Muharram: How to Gain the Reward of a Muhajir without Emigrating

Muharram Reflections on the Hijra (Migration)
The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said on the day of the Conquest of Mecca:
There is no Hijra (migration) after conquering Makkah but (only) jihad (striving in the way of Allah) and niyyah (sincere intention) [have great reward]; when you are asked to set out (on an expedition undertaken for the cause of Islam) you should (readily) do so. (Muslim)
Hijra was an obligation for believers until the conquest of Makkah. After the conquest, the dust had settled, Islam had spread and the obligation ended. However how can we gain the reward of hijra now?
We still have the opportunity to gain reward for two things, jihad and niyyah.
Jihad
The wider meaning of jihad is struggling against your whims and desires, improving your own character, and delivering goodness. Fighting for justice, and opposing oppression is jihad as well.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned the definition of jihad:
The Mujahid (the one who strives in the way of Allah) is one who strives against his own whims and desires. (Tirmidhi)
How We Apply Hijra to Our Lives
Although we don’t have Hijra anymore, we still can apply the principle of Hijra to ourselves, which is not migrating from one place to another, but moving from one action to another.
When the Prophet (peace be on him) was asked who is a al muhajir the immigrant? He replied:
The one who forsakes what Allah Almighty has prohibited. (Bukhari).
We can all be muhajir when abandon what Allah Almighty has prohibited – this is an on-going Hijra.
Even though the obligation of Hijra ended after the conquest of Makkah we have an on-going Hijra. Every day, when we take the bus, or train or drive, when we deal with difficulties, we can be a muhajir, by leaving what displeases Allah Almighty and doing what pleases Allah Almighty.
Khutbah delivered by Shaykh Haytham Tamim
Transcribed by Sana Zuberi
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