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talk useless, and in fact, even threatening to their established beliefs. In this way he made many opponents. There were also some who were envious of his large following and recognition. So it happened that these sought to do him harm out of their jealousy.
For many years Muhammad taught the divine message in secret, tolerating many abuses. After this period Muhammad received Divine instruction to teach this message in the open. His enemies reacted adversely, continued to inflict abuses, and even threatened to take his life. Due to this increasing threat and danger, at the age of 53 Muhammad was forced to leave Mecca to take refuge in Medina. The people of Medina welcomed him wholeheartedly. It can be said that the Islamic faith actually began to spread from Medina. This year of Muhammad's migration to Medina came to be called the Hijri or Hijrah by the followers of Islam. The word Hijri literally means 'to abandon a place.' The Islamic calendar reckons the year of the Hijri as the first year. At the age of 63, Muhammad left this material world.
His last words were:
Every person should work toward their own liberation.
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