Point from Usuulu Thalaatha - A Concise Explanation of Hijra

[Mohamed.Farah]

Point from Usuulu Thalaatha - A concise Explanation of Hijra

The Great Imaam and Reviver, Muhammed Bin ‘Abdul Wahhaab (rahimahullaah) stated:

Hijrah is migrating from the land of shirk to the land of Islam. Hijrah from the land of shirk to the land of Islam is an obligation upon this ummah and it continues until the Last Hour, and the proof is the saying of Allah , the Most High, "As for those whose souls the angels take in a state of having earned Allah's Anger, then the angels will say to them: 'In what condition were you regarding your Religion? They will say: 'We were weakened by the great numbers and strength of the people of shirk in our land who prevented us from Iman and from following the Messenger [sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam] .'They will reply: 'Was not Allah's earth spacious so that you could leave your land and homes where the people of shirk dominate and go to a land where you could worship Allah alone and follow His Prophet?! I So these people will find their abode in Hell, and what an evil destination that is. Except for the weak ones from the men, women and children who were unable to migrate or rind a way to do so. As for such, it may be that Allah will pardon them, and Allah is ever One who pardons and forgives the sins of His servants" [Surah an-Nisa' (4):97-99].

Also the saying of Allah , the Most High, "O My servants who believe in Me and My Messenger Muhammad indeed My earth is spacious, so flee away from whoever prevents you from obedience to Me, and make your worship and obedience purely and sincerely for Me, and do not obey anyone in disobedience to Me" [Surah al-'Ankaboot (29):56]. Al-Baghawee, rahimahullah, said: "This Ayah was sent down with regard to the Muslims who were in Makkah who did not migrate; Allah addressed them with the title of Iman ."

The Proof for the hijrah found in the sunnah is his (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) saying: "Hijrah will not be discontinued until repentance is discontinued, and repentance will not be discontinued until the sun rises from its place of setting."

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EXPLANATION
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Definition of Hijra

In the language: Leaving off something ((ترك الشيء))

In the Shar3: it is as the Shaykh mentioned:

((الانتقال من بلد الكفر الي بلد الإسلام))

'Migrating from the land of disbelief to the land of al-Islaam'

(Check Shaykh Saalih al Fawzaan - شرحُ الأصول الثلاثة page 264 for more clarity)

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Its Ruling

Its ruling is that it is an obligation and not abrogated. And it becomes an obligation upon a muslim if he lives in the lands from the lands of the disbelievers if he does not have security in both his religion and honour. As for him having security in his religion and honour (in those lands) than it is not an obligation upon him rather it is a Sunnah.

(Check Shaykh 'Ubayd al Jaabiree - شرحُ الأصول الثلاثة page 136 for clarity)

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''Some benefits on the verses in Surah an-Nisaa''

Allah says:

"As for those whose souls the angels take in a state of having earned Allah's Anger, then the angels will say to them: 'In what condition were you regarding your Religion? They will say: 'We were weakened by the great numbers and strength of the people of shirk in our land who prevented us from Iman and from following the Messenger [sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam] .'They will reply: 'Was not Allah's earth spacious so that you could leave your land and homes where the people of shirk dominate and go to a land where you could worship Allah alone and follow His Prophet?! I So these people will find their abode in Hell, and what an evil destination that is. Except for the weak ones from the men, women and children who were unable to migrate or rind a way to do so. As for such, it may be that Allah will pardon them, and Allah is ever One who pardons and forgives the sins of His servants" [Surah an-Nisa' (4):97-99].

Shaykh 'Abdurrahmaan as-Sa'di mentioned:

''This verse is a great admonition and warning against the one who leaves off Hijra whilst having the ability to do so'' (up until he dies in this state)

And we find that the angels ask 'In what condition where you regarding your Religion?'

Meaning: ''In what condition where you and how did you distinguish yourselves from the Polytheists?''

They replied by saying:

"We were weak and oppressed on earth."

Meaning: oppressed, we did not have the ability to make
Hijra. And (those mentioned in this verse) were not truthful in this claim because Allah has warned them.

Than Allah mentions the weak ones for the second time and these are the true weak from the men and women. Those who did not have the ability to make the hijra due to the reason found in the verse ''who cannot devise a plan, nor are they able to direct their way.''

(Taken from Tafseer Sa'di - Surah an-Nisaa')

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Shaykh Saalih al Fawzaan mentioned:

These two verses contain a warning to the one who leaves off Hijra whilst he has the ability. And that their abode will be the hell fire and what an evil destination it is indeed. However it does not exit someone from the fold of Islaam. Rather, it is from the texts of Warning (Wa'eed) and the one who leaves it off has indeed left off an obligation, and he is disobedient, however it does not exit someone from the fold of Islaam.

Than Allah clarified by the verse from those who have a valid 'excuse'. Allah states: ''Except the weak ones among men, women and children''

al wildaan meaning al atfaal (children)

''nor are they able to direct their way''

Meaning: They do not know the direction from one land to another, this is because with Hijra comes Safr (a journey).'' This is a valid excuse

As for the one who has the ability and knows his direction than he does not have an excuse.

(Check Shaykh Saalih al Fawzaan - شرحُ الأصول الثلاثة page 268-269 for more clarity)

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Benefits Summarised:

*Definition of Hijra linguistically means - ''Leaving off something''

*Definition of Hijra in the Deen means -
'Migrating from the land of disbelief to the land of al-Islaam'

*The origin of Hijra is that it is an obligation as found in the Qur'aan and Sunnah

*If you can manifest your religion and preserve your honour than making Hijra does not become an obligation rather it is a Sunnah (Some of the stances of ahlul 'Ilm such as Shaykh 'Ubaid al Jaabiree and others)

*If you do not have the ability to make Hijra and do not know your direction than it is not an obligation

*If someone has the ability to make Hijra and knows his direction than it becomes Waajib upon the person.

* Hijra requires Safr

* The verse in Surah an-Nisaa mentions 2 types of weak people the first had the ability to make hijra so they were not truthful in their claim.

*The second weak people mentioned had a valid reason which made then unable to travel. Hence, they were truthful in their claim.

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And Allah knows best