Making Hijrah from America to Madinah is rarely a decision made overnight. For the Hijrah Family, it began as a long-held dream—and became a leap driven by five clear, personal reasons. In their own words, they wanted a new adventure, a lifestyle that better reflected their values, and a daily environment that would make faith feel normal rather than “explained.”
This article brings together those five reasons, based only on what they shared in the video—so you can understand what influenced their move and what life in Madinah is like from the perspective of a family in the middle of change.
1) They wanted life outside America—and a real change of perspective
One of the biggest motivations was simple: they wanted to try life beyond America. The father explained that he spent most of his life in America, and their children were born and raised there. Although they had travelled, their experience was mostly “visiting,” not living elsewhere—down to the level that their children had never truly left even their state, Iowa, for everyday life.
Moving to Madinah became a way to step out of comfort zones, experience a new culture, and help their children grow by living something different—something beyond the familiar rhythm of home.
2) Cost of living—especially housing and everyday services
After around a year and a half living in Madinah, the family felt they could compare. Their clearest difference was housing. They described seeing rent in Madinah that they felt was significantly lower than in the Midwest (using Iowa as their reference point), including examples of larger homes for figures they found hard to match back home.
They also pointed out that while they initially expected groceries to be much cheaper, the reality was more nuanced. They said groceries aren’t “as cheap as I thought,” and that shopping choices matter—particularly if you’re looking for Western products. Still, they emphasised that other areas of daily cost can feel more affordable, especially where services are concerned.
Examples mentioned in the video included:
- House cleaning: around 30 riyals for several hours, compared with a parent’s reported US cost of 150–200 dollars for similar hours.
- Car detailing: they referenced costs around 20–30 riyals.
- Transport and convenience: they described taxis as cheaper than in the US.
Overall, their message was that labour and services can cost less, and that housing was the biggest savings area.
3) Raising children in an environment that aligns with their values
The third reason was deeply family-focused: they wanted to raise their kids somewhere that aligns with their values more. As their older children reached an age where they started comparing what friends do versus what their family allows, it became harder to explain boundaries—especially when those boundaries conflicted with what Muslims they knew in the US were doing socially.
In Madinah, they felt they found a community where the values are shared more naturally. They highlighted a few specific areas that made a noticeable difference in confidence and comfort:
- Music: they said music isn’t heard often in general, and within their expat community many families (they said “majority if not all”) either don’t listen to music or don’t allow children to.
- Hearing the adhan regularly: it feels normal to their children, with their oldest son reportedly getting ready to go to the masjid by himself when he hears the call.
- Hijab for girls: they described their oldest daughter being at the stage where she was preparing to wear hijab, and how they worried about how to introduce it without forcing her.
They shared a powerful moment: their daughter reportedly began wearing hijab by herself after seeing her expat friends wear hijab with “cute little abayas” and different styles. They emphasised that she chose it confidently—so the family felt their move played a direct role in giving her that confidence and making the transition easier.
4) Consumerism feels different—and there’s less pressure to buy
In the video, consumerism is discussed as one of the reasons they wanted to move away from the US mindset. They described the US as a place where shopping can feel relentless, with quick delivery services and a constant push towards “buy now, buy now.”
In Madinah, they acknowledged that services exist and can be very fast—such as grocery delivery and quick access through platforms like Qeta, Q-Mart, Noon, and Hunger Station (as mentioned in the video). However, they said something unexpected happened: despite the speed and convenience, they didn’t feel the same pull to constantly buy the next thing.
The family described how being in Madinah seemed to humble them and help them slow down. They explained that in their home country, excitement from receiving packages can fade quickly—leading to boredom and the desire to order again. In Madinah, they said they could teach their kids a healthier lesson: you don’t need to buy a lot to be happy or fulfilled.
5) A new rhythm: faith, family connection, and daily normalisation
While each reason above stands on its own, the family also described an overall shift in day-to-day life. From hearing the adhan as a normal part of the environment, to finding community where values feel shared, to creating space for their children to grow with confidence—Madinah became more than a destination. It became a daily framework for how their family lives.
They repeatedly returned to the idea that their children wouldn’t have to constantly process “why we don’t do that,” because the environment around them supports what they believe.
Considering your own Hijrah? Choose clarity, not just excitement
If you’re dreaming about Hijrah—especially if you’re currently tied to income in one place—this story offers something valuable: it’s not only about longing for a holy city. The Hijrah Family’s reasons were practical, emotional, and values-led. They sought a new adventure, compared the cost realities of living, and focused on building an environment where their children could practise faith confidently.
For anyone planning ahead, their experience highlights how important it is to consider everyday life: housing, services, community alignment, and how your children will experience the world around them.
Related opportunity (mentioned in the video)
The video also references Remote Rizq, described as helping Muslims develop a remote income skill through appointment setting, intended to support greater flexibility for Hijrah goals. If you want to explore that pathway, the family included a link in the description of the video.
Ready to plan your own journey to Madinah? At Sakina Tours, we help you turn inspiration into a practical, well-prepared plan—so you can move forward with confidence.
