The Journey
On foot, in the footsteps of the Prophet ﷺ
A 5-day scholar-led walk from Makkah to Madinah — three days through the desert, retracing the documented Hijrah route between December2026.
A challenge of body and soul
The Makkah to Madinah Hijrah Route Challenge
Embark on an extraordinary journey following the Hijrah route once traversed by the greatest man to have ever lived, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This spiritually enriching and physically demanding challenge aims to replicate the Hijrah journey as closely as possible. With the guidance of knowledgeable sheikhs and local experts, we will trek through the desert, camp under the stars, and reflect on the experiences of the Prophet ﷺ and his companions.
Combining the essence of history, spirituality, and fitness, this challenge seeks to inspire Muslims worldwide to embrace a healthier lifestyle while spreading the message of peace and unity.
Why we walk
Three threads woven into every step
Spiritual immersion
Daily prayers in the open desert, sirah lessons at the actual landmarks, and personal reflection guided by our sheikhs.
Historical authenticity
We follow the documented Hijrah route — identifying landmarks, valleys, and locations of where verses of the Qur'an were revealed.
Physical challenge
5 days walking the desert under the same sun the Prophet ﷺ walked under, with two SUV support vehicles always alongside.
Our inspiration
Standing on the shoulders of Maulana Zakariyya Muhammad
During our preparation we were inspired by individuals who have meticulously studied this sacred path. Two such people we were fortunate to learn from are Maulana Zakariyya Muhammad and Sheikh Abdul Hafedh.
Maulana Zakariyya Muhammad is the author of Makkah to Madinah — A Photographic Journey of the Hijrah Route. He spent several years of research driven by the simple desire to determine as precisely as possible the exact route of the Hijrah. He conducted dozens of field expeditions, collecting GPS coordinates, identifying landmarks, calculating distances, and covering as much of the entire route on foot as possible. He examined every available resource — from hadith and seerah literature, to historical documents, to maps from the eighteenth century through the present — and conducted extensive interviews with local residents to glean information handed down through generations.
After analysing, synthesizing, and cross-checking that research, he determined as precisely as possible the exact route of the Prophet's ﷺ Hijrah. Our walk follows that work.
Landmarks of the route
Sirah, written into the landscape
Some of the moments and places you will walk through, in the order the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr ﷺ encountered them.
Cave of Thawr
Where the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Bakr ﷺ took refuge while the Quraysh searched outside. Reflect on tawakkul, friendship, and the words: 'Do not grieve — Allah is with us.'
Valley of al-Ghawla & Mount Jumdan
The hadith of Abu Hurayrah at Mount Jumdan: 'Keep going — this is Jumdan who has surpassed the al-mufridoun: those men and women who remember God often.'
Tents of Umm Ma'bad
Where Umm Ma'bad welcomed the travellers. The Prophet ﷺ touched her emaciated goat while reciting the name of God and miraculously there was milk in abundance.
Valley of Khulayyah — Suraqah
The Quraysh tracker Suraqah bin Malik almost succeeded in capturing the Prophet ﷺ — until the legs of his horse miraculously sank deep into the sand.
Al-Juhfah
Today the miqat for pilgrims coming from Syria and Egypt. The area where Surah al-Qasas was revealed as the Prophet ﷺ travelled back missing Madinah.
Khum Creek & onward to Madinah
One of the more well-known landmarks of the route, before the final approach into the city of the Ansar.
Umm Ma'bad's description
How she described the Prophet ﷺ
"A man of evident cleanliness, fine in character, his face handsome, slim in form, his head not too small, elegant and good-looking, his eyes large and black, his brows high and arched, his neck long and beard thick. He gave an impression of dignity when silent and of high intelligence when he talked. His logic was impressive, he was decisive, not trivial, nor trite, his words flowing forth like a perfect string of pearls. He seemed the most splendid and fine looking man from a distance and the very best of all from close by. He was medium in height, the eye not finding him too tall nor too short. He has companions who surround him. If he speaks, they listen to him, and if he commands, they hasten to fulfil his command. He is well served and attended, though he is neither stern nor argumentative."
Join us — walk in his ﷺ footsteps.
Connect with our faith, embrace history, and challenge yourself both spiritually and physically.