Hijrah derives its origin from the Arabic word الهجرة interpreting to departure or migration. Its significance to Islam can be traced to 622 CE when Prophet Muhammad (SAW) migrated from Makkah to Madinah on the command of Allah as a result of the boycott, torture, killings and other forms of religious prosecution forcefully exerted on the Muslims by the Makkah pagans.
Today, scholars have expressed elaborate explanation on the concept to mean diversion from negativities to positivities, movement from what is bad to what is good and neglecting bad deeds for good deeds as well allowance of purity over evil manifestations.
Allah says in Suratul Nahl (Q16:41)
وَالَّذِينَ هَاجَرُوا فِي اللَّهِ مِن بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُوا لَنُبَوِّئَنَّهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً ۖ وَلَأَجْرُ الْآخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ ۚ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ
And those who emigrated for [the cause of] Allah after they had been wronged – We will surely settle them in this world in a good place; but the reward of the Hereafter is greater, if only they could know.
The reward for good deeds is none other than goodies. One would not only get rewards for doing good but would also be rewarded for enjoining good deeds & forbidding evil.
Abdullah ibn Amr reported: A man asked, “O Messenger of Allah, which emigration is best?” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “To emigrate away from that which Allah disapproves. Emigration is of two kinds: the emigration of the resident and the bedouin. As for the emigration of the bedouin, he responds when he is called and he obeys when he is commanded. As for the emigration of the resident, its trial is more severe and its reward is greater.” Source: Musnad Aḥmad 6774
Brethren, Hijrah depicts more than just mere celebration with drum beating, immoral dancing or merriment and wishes. All these are mere innovations with no basis in Islam. To celebrate Hijrah is to migrate from all negative sentiments, your hidden and obvious sins, evil manifestations and every form of bad habits.
It is important to note that your reward for Hijrah (Migration) shall be premised on the motive (Niyyah) for embarking on such departure. The Prophet (SAW) was referenced from one of his sayings that “He whose migration was for Allah and His messenger, his migration was for Allah and His messenger, and he whose migration was to achieve some worldly benefit or to take some woman in marriage, his migration was for that for which he migrated.”
Summarily, the best of Hijrah (migration) is the one fought over your own soul – Jihad Nafs (الجهاد نفس). If you’re able to conquer your soul over evil manifestations, then, you’ve performed true migration and you shall be rewarded abundantly for taking sides with good (purity) and sincerity of intentions.
©️ Alamu Azeez (Mr. Nigeria)
ilyasazeezalamu@gmail.com
