Hijra

The hijra is Muhammad's flight from Mecca to Yathrib (Medina) in 622, which marks the first year on the Muslim calendar. This migration was necessary for Muhammad and his supporters because the Umayyad notables saw the growth of Muhammad's following to the monotheistic religion of Islam as a threat to the commercial wealth of the city, which came from the visits of pilgrims to the Ka'ba. As the Umayyads increasingly threatened Muhammad with plots to kill him, Muhammad sought a place of refuge. In Medina, disputes between various bedouin clans turned violent; however, the leaders in Medina saw the power and support of Muhammad and invited him to come settle their quarrels. Muhammad secured his escape and then fled to Medina, where he found even more support after settling the disputes.

http://www.mb-soft.com/believe/txh/hegira.htm

Unit 3 terms Created by Jaclyn Speer 10/22/08