As the Islamic new year of 1448 AH has commenced, Muslims around the world pause to remember the Hijrah, the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Mecca to Medina. It is a moment for reflection, and for many learners it also sparks a deeper question: how can I understand my faith with real depth and structure? At UMA College in Sydney, the Diploma of Islamic Studies answers exactly that question, giving students a nationally accredited pathway to study this heritage with rigour and care.
The Hijrah: a turning point for Islam
The Hijrah was far more than a journey between two cities. It marked the moment when a persecuted community in Mecca was able to establish the first Islamic state in Medina. The city formerly known as Yathrib was renamed Madinah, the city of the Prophet, and it became the heart from which the early Muslim community grew.
The migration itself was difficult and dangerous. The Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions left behind homes, property and the sacred city they loved. Yet what began in hardship opened into one of the most significant transformations in human history. This is why the Hijrah, rather than the Prophet’s birth or the conquest of Mecca, came to define the start of the Islamic calendar.
Why the companions chose the Hijrah to begin the calendar
The Islamic calendar was formally established during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), once the Muslim community had grown and spread well beyond the Arabian Peninsula. As the community encountered other nations, cultures and faiths, the need for its own dating system became clear.
The companions considered several events as a possible starting point, including the Prophet’s birth, the first revelation and the conquest of Mecca. They chose the Hijrah because it represented the decisive turning point: the shift from oppression to stability, and the founding of a community that could practise and govern by its values. Understanding decisions like this is part of what makes formal study so rewarding, and it sits at the centre of the Diploma of Islamic Studies curriculum.
The true migration: leaving what is harmful
One of the most powerful teachings connected to the Hijrah is the idea of the inner migration. The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that the true migrant is the one who turns away from what Allah has forbidden. In other words, the lesson of the Hijrah is not locked in the past. It continues for every believer who chooses good character over harm, patience over despair, and faith over fear.
The Qur’an reminds believers that ease accompanies hardship. The early community lived this truth. Their trials in Mecca were severe, yet relief and growth followed in Medina. For learners today, that same principle offers encouragement: meaningful knowledge takes effort, and the reward is lasting.
Lessons for today
The Hijrah carries themes that remain deeply relevant for Australian Muslims and learners worldwide:
- Knowledge as transformation. The early community grew through understanding, leadership and sound principles.
- Patience through difficulty. Beginnings are often the hardest part, and persistence brings opening.
- Community and identity. Medina shows how shared values can build a strong, supportive community.
- Character over ritual alone. The inner migration reminds us that faith is lived through ethics and conduct.
Study this heritage: the Diploma of Islamic Studies at UMA College
The Diploma of Islamic Studies (11114NAT) at UMA College gives you the chance to study these foundations in a structured, supportive and accredited environment. Rather than learning in fragments, you build a connected understanding of Islamic history, principles and sciences, guided by experienced educators.
The course is delivered by UMA College, a Registered Training Organisation based in Sydney, and it is nationally recognised training. You can study with confidence knowing the qualification is listed on the national register at training.gov.au. The diploma suits learners who want to deepen their personal knowledge, support their community, or build a strong foundation for further study.
Begin your own journey of knowledge
If the lessons of the Hijrah inspire you to study your faith with greater depth this new year, UMA College is ready to support you.
- View the course: 11114NAT Diploma of Islamic Studies
- Download the brochure: Diploma of Islamic Studies course brochure (PDF)
- Ask a question: email [email protected]
May this Hijri new year bring you knowledge, growth and barakah.