Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Dealing with history is extremely important in order to understand Today and shed light on Tomorrow. When dealing with history, events that changed the course of history are generally discussed. These events have affected the age so much that the history before and after that event is now mentioned.

Migration of Rasulullah (saw) is one of these events, perhaps the most important one in terms of Islamic history. As a matter of fact, the calendar of the Muslims [Hijri Calendar] was applied according to this historical event.

The Messenger of Allah (saw) and his blessed companions were subjected to serious pressure from the day they began to convey the message of the revelation openly. In the shadow of insults, oppression, attacks and torture, Muslims have shown persistence in their struggle for existence. After the situation reached an intolerable level, the Muslims first migrated to Abyssinia and then to the city of Yathrib, which would be renamed al-Madinah al-Munawwarah. The immigrants from Mecca who arrived in Medina were hosted by the Muslims of Medina, who would later be called Ansar, as guests in their homes, and our Prophet (saw) established a brotherhood between these two groups.

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Allah (swt) states that in order to achieve the reward of emigration, the intention must be to migrate to Allah (swt) and His Messenger:
“And whoever emigrates for the cause of Allah will find on the earth many [alternative] locations and abundance. And whoever leaves his home as an emigrant to Allah and His Messenger and then death overtakes him – his reward has already become incumbent upon Allah. And Allah is ever Forgiving and Merciful.”[1]

While explaining this verse, the late Muhammad Hamdi Yazir (Quran translator) stated that every emigration made for the sake of Allah, for any religious purpose such as seeking knowledge, pilgrimage, jihad, or any of these, would be counted as emigration to Allah and His Messenger.[2]

Dear Jama’ah!

Despite all superior qualities, human beings should not forget that they are an incomplete and error-prone creature. When he commits a mistake, he should turn from that mistake, do a good deed right after, and if necessary and return to Allah (swt) with sincere repentance. Allah (swt), who created us from nothing and is aware of everything, gives us the good news that He will forgive us when we give up our sins and sincerely repent.

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. ”[3] This hadeeth in itself is very meaningful in this context.

Next Monday, August 9, InshAllah we will enter the year 1443 Hijri. May Allah (swt) make our new year beneficial and fruitful for us and make us among his righteous servants who migrated from their sins! Ameen.

[1] Surah An-Nisa, 4:100

[2] Bkz. Elmalılı Hamdi Yazır: Hak Dini Kuran Dili, 4:100 ayetin tefsiri

[3] Müsned-i Ahmed, 11/26, H.No: 6487

Today’s Migration