622CE - History of Islam
The twelve Yathribans returned with 63 converted Yathribans representing various clans in Yathrib.
The second Pledge of Aqaba was made which stated that they would accept Muhammad (P.B.U.H) as their political leader and prophet. In this year, all Muslims and Muhammad (P.B.U.H) emigrated from Mecca to Yathrib, renamed as Medina, City of the Prophet.
He believed the Pledges of Aqaba were signs from God that he had to leave Mecca. By making Yathrib accept Muhammad (P.B.U.H) as a political leader as well as their prophet, he could show that Islam was not just a religion but a complete way of life. It allowed Muslims to practice their religion freely and live in peace with security and allowed Muhammad (P.B.U.H) to preach Islam openly and to a wider audience once again.
The Hijra, Beginning of the Islamic Calendar
He first sent 70 Muslims to establish and Islamic base and prepare for his arrival and the whole of Islam. This became a threat to the Meccan leaders as if in Yathrib Muhammad (P.B.U.H) formed an anti – Meccan community, then this would interfere with their trade. Numerous attempts to kill him were made and Muslims were killed. But Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and Abu Bak'r escaped with the help of God.
Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was primarily needed in Yathrib to end the bloodshed between the two clans. They accepted Muhammad (P.B.U.H) as their political leader and prophet and at first Muhammad acted in a very statesmanlike manner in order for Islam to be accepted in Yathrib. As this was the first stable establishment of Islam in a state, the caliph Umar remarked 622CE as 1AH, the first year of the Muslim era and the Islamic calendar.