Final answer:
The hegire of 622 was the emigration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina, marking a significant turning point for the early Muslim community.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hegire of 622 was the emigration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to the city of Yathrib, which later became known as Medina. This event marked a significant turning point for the early Muslim community, as it solidified their unity under Muhammad's leadership and allowed Islam to spread beyond Mecca.
The hijra was a response to persecution and increasing aggression against the Muslims by the polytheist Meccans. Upon arriving in Medina, Muhammad established a new political and religious order, leading to the development of an Islamic state and the establishment of Medina as the center of the growing Muslim community.
This historical event is so significant that it became the starting point for the Islamic lunar calendar, with 622 CE considered the first year (labeled as AH - After the Hijra) in the Muslim calendar.