In 622, the Hijra—the migration of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina—occurred, serving as a pivotal turning point in Islamic history. This relocation was prompted by the increasing persecution of the early Muslim community in Mecca, leading them to seek refuge and a new base of operations in the city of Medina. This event is so significant that it marks the commencement of the Islamic calendar, symbolising a fundamental shift in the development of the faith.

The migration fundamentally altered the nature of the Muslim community, transitioning it from a small, vulnerable group facing hostility into a cohesive religious and political entity. By establishing themselves in Medina, the followers of Muhammad were able to organise, govern, and expand their influence, laying the essential foundations for the future of the Islamic state. This period of transition is widely recognised by historians as the moment when the community began to flourish as a distinct and organised society.

The key aspects of this historical transition include:

• The departure of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to escape religious persecution.
• The establishment of a new, secure base in the city of Medina.
• The formal beginning of the Islamic calendar, dating from this migration.
• The transformation of the Muslim community into a structured religious and political organisation.