Rise of Islam : Migration of Holy Prophet (SAW)
After the revelation of first few verses of Holy Quran, Hazrat Muhmmad began to spread the divine message as he was ordered from Allah,
“proclaim what you have been ordered and turn aside from the polytheists,” (Qur’an 15:94).
In order to broadcast the true message of Allah, he summoned the tribal leaders of Quraysh and told them to worship Allah and also warned them about the punishment of Allah if they didn't obey his message. As a sign he also performed a miracle. He multiplied their food and drink but they rejected the true message of Allah as they prefer to follow the doings of their forefathers.
Plan of Quraysh to kill Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)
Hazrat Muhammad began to spread Islam among the people of Makkah and told them about the punishment of Allah. They got threatened by his message. Tribal leaders of Quraysh began to form alliances against Hazrat Muhammad. They carried a meeting to discuss about the plan of killing Hazrat Muhammad. They all want to get rid of him. The uncle of Hazrat Muhammad told him about the plan of Quraysh and saved him. The tribesman offered bribes to Hazrat Muhammad but he refused. They also told him that only if he performed miracles, they could believe him. Hazrat Muhmmad performed an incredible miracle which is narrated in this Hadith,
Anas bin Malik (ra) narrated, ’The people of Makkah asked Allah’s Messenger (saw) to show them a miracle. So he showed them the moon split in two halves between which they saw the Hira’ mountain [the Mountain of Light]’. [Bukhari]
Allah also said in his Holy book Quran about this incident,
The Hour has come near, and the moon has split [in two]’. [The Noble Qur’an, 54:1]
Yet they refused to believe him because of their foolishness. The threat against Hazrat Muhammad was increased after the death of Hazrat Khadija and his uncle. He realised that he should increase his believers so that they support and protect him. He began to spread his teachings outside Makkah. His followers steadily increased especially in a city named Madina. Allah also gave permission to Hazrat Muhammad to fight with the people who oppose them. It is said in the Holy book Quran,
“Leave is given to those who fight because they were wronged” (Qur’an 22:40).
Migration of Holy Prophet from Makkah to Madina
As the persecution of Quraysh against Muhammad and his followers was intensively increased so Allah ordered the Holy Prophet and his people to migrate from Makkah to Madina. Although it's very much difficult to leave their houses but they did it for the sake of Allah Almighty and migrated from Makkah to Madina. Quran also highlights the higher status of people those migrated for his sake,
As for those who emigrated for the sake of God after having been persecuted, We will provide them with a fine abode in this life; yet better still is the reward of the life to come, if they but knew it (16:41).
At the time of migration, Hazrat Muhammad had some Amanah of the people of Quraysh, so he waited to return those Amanah to them before migration. He appointed Hazrat Ali for this task. At the night of migration, armed soldiers of Quraysh besieged the house of Hazrat Muhammad. He prayed to Allah and it is said that those appointed men of Quraysh fell asleep and Holy Prophet escaped. When Quraysh knew about the escape of Hazrat Muhmmad they offered big rewards for bringing him back dead or alive. Many people tried but failed to catch him. After the eight days journey of Hazrat Muhammad, he entered the outskirts of Madina. He didn't entered the city directly rather he stayed at Quba. He stayed fourteen days at Quba and also established a mosque there. Then he went for Madina and after reaching it, he was warmly greeted by the people there.
Necessary conditions for Migration
Migration can take place for reasons like economic, religious or just for relocation. If Muslims at some place feeling difficulty to perform any of their religious duties then it is suggested for them to migrate from that area. It is narrated in Holy Quran,
“Was not the earth of God spacious enough for you to flee for refuge?” (4:97).
Lesson from the Migration of Hazrat Muhmmad (PBUH)
It is clear from the above verse of Holy Quran that Allah is the owner of this whole world so you can take refuge wherever you want. There's no excuse of having restrictions of performing Ibadat in your area. It is narrated in Hadith that a man asked:
“O Messenger of Allah! Which emigration (hijrah) is best?” The Prophet e replied: “To leave what your Lord U dislikes.”
We have a huge example of our Holy Prophet and his followers. Their historical migration from Makkah to Madina should be enough for us to understand this fact that we must migrate from what Allah Almighty and his Prophet hate. It's about the migration from bad things to good ones, evil acts to good deeds, leaving prayers to establishing them, from refusing to give Zakat to performing it. Altogether, we can say that migration can lead us from a destructive life to a beautiful and righteous one.