Detailed Account

Shortly after the Second Pledge of Aqabah, the Prophet ﷺ instructed his Makkan companions to begin migrating to Madinah, saying: 'I have been shown your place of migration—a land of date palms between two volcanic plains.' He advised them to leave secretly in small groups to avoid alerting Quraysh. The first to depart was Abu Salamah (who had previously experienced the painful separation from his family when attempting to migrate to Abyssinia). Other early migrants included Bilal, Amir ibn Rabi'ah with his wife Layla, and Abdullah ibn Jahsh. Soon approximately 70 families had migrated, leaving their homes, possessions, and businesses behind—a tremendous sacrifice demonstrating their commitment to faith over material comfort. Quraysh realized the danger this migration posed, as Muslims establishing a power base elsewhere threatened their influence. They attempted to prevent some from leaving: Suhaib al-Rumi was forced to surrender his wealth to escape; Umm Salamah was separated from her husband and child for nearly a year; and the weak who lacked tribal protection faced increased persecution. Notably, some young men migrated without parental permission, including Abu Jandal and Abu Basir (years later), establishing the principle that obedience to parents doesn't apply when they prevent religious obligations. The Prophet ﷺ instructed Abu Bakr and Ali to remain in Makkah temporarily—Abu Bakr to accompany him later, and Ali to return entrusted items to their Makkan owners before following. This migration represented not just geographical relocation but a revolutionary transition: Muslims were shifting from a persecuted minority to an organized community with political authority, from focusing on individual spiritual development to establishing collective social structures.