Hijra ("Migration", in Arabic)

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HIJRA ("migration", in Arabic)

The voyage of prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in July 622 (12 rabi al-awwal) to escape the hostility of the Meccans. The word has also been interpreted to mean "breaking old ties," that is, marking the break between the time of ignorance and the time of knowledge. Muhammad's hijra marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar; thus Muslim dates are referred to as hijri years, or A.H. (anno hegirae).

SEE ALSO Muhammad.

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