Is Hijrah still obligatory? What’s the implication of Prophet Muhammad’s (ﷺ) statement, that there is no hijrah after the conquest of Makkah, but intention and jihad?

'A'ishah (رضى الله عنها) reported that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked about migration, whereupon he said:

“There is no migration after the Conquest (of Mecca), but Jihad and sincere intention. When you are asked to set out (for the cause of Islam), you should set out.”[1]

Thus, some people say that hijrah is finished, and the command that it was wajib, was hijrah in the time of Prophet (ﷺ). However, reality is that hijrah is wajib in different stages.

The first hijrah was to Ethiopia, in the Makkan period, wherein some of the Prophet’s (ﷺ) companions fled because of oppression that was taking place in Makkah; they fled for their religion, and those who were able did it as it was recommended at that time, and not obligatory. At that time, most people were not able to do it, and that is why it wasn't made obligatory on the Ummah. It was recommended for those who could make hijrah. The journey to Abyssinia was not easy, rather, it was a major one, and therefore, most people were weak to do it, so the obligation was not put on the community.

Once Medina was established with the hijrah of the Prophet (ﷺ), hijrah to Medina became an absolute obligation. So, everybody who could, was supposed to go, and if one was able and did not make hijrah, it was a sin. The Qur’anic verse came as a reminder to that obligation, to make hijrah to Medina. Of course, there were those who could not go to Medina, as there were exceptions, but the rest of the people left, leaving their property and belongings behind.

One cannot make excuses that if he makes hijrah, he will have to sell his house and property, he will go through a financial crisis, will not get profit etc. If it is time for hijrah then he must go forward. The people of Makkah left their properties, as the Makkan people did not allow them to take anything. Men and women left their spouses behind too.

However, once Makkah was conquered, the obligation for Muslims to make hijrah to Medina was lifted. There was no longer an obligation to move to Medina because Makkah had now become part of Darul Islam, and people could practice Islam freely. However, the Prophet (ﷺ) left behind instructions indicating that though the obligation of hijrah to Medina was no longer there, the obligation of hijrah remained in the Muslim community as a principle, till the last day of this world.

In a hadeeth narrated by Mu’awiyah (رضى الله عنه), he quotes that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“As long as repentance (Taubah) is accepted, hijrah will not cease, and repentance will be accepted until sun rises from the west.”[2]

That is one of the major signs of the Last Day. So, the Prophet (ﷺ) here confirms that hijrah is ongoing, and it didn't end with conquest of Makkah.

He said,

"I absolved myself from all those who live in the midst of mushriks (the idol worshippers, the pagans)."[3]

The messenger of Allah (ﷺ) absolves himself from us saying, this is not the way to live, and it is not proper that Muslims live in midst of the idolaters. One who does so will not be aided by the intercession of the Prophet (ﷺ).

In the same narration, it states, “they should not see your fires, nor should you see theirs” [4] meaning, those around you should be Muslims and you should not live where all of your neighbors are non-Muslims, as that is wrong, and it is not permissible to live like that, as long as he or she is capable of living otherwise. Of course, we have exceptions due to circumstances, so we should not make the exceptions the rule. However, for the majority, there is no exception. The principle of hijrah is the principle of the community and that of establishing communities.

References:

[1] Muslim, no. 4599

[2] Ahmad, (1/192) (1671)

[3] Abu Dawud, no. 1530, 2274

[4] Abu Dawud, no. 1530, 2274