muhājirūn

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muhājirūn

Islamic historical figures

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July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

The term muhājirūn refers to emigrants, specifically those who fled with the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE during the Hijrah. This migration marked the establishment of the Muslim community as a sociopolitical entity and is the starting point of the Muslim calendar.12

The muhājirūn are highly esteemed in Islamic history, particularly those who emigrated with Muhammad to Medina. They are praised in the Qurʾān for their early conversion to Islam and the hardships they endured in Mecca. These emigrants, along with the anṣār (the helpers from Medina), formed the first Muslim community, the ummah, as outlined in the Constitution of Medina. The muhājirūn played a significant leadership role in the Muslim polity following Muhammad's death.13

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Hijrah
The Qurʾān describes the muhājirūn as being of a higher status before God (9:20) and states,
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The Qurʾān describes the muhājirūn as being of a higher status before God (9:20) and states,
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history of Arabia
The life of Muhammad
…him there were known as muhājirūn (refugees or emigrants), while his Medinan allies were called anṣār (supporters). The Muslim era dates from the Hijrah—Muhammad’s move to Medina in 622 ce. (For more detail about the life of Muhammad and the rise of Islam, see Islam; Islamic world.)
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…him there were known as muhājirūn (refugees or emigrants), while his Medinan allies were called anṣār (supporters). The Muslim era dates from the Hijrah—Muhammad’s move to Medina in 622 ce. (For more detail about the life of Muhammad and the rise of Islam, see Islam; Islamic world.)
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Companions of the Prophet
The muhājirūn (those who followed the Prophet from Mecca to Medina in the Hijrah), the anṣār (the Medinese believers), and the badriyyūn (those who fought at the Battle of Badr) are all considered Companions of the Prophet. There are differing accounts of who belonged to the…
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The muhājirūn (those who followed the Prophet from Mecca to Medina in the Hijrah), the anṣār (the Medinese believers), and the badriyyūn (those who fought at the Battle of Badr) are all considered Companions of the Prophet. There are differing accounts of who belonged to the…
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Constitution of Medina
The agreements established the muhājirūn, i.e., the early Muslims who followed Muhammad, on a par with the eight clans of Medina (called the anṣār, or “helpers”); collectively, the nine tribes formed the first Muslim community (ummah). The agreements also regulated the relations of the Muslims with the Jews of…
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The agreements established the muhājirūn, i.e., the early Muslims who followed Muhammad, on a par with the eight clans of Medina (called the anṣār, or “helpers”); collectively, the nine tribes formed the first Muslim community (ummah). The agreements also regulated the relations of the Muslims with the Jews of…
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Hijrah
…Christian rule were also called muhājirūn (“emigrants”). The Khawārij (Kharijites), those Muslims who withdrew their support from the arbitration talks that called into question the right of the fourth caliph, ʿAlī, to the caliphate in 657 ce, used the term to describe those who joined them.
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…Christian rule were also called muhājirūn (“emigrants”). The Khawārij (Kharijites), those Muslims who withdrew their support from the arbitration talks that called into question the right of the fourth caliph, ʿAlī, to the caliphate in 657 ce, used the term to describe those who joined them.
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Islamic world
The forging of Muhammad’s community
…fellow emigrants were distinguished as muhājirūn (“emigrants”). He was often able to use revelation to arbitrate.
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…fellow emigrants were distinguished as muhājirūn (“emigrants”). He was often able to use revelation to arbitrate.
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