Dar al-Hijra

Dar al_Hijra (Arabic: دار الهجره), translated to "The Place of Migration," is an honorary title bestowed upon the city of Medina. This designation commemorates the pivotal migration (Hijra) of the Prophet Muhammad (S) from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, an event that marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

Etymology

The term Dar in Arabic carries the meanings of "house," "residence," or "city." It signifies a place of dwelling or habitation. The word "Hijra" translates to "migration" or "emigration," referring to the act of moving from one place to another.

Thus, "Dar al-Hijra" can be understood as "The House of Migration" or "The City of Migration." This term specifically refers to the city of Medina, which became the refuge for the Prophet Muhammad (S) and his followers during the Hijra in 622 CE. The migration from Mecca to Medina was a pivotal event in Islamic history, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar and the establishment of the first Muslim community.

Medina, as "Dar al-Hijra," symbolized not only a physical relocation but also a significant transformation in the social, political, and spiritual life of the early Muslims. It became a center of Islamic governance, culture, and learning, where the principles of justice, equality, and brotherhood were implemented under the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad (S).

The etymological roots of "Dar al-Hijra" thus encapsulate the profound historical and spiritual significance of Medina. It highlights the city's role as a sanctuary and a foundation for the burgeoning Muslim Ummah, embodying the ideals of resilience, faith, and the pursuit of a just and cohesive community.

Reason for Naming

The city of Medina was bestowed with the title "Dar al-Hijra" for two significant and intertwined reasons that hold profound religious importance.

Firstly, the title commemorates the momentous migration (Hijra) of the Prophet Muhammad (S) and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. This migration is not merely a historical event but a pivotal spiritual and communal milestone in Islamic history. The Hijra marked the transition from a period of persecution and hardship in Mecca to the establishment of a supportive and thriving Muslim community in Medina. It was in Medina that the Prophet Muhammad (S) was able to build the first Islamic state, establish the Masjid al-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque), and implement the principles of Islamic governance, justice, and social welfare. This migration signified the beginning of the Islamic calendar (Hijri calendar), emphasizing its profound importance in the Islamic faith.

Secondly, Medina as "Dar al-Hijra" is also recognized for its role in the emergence and dissemination of the prophetic traditions (Sunnah). The city became the center from which the teachings, practices, and legal frameworks of Islam were propagated. The Prophet Muhammad (S) received many of the Qur'anic revelations in Medina, and it was here that the core principles of Islamic law (Sharia) and community life were developed and implemented. The city’s transformation into a beacon of Islamic culture and learning was instrumental in spreading the message of Islam far and wide. Medina's significance is further highlighted by its role in welcoming and integrating the Muhajirun (emigrants from Mecca) with the Ansar (native inhabitants of Medina), creating a unified and cohesive Muslim Ummah (community).

The title "Dar al-Hijra" thus encapsulates Medina’s dual role in the physical migration and the spiritual and religious transformation that ensued. It reflects the city’s enduring legacy as a sanctuary and foundation for the early Muslim community and its central role in the spread and consolidation of Islamic teachings. This title honors Medina’s pivotal place in Islamic history as both a haven for the Prophet Muhammad (S) and his followers and a cradle of Islamic civilization that has continued to inspire and guide Muslims around the world.

References

• ʿAbd al- Ḥamīd, Aḥmad . Umda al-akhbār fī madina al-mukhtār. Medina: Maktabat al-ʿIlmīyya, [n.d]
• ʿAbd al-razzāq, Yūsuf . Maʿālim dār al-hijra. Medina: Maktabat al-ʿIlmīyya, 1401 AH.
• Basṭānī, Fuād Afrām. Farhang-i abjadī. Translated by Reza Mahyār. Tehran: Islāmī, 1375 Sh.
• Fayyūmī, Muḥammad b. Aḥmad. Miṣbāḥ al-munīr fī gharīb al-sharḥ al-kabīr li-rāfiʿī. Beirut: Dār al-Fikr, [n.d].
• Samhūdī, ʿAlī b. ʿAbd Allāh. Wafāʾ al-wafā bi akhbār dar al-Muṣṭafā. Edited by Muḥammad Muḥyi al-Dīn ʿAbd al-Ḥamīd. Beirut: 1984.