Why did Muhammad and his followers leave Mecca for Yathrib in 622?

In 622, Muhammad and his followers migrated from Mecca to Yathrib (later known as Medina) primarily to escape escalating persecution and to secure a safer environment for their community.123

Following the deaths of his wife, Khadījah, and his uncle and protector, Abū Ṭālib, in approximately 619, Muhammad lost critical social and psychological support. His successor as head of the Hāshim clan withdrew the clan's protection, leaving Muhammad vulnerable to attack by his opponents among the Quraysh tribe, who rejected his monotheistic message and viewed his reforms as a threat to their traditional religious practices and social order.13

After failing to find refuge in Al-Ṭā’if, Muhammad accepted an invitation from a delegation from Yathrib. The Yathribis, struggling with internal tribal conflicts, invited him to serve as a neutral arbiter (ḥakam). This agreement provided the Muslims with a guarantee of protection, allowing them to establish a separate community in a more hospitable environment. This migration is known as the Hijra, which marks the beginning of the Islamic era.1342