"The Messenger of Allah said on the Day of the Conquest (of Makkah): "There is no more emigration (Hijrah), rather there is Jihad and intention. When you are called to moblize (for Jihad) then do so."'
The Book of al-Bay'ah - Sunan an-Nasa'i
Hadith Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 4170
Contextual Background
This noble hadith was uttered by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on the momentous Day of the Conquest of Makkah in the 8th year after Hijrah. This marked the culmination of the Muslim struggle and the establishment of Islamic sovereignty in the Arabian Peninsula.
Meaning of "No More Emigration"
The declaration "There is no more emigration" signifies the end of the obligatory Hijrah from Makkah to Madinah. With Makkah now under Muslim control, the original purpose of emigration - to escape persecution and establish a secure base for Islam - had been achieved. The physical Hijrah as a religious obligation ceased with this conquest.
The Continuing Spiritual Dimensions
While physical emigration ended, the spiritual dimensions remain eternally valid. The Prophet redirected the community's focus to Jihad and intention (niyyah), indicating that the struggle now shifts to different forms - primarily the jihad of the soul, tongue, and sword when necessary.
Jihad as the New Priority
Jihad here encompasses both the greater jihad (struggle against one's base desires) and the lesser jihad (physical defense of the Muslim community). The emphasis on mobilization indicates the collective responsibility to respond when the Muslim leadership calls for defense of the Ummah.
The Role of Intention (Niyyah)
Intention remains the foundation of all deeds in Islam. Even after the cessation of obligatory Hijrah, the believer's intention to please Allah and uphold His religion continues to be the driving force behind all actions, including responding to the call for jihad.
Scholarly Consensus
Classical scholars like Imam Nawawi and Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani explain that this hadith establishes the abrogation of obligatory Hijrah while affirming the perpetual obligation of jihad when needed. The spiritual hijrah - emigrating from what Allah has forbidden - remains eternally binding upon every Muslim.