The Hijrah Trek

During the blessed Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, the travellers journeyed north through valleys and lava tracts east of the main caravan routes, passing through al-Ghawla, ʿUwayjah, and west of Mount Jumdān. On a later journey, the Prophet ﷺ referred to Jumdān saying it had “surpassed the mufridūn”—those who remember Allah often, as narrated by Abu Hurayrah.

The journey continued toward the Valley of ʿAmj and along the western edge of nearby lava fields until the group reached the tents of Umm Maʿbad al-Khuzaʿiyyah in the Valley of Qudayd. Despite a time of drought, the Prophet ﷺ miraculously provided milk from a frail goat. This encounter inspired Umm Maʿbad’s renowned description of the Prophet ﷺ, one of the most detailed accounts of his character and appearance.

After resting, the travellers proceeded through the Valley of Qudayd and along the caravan route bordering the lava tract of al-Mushallal. In the Valley of Khulayya, the Qurayshi tracker Suraqah ibn Malik pursued the Prophet ﷺ after the Quraysh placed a reward for his capture, but was miraculously stopped when his horse sank into the sand.

The journey then passed through al-Kharrār and by Al-Juhfah, later established as a miqāt for pilgrims from Syria and Egypt. Today, its remains include Abbasid-era basalt ruins.

On the third day, Wednesday 14 September (3 Rabīʿ al-Awwal), the travellers again passed through al-Kharrār, reaching the well-known landmark of Khum Creek.