What is it really like to leave America and make hijrah? In an honest conversation by The Hijrah Family, two best friends who both left the U.S. share their journeys—one moving to Madinah and the other to Cairo, Egypt, specifically Madinaty. Their discussion isn’t designed to sugar-coat anything. Instead, it focuses on the real reasons behind the decision, the practical realities of moving abroad, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
If you’ve ever dreamed of making hijrah, wondered what life after leaving America could look like, or simply want an authentic perspective from people living the experience, this article draws together the key themes from the video—so you can reflect, plan, and take the next step with clarity and hope.
Why They Chose Hijrah: Family, Faith, Food (and Deeper Reasons)
Both friends describe meaningful motivations for their moves. While their paths differ, the heart of their stories connects to what they value most.
- Family: One of them explained that family played a major role—her husband’s family moved to Egypt after the war in Sudan, and being near loved ones became a powerful reason to go.
- Faith: They both emphasise the impact of living in a Muslim country, with hijrah framed not just as geography, but as deepening religious practice and learning.
- Food (a lighter “F” they mentioned): They also refer to the comfort and familiarity of everyday life in a Muslim-majority environment.
- Children’s exposure to Islam: A standout point in the Cairo/Madinaty story is how quickly children can learn. One child, now in school, learned more Quran in months than she expected—because the environment sets a different baseline of what learning looks like day-to-day.
Madinah vs Cairo (Madinaty): Two Different Experiences, Shared Themes
The conversation compares two locations without claiming they are the same. Instead, the focus is on how each place helped them transition.
Cairo, Egypt (Madinaty): Choosing a “Suburb-Like” Community
The friend living in Egypt shared that when she says “Egypt,” she means more precisely Madinaty—a compound-like community that feels more walkable and closer to a “suburb” style life than the rest of Greater Cairo. She described this as helpful for easing the transition.
She also highlighted a key reason many families consider Madinaty: it can make day-to-day life feel more manageable, especially during the first months of adjustment.
Making the Move to Madinah: A Different Route, Similar Intentions
The Madinah friend explained that her journey differed in how the move was structured. In her case, it involved selling everything and leaving the country. She encouraged viewers not to assume hijrah must look only one way—there’s a “spectrum” of options depending on circumstances, responsibilities, and timelines.
The Realities of Moving Abroad (And Why It’s Harder Without Arabic)
While they spoke with optimism, they acknowledged the truth: leaving America comes with real challenges.
- Different systems: Life runs on new rules, processes, and expectations.
- Language barriers: They specifically noted that if you don’t speak Arabic, moving can feel “10 times more challenging.”
- Comfort vs complications: They cautioned against viewing the move as something you must make more complicated than it needs to be. The goal is to take meaningful steps, not to force unnecessary hardship.
At the same time, the tone of the video is encouraging: if Arabic is a barrier, that doesn’t automatically mean you can’t move—you just plan with more intention and support.
Advice for Prospective Movers: Be Flexible With Your Timeline
One of the most reassuring messages is that hijrah doesn’t have to follow a single deadline.
They discussed how people can approach the move in different ways:
- Short visits first: They suggested that even a trip—such as during winter break—can help you and your children benefit from the experience.
- Seasonal opportunities: If you can’t move during the school year, consider going during summer.
- Year-by-year decisions: They repeatedly stressed it’s okay not to have every plan for colleges or long-term schooling immediately. “It’s not the end of the world” to take things step by step.
- Try a “trial” structure: They mentioned options like online learning or taking children out for a semester (where possible), and returning if needed.
This flexibility matters, particularly when you’re balancing job constraints, family responsibilities, or uncertainty about what your next chapter will look like.
Finding Community: The Difference Between Feeling Alone and Feeling Known
Another major theme is community. They explained that belonging can be tricky both ways:
- From an American perspective: Some people feel they don’t fully fit in.
- In a new country: People may also feel “too American.”
Their advice is to actively look for your people—whether through local networks, WhatsApp groups, or other community spaces—so you don’t feel like you’re navigating alone. Community, they suggest, makes a huge difference in confidence and comfort.
Kids and Learning: Not “Too Young” for Knowledge
They addressed a common concern: whether children are too young to benefit from a move.
They encouraged viewers not to assume children can’t learn at early ages. They specifically mentioned children in the five to seven range as being capable of learning quickly—sometimes faster than older kids because they’re still absorbing language and Quran naturally.
They also pointed out that children often adapt within the context of daily routines—especially when learning is part of normal life.
What About Work and Income?
The video also includes a practical note for viewers who worry about finances. Rather than framing income as something you can only achieve through a traditional job, they discussed the idea of building a portable income skill.
They highlighted an “appointment setting” programme in partnership with Remote Rizq (as mentioned in the video). The message shared is that you can learn a skill and use it across locations, rather than relying only on one specific employer or country-bound work structure. (Any details beyond what’s stated in the video are not provided here.)
Honest Takeaways: You Don’t Need Everything Figured Out
Perhaps the strongest theme is reassurance. Hijrah can feel overwhelming before you move, especially when questions pile up—like jobs, language, and schooling. But the conversation repeatedly returns to one principle: trust Allah, take the means, and move at a pace that matches your reality.
One friend even described it as: you may intend one plan, but “Allah has a plan for you that you don’t know.” And that’s why they encourage viewers to consider steps that fit them—whether that’s a full move, a seasonal trip, or gradually building toward the decision.
Planning Your Own Hijrah: A Practical Starting Point
If you’re considering hijrah, here are grounded ideas drawn directly from the conversation:
- Start with intention: Clarify why you want to move—family, faith, and children’s exposure to deen are key themes they shared.
- Choose a flexible path: You don’t have to jump to the “sell everything” version—there’s more than one way.
- Prioritise community: Find networks and support so you feel known and helped.
- Plan around language realistically: If Arabic is a challenge, plan for it rather than letting it stop you.
- Take things year by year: You can decide schooling and long-term steps later.
Final Thought
Whether you’re drawn to Madinah or Cairo (Madinaty), The Hijrah Family’s conversation offers something valuable: an honest look at the reasons, the realities, and the practical adjustments that make hijrah possible. Most importantly, it reminds you that you don’t need to have every detail solved before you begin—just a sincere intention, support around you, and the courage to take meaningful steps.
Ready to explore hijrah further? Reflect on your timeline, your support system, and how you’d like to structure your first phase—whether through visits, seasonal plans, or a full move.
