In the early days of Islam, before it emerged as a widespread and powerful religious and political force, the Muslim community faced intense persecution and hardship. One of the most significant turning points during this formative period was the First Hegira (or Hijrah), which refers to the migration of a small group of Muslims to the Christian Kingdom of Aksum in Abyssinia (present-day Ethiopia). This event took place around 615 CE and marked the beginning of Islamic efforts to seek refuge and spread their faith beyond the Arabian Peninsula. Understanding the Islamic territory at the time of the First Hegira offers valuable insight into the humble origins of Islam and the small scale on which it initially operated.
The Situation in Mecca
By the early 7th century, the city of Mecca was the center of trade and religious pilgrimage in the Arabian Peninsula. It was dominated by the Quraysh tribe, who maintained control over the Kaaba and the various pagan religious practices associated with it. When the Prophet Muhammad began preaching monotheism and the message of Islam, he directly challenged the socio-economic power structure upheld by the Quraysh elites.
The early converts to Islam mostly poor people, slaves, and a few influential individuals were subjected to public ridicule, boycott, and physical torture. This growing hostility made it dangerous for the nascent Muslim community to remain in Mecca. While Muhammad continued preaching, a small group of Muslims was granted permission to migrate in search of safety.
The First Hegira to Abyssinia
The First Hegira occurred around the fifth year of Muhammad’s prophethood. Under increasing pressure, a group of approximately 12 men and four women fled Mecca and sailed across the Red Sea to the Christian Kingdom of Aksum. They were led by a few notable companions, including Uthman ibn Affan and his wife Ruqayyah, the daughter of Muhammad.
Reasons for Choosing Abyssinia
- Abyssinia was known to be ruled by a just and tolerant Christian king the Negus (al-Najashi).
- Geographical proximity across the Red Sea made it a reachable haven.
- Religious common ground between Islam and Christianity made the Muslims hopeful for fair treatment.
This migration was not a conquest or expansion of Islamic political power but rather a humanitarian escape. Therefore, the notion of Islamic territory at the time of the First Hegira was extremely limited. The Muslim community had no land of its own and relied on the hospitality of others for survival.
Islamic Territory at the Time
It is important to clarify that during the First Hegira, there was no formal Islamic territory in the political or military sense. The following points illustrate the nature of Islamic presence at this time:
- Mecca: Still under Quraysh control. Muslims lived in secrecy or under persecution.
- Abyssinia: A place of asylum, not Islamic territory. Muslims lived under Christian rule.
- Medina (Yathrib): Not yet under Islamic influence. The Prophet had not migrated there yet; this would occur in 622 CE during the Second Hegira.
Therefore, the concept of Islamic territory during the First Hegira was more symbolic than geographical. The small group of believers formed an early Islamic identity, but without sovereignty or land ownership.
Significance of the First Hegira
Though often overshadowed by the more famous migration to Medina, the First Hegira carries enormous importance in Islamic history. It demonstrated that Islam, even in its infancy, had the capacity to transcend borders and cultural boundaries.
Diplomatic Implications
- Established early Muslim relations with a foreign Christian power.
- Set a precedent for religious tolerance and interfaith protection.
- Frustrated the Quraysh, who failed in their attempt to extradite the Muslim refugees.
This episode affirmed that justice and protection could exist outside of tribal and religious affiliation, a theme that would later be echoed in Islamic governance.
The Second Group and Life in Abyssinia
Encouraged by the success of the first group, a second, larger group of Muslims nearly 80 men and several women also migrated to Abyssinia. This group included future leaders of the Muslim community. The Negus provided asylum and refused to hand over the Muslims when Meccan envoys demanded their return.
Though far from Mecca and removed from the Prophet, these Muslims maintained their religious practice and communal life. Their presence in Abyssinia represents a form of early Islamic diaspora, living peacefully under non-Muslim rule while remaining committed to Islamic values.
Islamic Territory: Still a Vision
At this point in history, Islamic governance was still a vision rather than a reality. The Prophet Muhammad had not yet established a political base, nor had any territory come under formal Islamic rule. The Qur’an was still being revealed, and the Muslim community was primarily concerned with survival rather than expansion.
Therefore, it is historically accurate to say that the Islamic territory during the First Hegira was non-existent in the traditional sense. The Islamic presence was defined by community, not by geography. The true political foundation of Islam would not be laid until the Hijrah to Medina in 622 CE, seven years after the First Hegira.
Long-Term Impact
The Muslims in Abyssinia eventually reunited with the Prophet after the migration to Medina. Some returned years later, while others stayed in Abyssinia for a longer period. Their experience abroad enriched the Muslim worldview and demonstrated the faith’s resilience in foreign lands.
Key Outcomes
- Illustrated early Muslim commitment to peace and diplomacy
- Proved the Prophet’s concern for his followers’ safety and wellbeing
- Reinforced the principle of seeking justice across cultural boundaries
The First Hegira also foreshadowed Islam’s future expansion and ability to thrive in diverse environments. It highlighted that while political power was absent, spiritual commitment and moral courage defined the Islamic identity.
At the time of the First Hegira, there was no Islamic territory in the political or legal sense. The early Muslim community was small, scattered, and vulnerable. Their migration to Abyssinia was an act of survival and faith, not conquest. Despite having no land or government, they laid the groundwork for a global religious civilization. The First Hegira remains a powerful example of perseverance, interfaith solidarity, and the pursuit of justice, even in exile.