘Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to migrate therein?’” This refers to Madeenah – such that they migrate to it and abandon the people of Shirk. The angels did not accept their excuse. And in a hadeeth, it states: “Whoever commingles with a polytheist and resides with him, then he is indeed like him.” [Reported by Abu Dawood and others in various ahaadeeth]

Concerning Allah’s statement: “…Such men will find their abode in Hell – what an evil destination”, this means: What an evil path to Hell. This shows that the one who abandons Hijrah after it has been made obligatory on him is committing one of the major sins.

Allaah’s saying: “…Except the weak ones among men, and women and children…” refers to those who are unable to perform the Hijrah. The word “children” here refers to both male and female children before the age of puberty.

“Who cannot devise a plan” means: To separate themselves from the polytheists. So these types of people cannot devise a plan or do not have monetary means or power to leave. “Nor are they able to direct their way” means: They do not know of any way to leave from Makkah to Madeenah, since it had become a land of Islam.

“These are the ones whom Allah is (most) likely to forgive” meaning: He will pardon those who failed to make Hijrah due to weakness and valid excuses. When Allah uses “likely” for Himself, it is binding since it is something He desires.

“And Allah is Ever Oft-Pardoning, Most Forgiving.” This means that He is Oft-Pardoning, overlooking their trespasses, and Most Forgiving to those who turn to Him in repentance. He does not burden a soul with a responsibility except that He gave it the ability to handle it.

Ibn ‘Abbaas said: “My mother and I used to be from among the weak ones, and the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) would supplicate for the weak ones while in prayer.”

Allaah says: “O My servants who believe (in Me)! Verily, My earth is spacious.” Allah orders His believing servants to migrate from the land in which they are not able to establish the Religion to His vast earth. So He informs us that the earth is not constricted, but rather vast, encompassing all of the creatures. If a person is in a land in which he cannot openly practice his Religion, then indeed Allah has made the earth vast for him so that he could worship him in it as He has commanded him.

Hijrah is likewise obligatory upon everyone that resides in a land in which sins are openly committed and he is not able to change that. Allah then says: “So to Me alone, perform your worship.” This means: “Single Me out in worship in My vast earth, which I created as well as everything upon it for you. And I created you upon it to worship Me.”

In a qudsee hadeeth, Allah says: “Son of Adam, I created you for My sake (i.e. to worship Me.), and I created all things for your sake.”

The author states: “Al-Baghawee, may Allah have mercy on him, said…” His nickname was Muhyee-us-Sunnah, Abu Muhammad Al-Husayn bin Mas’ood Al-Faraa’. He was the author of the Tafseer, Sharh-us-Sunnah and other books. He passed away in 516H.

He (i.e. Al-Baghawee) said: ‘The reason for the revelation of this ayah was due to some Muslims who had resided in Makkah and did not migrate (to Madeenah). Allah called out to them using the title of Eemaan (for them).” He reported this on a group amongst the Taabi’een. So he is implying that the one who abandons Hijrah after it has been made obligatory on him is not a disbeliever. Rather, he is sinful and disobedient by having abandoned it. So he is still a believer, but yet has deficient Eemaan. Therefore, he is one of the sinful believers.

The author (i.e. Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab) continues: “The proof for Hijrah from the Sunnah is…”, i.e. proof for the obligation of performing Hijrah from the Land of Shirk to the Land of Islam from the Sunnah of Muhammad (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), which we were ordered to follow.

The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “Hijrah will not cease until repentance ceases…” This means: Migrating from the Land of Shirk to the Land of Islam will not come to an end until the repentance comes to an end, i.e. until repentance ceases to be accepted from those who repent. This hadeeth shows that so long as repentance is accepted, Hijrah is obligatory due to its presence.

As for the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas: “There is no (more) Hijrah after the Conquest (of Makkah), but instead Jihaadand (good) intention” then what this means is: “There is no (more) Hijrah after the Conquest of Makkah from Makkah to Madeenah since Makkah had become a Land of Islam after it was conquered. This was since a group of people wanted to migrate from Makkah to Madeenah thinking that this was something encouraged. So the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) explained to them that he only encouraged this when Makkah was a Land of Disbelief. But as for when it became a Land of Islam, then it did not apply anymore. So this means: “There is no (more) Hijrah from Makkah to Madeenah.” But as for the establishment and continuity of Hijrah from the Lands of Shirk to the Lands of Islam, then this is well-known by way of the texts and unanimous agreement.


READ MORE - A Brief Discussion on Hijrah

Related to Hijrah


Related to Hijrah. Related to Hijrah and Separating from the Lands of Shirk. Allah says: "Verily, as for those whom the angels take (in death) while they are wronging themselves (by not performing Hijrah), they (angels) will say (to them): 'In what (condition) were you?' They will reply: 'We were weak and oppressed in the earth.' They (angels) will say: 'Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to migrate therein?' Such men will find their abode in Hell - what an evil destination! Except the weak ones among men, women and children who cannot devise a plan, nor are they able to direct their way. These are the ones whom Allah is (most) likely to forgive, and Allah is Ever Oft-Pardoning, Most Forgiving. And whosoever migrates in the Way of Allah, he will find many dwelling places and plenty (of sustenance) to live by. And whosoever leaves his home as an emigrant unto Allah and his Messenger, and death overtakes him, his reward is then surely incumbent upon Allah. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." [Surat-un-Nisaa: 97-100]

The following occurs in Tafseer Al-Qurtubee: "Ibn Al-'Arabee (rahimahullaah) said: 'The scholars have divided traveling to different lands into two categories: 1) that which is done as a result of fleeing and 2) that which is done for the purpose of seeking. The first category is further divided into six types:

1. Hijrah - and that is migrating from the Land of War (Daar-ul-Harb) to the land of the Muslims. This type of Hijrah was obligatory during the Prophet's time and remains obligatory until the Day of Judgement…
2. Leaving from the land of innovation (bid'ah).
3. Migrating from the land where the unlawful is dominant and widespread.
4. Fleeing away from that which is harmful to one's body.
5. The fear of getting sick in a land that has an unhealthy atmosphere and emerging from there to a land in which one can walk freely outside (without getting sick).
6. Fleeing for fear that harm will be inflicted upon one's wealth."

Al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) said in his Tafseer: "Ad-Dahhaak said: 'This ayah was revealed concerning a group of people among the hypocrites who remained in Makkah instead of going with the Messenger of Allah (to Madeenah). They ended up fighting alongside the disbelievers on the Day of Al-Badr and were destroyed along with those who were destroyed.’ Thus this noble ayah was revealed, generally applying to everyone that resides amongst the disbelievers, whilst possessing the ability to make Hijrah and not being able to establish his Religion in that land. Thus he is oppressing himself and committing the forbidden. This is based on the consensus of the scholars, and also on the wording found in this ayah, such that He says 'Verily, as for those whom the angels take (in death) while they are wronging themselves' because of their not performing Hijrah. 'They will say: In what (condition) were you?' meaning: ‘Why did you reside here and not make Hijrah?' Concerning His statement: "And whosoever migrates in the Way of Allah, he will find many dwelling places and plenty (of sustenance) to live by", this is an incitement towards performing Hijrah and withdrawing from the disbelievers."

Imaam Al-Aloosee (rahimahullaah) said in Rooh-ul-Ma'aanee after quoting Allah's statement: "Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to migrate therein?":

"Some of the scholars use this ayah as evidence for the obligation of performing Hijrah (migration) from the place in which an individual is not capable of establishing his Religion. This is the opinion of Imaam Maalik. Ibn Al-'Arabee has also reported the obligation of making Hijrah from a land that is plague-stricken."

The following occurs in the book Al-'Ibrah mimmaa Jaa'a bil-Ghazwi wash-Shahaadati wal-Hijrah of Abu At-Tayyib Sideeq Hasan [Khaan] Al-Bukhaaree (rahimahullaah): "This ayah can be used as evidence for the obligation of Hijrah on every individual that resides in the Land of Shirk or in the land in which acts of disobedience to Allah are being committed openly. This is on the condition that one has the ability to perform Hijrah and he is not from those who are weak, based on the generality that occurs in this ayah, even though the cause for the revelation of the ayah was specific according to what was stated previously. What is apparent is that there is no distinction between one place and another place nor between one period of time and another period of time."

In the same page, the following also occurs: "Allah says: 'And whosoever migrates in the Way of Allah, he will find many dwelling places and plenty (of sustenance) to live by.' When this ayah was revealed, a group of Muslims migrated to the land of Abyssinia, while another group, which included the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), stayed behind. They then performed the Hijrah (migration) to the honorable city of Madeenah and Hijrah became obligatory upon every individual that was oppressed and not able to manifest his Religion openly."

Allah says: "Verily, those who believed and migrated (made Hijrah) and strove hard in Jihaad with their wealth and their lives in the Cause of Allah, as well as those who gave them asylum and help; these are all allies to one another. And as for those who believed but did not migrate, you owe no duty of protection to them until they migrate. But if they seek your help in Religion, it is your duty to help them except against a people with whom you have a treaty of mutual agreement. And Allah sees all that you do. And those who disbelieve, they are allies of one another. And if you (Muslims) do not do so (i.e. become allies of one another under one leader, Khaleefah, to make Allah's Religion victorious) there will be fitnah (i.e. wars and bloodshed) on the earth and great corruption (appearance of Shirk)" [Surat-ul-Anfaal: 72-73 ]

Imaam Ash-Shawkaanee (rahimahullaah) said in his book, Nail-ul-Awtaar:
"Al-Khattaabee said: 'Indeed, Hijrah became obligatory when the Prophet (saallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) migrated to Madeenah, (as well as his companions) to his presence so that they may fight along his side and learn the tenets of their Religion from him. Allah affirms this in many ayaat of the Qur'aan, to the point that He cuts off the trust of alliance between the one who migrates and the one who doesn't migrate. He says 'And as for those who believed but did not migrate, you owe no duty of protection to them until they migrate.' So when Makkah was conquered and people from every tribe began to enter into the fold of Islaam, the obligatory form of Hijrah came to an end and that form, which was recommended, (only) remained."

Al-Baghawee (rahimahullaah) said in Sharh-us-Sunnah: "It is possible to combine the texts from another angle, thus his (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) statement: 'There is no (more) Hijrah after the Conquest' refers to the ‘Hijrah’ from Makkah to Madeenah."

Al-Haafidh Ibn Katheer (rahimahullaah) said in his Tafseer: "The meaning of His saying: 'And if you (Muslims) do not do so, there will be fitnah on the earth and great corruption' is: 'You must disassociate yourselves from the disbelievers and make an alliance with the believers. And if you fail to do so, then fitnah will befall the people’ – and that (fitnah) means confusion and intermingling between the believers and the disbelievers. Then there will result (from that) widespread and overflowing corruption amongst mankind."

Imaam Al-Aloosee (rahimahullaah) said: "'There will be fitnah on the earth' means that great tribulations will occur as a result of that, which consist of differing in opinion, weakness in Eemaan and an open manifestation of disbelief. 'And great corruption' means the shedding of blood (illegally) based on what has been reported on Al-Hasan. Thus, the understanding is that there will be a great corruption in that."

Concerning Allah's statement: "Verily, those who believed and migrated (made Hijrah)", Al-Aloosee said: "They are the Muhaajiroon -- those who migrated for the sake of Allah from their homes in their motherland, and left them for their enemies (to possess)."

Ibn 'Abbaas (Radyallahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "There is no (more) Hijrah after the Conquest, but instead Jihaad and good intention. And if you should find any disagreement, then flee (away from it)." [Reported by Al-Bukhaaree (1834) and Muslim (1864) from the hadeeth of Aa’isha. This wording is its complete form. However, In Saheeh Muslim (1353) from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas, it occurs without the mention of “after Hijrah”.]

It is stated in Tuhfat-ul-Ahwadhee: "'There is no (more) Hijrah after the Conquest' refers to (the Hijrah) made from Makkah. Al-Khattaabee and others said: ‘In the initial stages of Islaam, Hijrah (migration) used to be obligatory upon everyone that accepted Islaam, due to the few amount of Muslims that resided in Madeenah and their need to gather together in unity. However, when Allah opened Makkah for conquest, the people entered the fold of Islaam in multitudes. Thus the obligation of migrating to Madeenah was cancelled and the obligation of Jihaad and good intention remained obligatory upon whoever rose for its occasion or had an enemy attack him.’"

It also states: "The wisdom behind the obligation of Hijrah upon the one who accepted Islaam, also, was so that he may be safe from the abuse of his disbelieving relatives. For indeed, they used to torture those from their ranks that had accepted Islaam, until they apostated from their Religion back to theirs. This type of Hijrah continued with the same ruling (obligatory) in regards to everyone that accepted Islaam while residing in the lands of disbelief and having the ability to leave from there. Concerning 'But only Jihaad and good intention', At-Teebee said: 'This rectification calls for opposing the ruling that comes after it in favor of what comes before it. The understanding of this statement is that the Hijrah – which is withdrawing away from one’s homeland – which was required upon every individual to perform to Madeenah, came to an end, except for the withdrawing that was done for the purpose of making Jihaad, which remained existent, as well as the withdrawing that was done due to the pure intention, such as fleeing from the lands of disbelief, migrating for the sake of seeking knowledge and fleeing away from trials for the sake of one’s Religion. The intention is included in all of these aspects."

It is stated in Badhl-ul-Majhood fee Halli Abee Dawood: "As for his (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) second statement,[15] then its meaning is: 'Hijrah (migrating) from the lands of disbelief to the lands of Islaam will not cease until the Day of Judgement.'" [Badhl-ul-Majhood fee Halli Abee Dawood (11/372) ]

There also occurs in it, the following: "The following statement is quoted from Al-Khattaabee in the book Al-Haashiyah: 'In the first days of Islaam, Hijrah used to be obligatory, then it became recommended. This occurs in the statement of Allah: 'And whosoever migrates in the Way of Allah, he will find many dwelling places and plenty (of sustenance) to live by'. This ayah was revealed after the Prophet had moved his residence to Madeenah and when the disbelievers' abuse of the Muslims (in Makkah) became severe. Thus, they as well, were commanded to change their residence and migrate to his presence. This was in order that they may be with him (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), so that they can support one another if matters were to worsen and so that they could acquire knowledge of the aspects of the Religion from him and better understand it. The biggest fear at that time was from the Quraysh tribe and the people that dwelled amongst the residents of Makkah.

So when Makkah was conquered, this understanding came to an end and the obligation of Hijrah was uplifted, and it returned to being recommended. Thus there are two types of Hijrah. The one that came to an end was the one that was obligatory and the one that remained was the one that was recommended.’"

Samurah Ibn Jundub (Radyallaahu ‘anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "Whoever keeps intimate relations with a disbeliever and resides with him, then he is just like him." [Reported by Abu Dawood and others. It is a hasan hadeeth. See As-Saheehah (no. 2330)]

It is stated in Nail-ul-Awtaar: “In this (hadeeth) is evidence for the forbiddance of residing with the disbelievers and the obligation of separating away from them."

Jareer Ibn 'Abdillaah reported that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "I am free from every Muslim that establishes his residence amongst the disbelievers." They (the Sahaabah) said: "O Messenger of Allah, why?" He said: "Their two (household) fires must not look towards (i.e. face) each other.” [Reported by Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidhee and others and it is a saheeh hadeeth. See the checking in Irwaa-ul-Ghaleel (1207)]

Ibn Al-Atheer (rahimahullaah) said in An-Nihaayah: “This means that it is required as well as obligatory upon a Muslim to keep a large distance between his place of residence and the disbeliever's place of residence. The place where he kindles his (household) fire must not be established in a way so that it is visible and apparent to the fire of the disbeliever, since it is the fire that is kindled inside the place of residence (to keep warm). Instead he should establish his home in the land of the Muslims. Indeed, it is only hated for someone to live next to the disbelievers because there is no covenant or trust with them. Due to this, the Muslims are strongly urged to make Hijrah.”

And he (rahimahullaah) said: "Their two fires differ, for this one calls towards Allah while the other one calls towards the Shaytaan (Devil), so how can they be in agreement?"

Jareer (Radyallahu ‘anhu) reported: "I gave the oath of allegiance to the Messenger of Allah that I would establish the prayer, pay the Zakaat, give sincere advice to every Muslim and that I would disassociate myself from every disbeliever." [Reported by An-Nasaa'ee and others and it is a saheeh hadeeth. See its checking in Irwaa-ul-Ghaleel (5/31) ]

It is stated in the book Al-'Ibrah: "Ibn Hajr Al-Makkee said in his Fataawaa regarding hadeeth: 'This hadeeth’s meaning is that it is required for every Muslim to keep his place of residence far away from the places of residence of the disbelievers, meaning those who are at war with the Muslims. Nor should he establish his home in a place, in which if he sets up a fire (to warm himself), it would be visible and apparent to the fire that they have kindled in their homes (to keep themselves warm). This is because when he (a Muslim) has his fire face the other fires, it becomes counted as being one amongst them. It has been agreed upon that Hijrah is obligatory along with certain conditions, from the land that is at war with the Muslims. The source for mentioning the ‘two fires’ looking towards each other is a figurative expression derived from the saying: ‘My home is looking out towards such and such person's home’, meaning it is facing it.

The reason for the relation between the cause and the effect in regards to their residing amongst the disbelievers is due to their adding to their (disbelievers’) population. Also, if an army were to seek them out, perhaps they would be prevented from aiding them, since they would see the campfires of the Muslims mixed along with their campfires. This is because when the Arabs would encounter an army, they would know their amount in number by counting the campfires that they had. An example of this occurred during the Prophet's quest to conquer Makkah, when the disbelievers sent an envoy to see his army, which was in the passageway of the town of Dhahran. So when this great warning against the Muslims' taking residence amongst the disbelievers – which prevents Muslims from waging war against them and brings an absence of fear entering into them – was issued, the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) made himself free of anyone that resided amongst them. This was because it was a reason for their not making Jihaad against them."

It is stated in Al-Haashiyah of Imaam As-Sindee: "Accompanying a disbeliever leads towards Shirk, and taking an oath of allegiance to abandon Shirk entails taking an oath to abandon all the things that lead towards it. Thus this oath results in the abandonment of accompanying a disbeliever and Allah knows best." [Al-Haashiyah (7/148)]

In another hadeeth, the Prophet (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "Each Muslim is sacred to another Muslim. Two brothers are supporters for one another. Allah does not accept the deeds of a disbeliever who has accepted Islaam, until he withdraws from the disbelievers (and goes) to the Muslims." [Reported by An-Nasaa'ee (1/358). And Ibn Maajah (no. 2536) reported the second part of it. Its chain of narration is hasan according to Irwaa-ul-Ghaleel (no. 1207). ]

Mu'awiyah narrated that Allah's Messenger (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "Hijrah will not cease until repentance ceases (to be accepted). And repentance will not cease (to be accepted) until the sun rises from the west." [Reported by Abu Dawood (no. 2479) and it occurs in Saheeh Sunan Abu Dawood (no. 2166). It was also reported by Ad-Daarimee, An-Nasaa'ee in Sunan-ul-Kubraa, Al-Baihaqee, Ahmad and others. It is a saheeh hadeeth as occurs in Irwaa-ul-Ghaleel (no. 1208).]

And in another hadeeth, he (Sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: "Hijrah will not come to an end so long as the disbelievers are fought." [Saheeh Sunan An-Nasaa'ee (no. 3889)]

READ MORE - Related to Hijrah