Muhajir
/muˈhɑː.dʒɪr/noun
A Muslim emigrant, especially one who leaves a homeland for religious or political reasons.
Did you know?In early Islamic history, the Muhājirūn were believers who emigrated from Mecca to Medina in the Hijra, an event that begins the Islamic calendar.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
*h-g-r
“To leave, depart, or abandon; a reconstructed Semitic root”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
hajara
“He left, abandoned, or emigrated”
7th Century
Quranic Arabic
muhājir
“One who emigrates or leaves for a religious cause”
7th Century
Arabic
al-Muhājirūn
“The emigrants, especially the Muslims who left Mecca for Medina”
Medieval Latin
Latin
Hegira
“The Hijra, or Muhammad’s emigration from Mecca to Medina”
20th Century
English
Muhajir
“A Muslim migrant or refugee, particularly in South Asian historical contexts”