Why did the hijrah occur?

The Hijrah, or migration, occurred in 622 CE when the Prophet Muhammad and his followers fled from Mecca to Yathrib (later known as Medina) to escape persecution and hostility from the Quraysh tribe. The migration was prompted by increasing threats to the early Muslim community, as well as an invitation from the people of Yathrib, who sought Muhammad’s leadership to resolve their internal conflicts. This pivotal event marks the beginning of the Islamic calendar and established Medina as the first Islamic state.