PERSECUTION
& HIJRA
INTRODUCTION
All praise is due to Allah, the Rubb of
the two worlds, and may Allah exalt
the mention of his Prophet, and render
him and his household safe and secure
from all the derogatory things.
This booklet concentrates on the difficult
times that faced Muhammad
and his few followers in Makkah at the
start of the call to Islam.
This booklet shows that Quraish, who
considered themselves the noblest
tribe in the Arabian Peninsula, refused
to accept that all people are equal, as is
believed in the Deen of Islam. Furthermore,
the Deen of Islam did not only
call on them to worship Allah alone.
It prohibited them from customs they
used to practice in their life, things
they considered
p l e a s u r a b l e ,
such as fornication
and gambling.
The call of
Muhammad
11
told them that there was no difference
between people except through piety.
But Quraish, who believed that they
were the noblest tribe, wondered how
the noblest tribe among the Arabs could
stand to be treated equally with slaves.
Thus, they adamantly refused to accept
Islam. They harmed the Messenger of
Allah and tortured his followers.
They described him as crazy, a sorcerer
and a liar.
This booklet also shows that the
Prophet was not deterred by this
harsh treatment. He went on preaching
his call (Da’wah), and he met with tribes
that used to come to Makkah for Hajj.
In these meetings, he would
invite them to embrace Islam.
With Allah’s help, a few
people from Yathrib (later renamed
Madinah) embraced
Islam and invited the Prophet
to come to their city and
pledged to support him.
The Prophet ordered his
12
2
followers to migrate to Madinah, after
all the hardships that the Muslims of
Makkah faced at the hands of Quraish.
Hence, Madinah became the capital
of the fledgling Muslim state and the
point from which the Da’wah spread.
As this booklet shows, the people of
Madinah greatly loved the Prophet
more than they loved themselves. The
Prophet settled there and started
teaching People the Quran and Islamic
Jurisprudence. It was also from
From there the
Messenger of
Allah fought
his first battle
against Quraish,
his own people
who expelled
him from
Makkah.
When Quraish learned that the
Da’wah of Islam was spreading rapidly
from Madinah, they fought with
the Prophet at the Battle of Badr.
The battle was unequal, as it took
place between two unequal groups
in both numbers and weaponry. The
Muslims were only 314, whereas
the enemy was 1000 strong. There,
Allah gave the Prophet and his
Companions their first victory over
the disbelievers.
13
there that the Messenger of Allah
fought his first battle against Quraish,
his own people who expelled him from
Makkah. That was the battle of Badr,
in which he was victorious.
He continued to fight against the Quraish
in various skirmishes, but it was only after
8 years that the Prophet was able
to prepare an army of 10,000 loyal soldiers
and headed towards Makkah and
conquered it without a battle or bloodshed.
With this victory, he defeated his
own people who
had harmed him
and tortured his
companions in
every way.
ولينصرنك الله نصراً عزيزاً
“And that Allah may aid you
with a mighty victory.” [48:3]
16
2
PERSECUTION AND HIJRA
The religion of Islam is a complete
way of life, which deals with religious,
political, economical and social affairs.
Furthermore, the religion of Islam
did not only call them to worship
God alone and to forsake all idols
rather, it prohibited them from things
they considered pleasurable, such as
consuming interest and intoxicants,
fornication, and gambling.
It also called people to be just and fair
with one another, and to know that
there was no difference between
them except through piety. How
could the Quraish, the most
noble tribe amongst the
Arabs, stand to be treated
equally with slaves! They
did not only adamantly
refuse to accept Islam,
rather, they harmed him
and blamed him, saying
that he was crazy, a
sorcerer and a liar. They ac17
cused him of things they would never
have dared to do before the advent
of Islam. They incited the ignorant
masses against him,
harmed him and tortured
his companions.
Abdullah b. Masood,
a close companion of the
Prophet , reports:
“While the Prophet was standing
up and praying near the Ka’bah, a
group of Quraish were sitting nearby
when one of them said, ‘Do you see
this man? Would someone bring the
bloody intestines (removed after the
slaughter) of the camels, and wait
till he prostrates, and then dump it
on his back?’ The most wretched
amongst them volunteered to do
it, and when the Prophet prostrated,
he poured the filth over his
back, so the Prophet stayed in
prostration. They laughed so hard
that they were about to fall on each
other. Someone went to Fatimah,
the Prophet’s daughter who was a
young girl at the time, and informed
The Quraish did not
only adamantly refuse
to accept Islam, rather,
they harmed him and
blamed him, saying
that Muhammad
was crazy, a sorcerer
and a liar.
• Muhammad
18
2
her of what had happened. She hurriedly
came towards the Prophet
and removed the filth from his back,
and then she turned and cursed the
Quraishites sitting nearby.” (Bukhari)
Muneeb Al-Azdi, a companion of the
Prophet said:
“I saw the Messenger of God in the
Era of Ignorance saying to people,
‘Say there is nothing worthy of being
worshipped except Allah if you
desire success.’ There were those
who spat in his face, those who
threw soil in his face, and those
who swore at him until midday.
Once, a young girl came with a big
container of water offering it to him.
Muhammad
called the many
tribes that came
to Makkah for Hajj
to Islam. A few
believed from the
people of Yathrib,
which is known
today as Madinah.
19
He washed his face and hands and
said, ‘O daughter, do not fear that
your father will be humiliated or
struck by poverty.’” (Mu’jam Al-Kabeer)
Abdullah b. Amr ibn Al-Aas, a companion
of the Prophet , was asked
about some of the evil the pagans did
to the Prophet , to which he replied:
“Once a pagan approached the
Prophet while he was praying
near the Ka’bah and twisted his garment
around his neck. Abu-Bakr(1)
hurriedly approached and grabbed
his shoulder and pushed him away
saying, ‘Would you kill a man only
because he proclaims Allah as his
Lord, while clear signs have come
to you from your Lord?’” (Bukhari)
إلا الله � إله � لا
سول الله محمد ر
There Is No God But
Allah And Muhammad
Is The Messenger
Of God
(1) The closest
companion to the
Prophet and
the first Caliph
of Islam after his
death.
20
2
These incidents did not stop the
Prophet from calling to Islam. He
preached this message to the many
tribes that came to Makkah for Hajj(1).
A few believed from the people of
Yathrib, a small city north of Makkah
known today as Madinah, and they
pledged to support him and help
him if he chose to migrate there. He
sent with them Mus’ab b. Umair to
teach them the tenets of Islam. After
all the hardships that the Muslims of
Makkah faced from their own
people, God granted them
the permission to migrate to
Madinah. The people of Madinah
welcomed them and
received them in a most hospitable
manner. Madinah became
the capital of the new
Muslim state, and the place
from which the call to Islam
was spread far and
wide.
The Prophet settled
there and taught
people the Qur’an
and the rulings of the
The people of
Madinah welcomed
the new Muslim
immigrants and
received them in
a most hospitable
manner.
21
religion. The inhabitants of Madinah
were greatly moved and touched by
the Prophet’s manners. They loved him
more than they loved their own selves.
They would rush to serve him, and they
would spend all they had in the path
of Islam. The society was strong and
its people were rich in Faith. People
loved each other, and true brotherhood
was apparent amongst its people. All
people were equal - the rich and poor,
the black and white, the Arab and non-
Arab - all were considered as equals in
the religion of God and no distinction
was made among them except through
piety.
After the Quraish learned that the
(1) Pilgrimage to
Makkah.
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2
Prophet’s call had spread, they fought
him in the first battle in Islam, the Battle
of Badr. The battle took place between
two groups unequal in both numbers
and weaponry. The Muslims were only
314, whereas the enemy was 1000
strong. There, Allah gave the Prophet
and his Companions their first victory
over the disbelievers. After this
battle, a number of battles took place
between the Muslims and the pagans.
After eight years, the Prophet was
able to prepare an army 10,000 strong.
They proceeded towards Makkah and
conquered it without spilling a drop of
blood, and with this Muhamamad
overcame the people who had harmed
and tortured him and his Companions
with every conceivable
cruelty. The year of
this decisive victory is
called “The Year of the
Conquest.” Allah, the
Exalted, says:
“When the victory of
Allah has come and
the conquest, and you
see the people entering
The Prophet
was able to
prepare an army
10,000 strong.
They headed towards
Makkah and
conquered it.
23
into the religion of Allah in
multitudes, then repeat the
praises of your Lord and
ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed,
He is ever Accepting
of repentance.” [110:1-3]
Upon the conquest, the
Prophet gathered the people
of Makkah and said to them:
“What do you think I will do to
you?’ They answered, ‘You will only
do something favorable. You are a
kind and generous brother, and a
kind and generous nephew!’ The
Prophet said, ‘Go, for you are
free.’” (Baihaqi)
This incredible act of forgiveness
caused many to accept Islam. The
Prophet then returned to Madinah.
After a period of time, the Prophet
intended to perform Hajj, so he
headed towards Makkah with 114,000
Companions and performed Hajj. This
Hajj is known as the “Farewell Pilgrimage”
since the Prophet never performed
another Hajj, and died shortly
after he performed it.
• Muhammad
“What do you think I
will do to you?’ They
answered, ‘You will
only do something
favorable. You are a
kind and generous
brother, and a kind and
generous nephew!’ The
Prophet said, ‘Go,
for you are free.’”
24
2
On the 9th of the Islamic lunar month
of Dhul-Hijjah at Mount Arafat, the
Prophet , delivered his farewell sermon.
After praising Allah, he said:
“O people! Lend me an attentive
ear, for I know not whether after this
year, I shall ever be amongst you
again. Therefore, listen to what I am
saying to you very carefully and take
these words to those who could not
be present here today.
O people! Just as you regard this
month, this day, and this city as sacred,
so regard the life and property
of every Muslim. Return the goods
entrusted to you to their rightful
owners. Hurt no one so that no one
may hurt you. Remember, you will
indeed meet your Lord and He will
Years In Makkah Before
Years As Prophet
Years In Madinah Monawarah
40
23
10
The Prophet said,
“You will neither
inflict, nor suffer,
inequity. Beware of
Satan for the safety
of your religion. He
has lost all hope that
he will ever be able
to lead you astray
in great things, so
beware of following
him in small things.”
• Muhammad
25
indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has
forbidden you to take usury. Therefore,
all interest due shall henceforth
be waived. Your capital, however, is
yours to keep. You will neither inflict,
nor suffer, inequity. Beware of
Satan for the safety of your religion.
He has lost all hope that he will ever
be able to lead you astray in great
things, so beware of following him
in small things.
O people! It is true that you have
certain rights with regards to your
women, but they also have rights
over you… If they abide by your
right, then to them belongs the right
of provisions and to be clothed in
a good manner. Treat women well
and be kind to them, for they are
your partners. Remember that you
have taken them as your wives only
“I have studied this wonderful man
[Muhammad], and in my opinion, far from
being an anti-Christ, he must be called the
Saviour of Humanity.”(1)
(1) George Bernard Shaw,
“A Shavian Meets a
Theologian” Interview
by M A A Siddiqui in
“Genuine Islam”, Organ
of the Al-Malaya
Missionary Society Vol
1, No 1, January, 1936
B Lib catalogue.
26
2
under Allah’s trust and with His permission.
O people! Listen to me in earnest.
Worship Allah, perform your five daily
prayers, fast the month of Ramadan,
give alms and perform the pilgrimage
(i.e. Hajj) if you can afford it. All
mankind is from Adam and Adam
is from clay. There is no superiority
for an Arab over a non-Arab, nor
for a non-Arab over an Arab, or for
a white over a black, nor for a black
over a white, except through piety.
Know that every Muslim is a brother
to every other Muslim and that the
Muslims are one community. Nothing
shall be legitimate to a
Muslim that belongs
to another, unless
it was given freely
and willingly. Do
not, therefore,
do injustice to
yourselves.
Remember, one
day you will appear
before Allah
and answer for your
27
deeds. So beware! Do not stray
from the path of righteousness after
I am gone. O people! No prophet or
messenger will come after me, and
no new faith will be born. Reason
well, therefore, O people! And understand
the words that I convey to
you. I leave behind me two things,
if you follow them you will never go
astray: the Book of Allah (i.e. the
Qur’an) and my Sunnah. All those
who listen to me shall pass on my
words to others, and those to others
again. May the last ones understand
my words better than those
who listen to me directly. Be my witness,
O Allah, that I have conveyed
Your Message to Your people.” (Collected
from Bukhari, Muslim, Ahmad)
The Prophet died in Madinah
in the year 632 C.E.
and was buried there as
well. The Prophet was
63 years of age when he
died. The Muslims were
shocked when they learned of
his death; some Companions
could not even believe it. Abu28
2
Bakr then addressed the Muslims and
read the words of God:
“Muhammad is not but a messenger.
Other messengers have passed on
before him. So if he was to die or be
killed, would you turn back on your
heels to unbelief? And he who turns
back on his heels will never harm Allah
at all. But Allah will reward the grateful.”
[3:144]
When the believers heard this verse,
they were reminded of the truth and
quickly controlled their extreme sorrow,
just as the Prophet had taught
them.
The Prophet stayed in Makkah for
forty years before being commissioned
as a Prophet. After being commissioned
as a Prophet, he lived there
for another thirteen years in which
he called people to the pure
monotheistic belief of Islam. He
then migrated to Madinah, and
stayed there for ten years. He
continued to receive revelation
there, until the Qur’an and the
religion of Islam were complete.
29
The famous playwright and critic,
George Bernard Shaw (d. 1950) said:
“I have always held the religion of
Muhammad in high estimation because
of its wonderful vitality. It is
the only religion which appears to
possess that assimilating capability
to the changing phases of existence
which make itself appeal to every
age. I have prophesized about the
faith of Muhammad that it would be
acceptable tomorrow as it is beginning
to be acceptable to the Europe
of today. Medieval ecclesiastics,
either through ignorance or bigotry,
painted [Islam] in the darkest
colours. They were, in fact, trained
to hate both the man Muhammad
and his religion. To them, Muhammad
was an anti-Christ. I have studied
him, the wonderful man, and in
my opinion, far from being an anti-
Christ, he must be called the Saviour
of Humanity.”(1).
(1) George Bernard
Shaw, “A Shavian
Meets a Theologian”
Interview by M A A
Siddiqui in “Genuine
Islam”, Organ of the
Al-Malaya Missionary
Society Vol 1,
No 1, January, 1936
B Lib catalogue
30
2
The Description of the
Prophet
From the book, Shamaa’il At-Tirmidhî,
we learn that the Prophet , as
described by his Companion Anas b.
Malik, was “neither very tall, such that
he would be clearly noticed, nor was
he short. He was not extremely white
and neither was he very brown. His
hair was neither very curly nor
completely straight”. Sometimes
he would part his hair in the middle.
Other times, he would wear it braided.
The Prophet had the physique
of a powerful man. He had a broad
upper-back and shoulders between
which was the Seal of Prophethood
mark. He had long
muscular limbs
with large joints.
His lean stomach
never protruded
out past the profile
of his chest.
His face was radiant,
“as if the
sun were following
its course
• Muhammad
31
across and shining from his face,”
said one Companion. His forehead,
prominent, his pupils, large and black,
his eyelashes, long and thick, his nose,
hightipped with narrow nostrils.
The Prophet would walk briskly
with a forward leaning gait, moving
with strength of purpose and lifting
each foot clearly off the ground. His
pace was such that fit men would tire
trying to keep up. When he turned, he
would turn his whole body, giving full
attention to the one addressing him
and showing complete concern to
what was being said. When he pointed,
he would use an open hand so as not
to offend. Likewise, when he criticized
a person’s behavior, rather than name
the individual, he would simply say,
“Why do people do such and such?”
He would smile quite often, but his laugh
was usually a measured one, generally
only to the extent that his front
teeth would become visible. He
would become angry only to
the extent that his face would
turn red and the vein between
his eyebrows would bulge.
• May God highly praise
Muhammad .
32
2
He was always humble and never displayed
arrogance or pride. That freedom
from pride was obvious even
to children, who would playfully lead
the Prophet through the streets of
Madinah whilst grasping his finger. Indeed,
he had said:
“He who does not show mercy to
our young, nor honor our old, is not
from us.” (Abu Dawood)
“[He sent] a Messenger [Muhammad]
reciting to you the distinct verses of
Allah that He may bring out those who
believe and do righteous deeds from
the darknesses into the light. And
whoever believes in Allah and does
righteousness - He will admit him into
gardens beneath which rivers flow to
abide therein forever. Allah will have
perfected for him a provision.” [65:11]
Ali, cousin and son-in-law to the
Prophet , said of Muhammad:
“He was the Last of the Prophets, the
most giving of hearts, the most truthful,
the best of them in temperament and
the most sociable. Whoever unexpectedly
saw him would stand in awe of him,
33
and whoever accompanied him and got
to know him would love him. Those describing
him would say, ‘I have never
seen anyone before or after him who
was comparable to him.’”
The Prophet’s beloved wife, A’ishah,
said of her selfless husband:
“He always joined in household chores
and would at times mend his clothes,
repair his shoes and sweep the floor.
He would milk, tether and feed his animals.”
(Bukhari)
She was also once asked to describe
his character, and she replied, “His
character was the Qur’an (exemplified).”
(Muslim)
“There has certainly been for you in
the Messenger of Allah an excellent
pattern for anyone whose hope is in
Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers
Allah often.” [33:21]
It is time to know Him
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