Hijrah
Journey of
Muhammad from
Mecca to
Medina in 622 to escape persecution and found a community of believers. The date represents the beginning of
Islam. The second caliph,
'Umar ibn al-Kha
ttab, began the practice of using the event as the starting point for the Muslim calendar; years are now denoted by the initials
AH (Latin Anno Hegirae, "in the year of the Hegira"). The disciples who traveled with Muhammad to Medina were called the
Companions of the Prophet.
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