As the month of Safar begins, Muslims are once again reminded of one of the most pivotal moments in Islamic history. According the Global Unified Hijri Calendar (Kalender Hijriah Global Tunggal/KHGT) adopted by Muhammadiyah, 1 Safar 1448 AH falls on July 15, 2026. The occasion invites reflection on the Prophet Muhammad’s migration (hijrah) from Mecca to Medina. It has been a journey that marked the beginning of Islamic civilization. 

Although people often associate the hijrah with the Islamic new year in Muharram, the Prophet’s actual departure from Mecca took place during the month of Safar. Akhmad Arif Rifan, a member of the Muhammadiyah Central Board’s Tabligh Council, highlighted this historical clarification during a weekly Islamic study session in Yogyakarta. 

According to Rifan, the Prophet began his migration on 27 Safar in the 14th year of Prophethood, corresponding to approximately September 12 or 13, 622 CE. Muharram was later designated as the first month of the Islamic calendar during the caliphate of Umar Ibn al-Khattab because it marked the period when Muslims resolved to migrate following the Pledge of Aqabah. Thus, Muharram became the beginning of the Islamic calendar, while the migration itself took place in Safar. 

Building the Foundations of a New Society

Upon arriving in Madinah, the Prophet immediately laid the foundations of the emerging Muslim community through three major initiatives. First, he established Masjid Nabawi, which served not only as a place of worship but also as the center for education, consultation, social welfare, and community development. The mosque became the heart of Madinah’s public life and the birthplace of many policies that shaped the new Muslim society.

Second, the Prophet forged bonds of brotherhood between the Muhajirin (the emigrants from Makkah) and the Ansar (the helpers of Madinah). This relationship transcended tribal affiliations, blood ties, and social status. The Qur’an commemorates the generosity of the Ansar, who gave preference to their new brothers even when they themselves lived in hardship. That spirit of solidarity became one of the defining strengths of the early Muslim community.

Third, the Prophet established agreements governing both the internal affairs of the Muslim community and the broader social order in Madinah. These arrangements laid the groundwork for a peaceful, just, and pluralistic society where diverse communities could coexist.

For that reason, the arrival of the month of Safar should be viewed as more than the beginning of another month in the Islamic calendar. It serves as a reminder that meaningful transformation begins with the courage to leave behind what is wrong and embrace what is right.

Following the Prophet’s Hijrah means continually striving for self-improvement, upholding integrity, strengthening brotherhood, and taking the Prophet’s life as a guide in every aspect of daily living. As Akhmad Arif Rifan emphasized, those who seek true happiness and salvation should follow the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad, study his life, and emulate his character in all aspects of life.

 

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