4. Seerah: Hijrah
Once the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah had taken this pledge, the Muslims had more security and some from Makkah took refuge with the Ansar. The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah ordered his Companions and those Muslims who were with him in Makkah to leave for Madinah, and to join their brothers among the Ansar. He said, ‘Allah has given you brothers and an abode where you will be safe.’ They soon began to leave Makkah.
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah, however, remained in Makkah waiting for Allah’s permission to emigrate to Madinah.
The emigration of the Muslims from Makkah was not easy. The Quraysh put many obstacles in their way and subjected the emigrants to considerable stress. However, the emigrants were determined to go. They did not want to remain in Makkah. Some, including Abu Salamah, were forced to leave their wives and children behind and to travel alone. Some had to relinquish all they had earned in their lifetime. Suhayb was among those who lost all their wealth.
Umar ibn al-Khattab, Talhah, Hamzah, Zayd ibn Harithah, Abdur-Rahman ibn Awf, Zubayr ibn al-Awwam, Abu Hudhayfah, Uthman ibn Affan and others emigrated (may Allah be pleased with them) and the emigration continued apace. None were left in Makkah with the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah except for those who were imprisoned or awaiting trial, apart from Ali ibn Abi Talib and Abu Bakr ibn Abi Quhafah.
THE QURAYSH’S FINAL PLOT FAILS:
When the Quraysh saw that the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah had Companions and helpers in Madinah over whom they had no power, they were alarmed about his departure. They knew that if that happened, they would have no means to stop him. So they assembled in the Dar an-Nadwah, the house of Qusayy ibn Kilab which the Quraysh used when decision-making, The Quraysh nobles consulted one another on what to do about the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah.
They finally agreed that each tribe would provide a young warrior and together they would attack the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah, each man striking a blow. That way responsibility for his death would be divided among the tribes and the Banu Abd Manaf would not be able to fight them all.
Allah informed His Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of this plot, so he could tell Ali ibn Abi Talib to sleep in his bed wrapped up in his cloak, adding, ‘Nothing unpleasant will happen to you.
When the murderous gang gathered at the door intending to attack, the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah came out and took up a handful of dust. Allah then instantly removed their sight and the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah scattered the dust over their heads while reciting verses from Surah Ya Sin, ‘We have covered them so that they do not see,’ (36: 9) Someone came to them and said, ‘What are you waiting here for’
‘Muhammad,’ they replied.
‘May Allah disappoint you!’ he said. ‘By Allah, he came out earlier and went about his business.’
When they looked and saw someone sleeping on the bed they did not doubt that it was the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah. But in the morning when Ali got up from the bed, they were so embarrassed that they slunk away quietly.
THE HIJRAH OF THE MESSENGER(SALLALLAHU ALAIYHI WASSALLAM) OF ALLAH:
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah went to Abu Bakr to tell him, ‘Allah has given me permission to emigrate.’
Abu Bakr exclaimed, ‘In company, Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah?
‘In company,’ replied the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah, and Abu Bakr wept for joy.
Abu Bakr brought two camels which he had in readiness for the journey and hired Abdullah ibn Urayqit to act as their guide. Over the years, the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah had developed such a reputation for honesty that the unbelieving Quraysh would deposit their valuables with him, certain that they would be safe. This day he charged Ali with the responsibility for returning all the property to its rightful owners.
THE CAVE OF THAWR:
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah and Abu Bakr left Makkah secretly. Abu Bakr asked his son, Abdullah ibn Abi Bakr, to find out what people were saying about them in Makkah and he asked ‘Air ibn Fuhayrah, his freed slave, to graze his milking sheep in the daytime but to bring them to the each night. Asma’ bint Abi Bakr would bring them food.
They went to the Cave of Thawr. Abu Bakr went in first to clean it up and to make sure that it was safe so that nothing could harm the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah. Once he was satisfied he called him in.
When they were inside Allah sent a spider to spin a web from a bush across the entrance to the cave. It concealed the fact that the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah and Abu Bakr had only just gone in. Allah also commanded two wild doves to fly down between the spider and the tree. They made a nest there and laid eggs. ‘To Allah belong the armies of the heavens and the earth.’ (48: 4)
The idol-worshippers followed the tracks of the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah’s party, but when they reached the mountain they became confused. They climbed up the hillside passing close to the cave. However, when they saw the spider’s web they said, ‘If anyone had entered here, there would not be a spider’s web across the opening. Then, they rode on. Abu Bakr saw the idol-worshippers coming. In alarm he said, ‘Messenger of Allah, if one of them steps forward, he will see us.’
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah replied, ‘Why worry about two when Allah is the third!’
Allah says in the Qur’an, /… the second of the two; when the two were in the Cave, when he said to his companion, “Grieve not. Allah is with us.” ‘(9: 40)
SURAQAH’S EXPERIENCE:
When the Quraysh realised that the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah had escaped, they offered a hundred camels to anyone who handed him over, dead or alive. The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah remained in the cave for three days and then left with ‘Air ibn Fuhayrah who guided him along the coastal route.
Suraqah ibn Malik ibn Ju’sham was eager to get the reward offered for the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah. He was tracking his footsteps when his horse stumbled and he was thrown off. He refused to give up so he mounted again and rode on. His horse stumbled a second time and he fell again. Determined to capture his quarry, he rode on once more. Just as he caught sight of the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah, his horse stumbled a third time. Its feet sank into the sand and Suraqah fell. Then he watched as dust rose from the ground like a sandstorm in front of him.
When Suraqah saw that happen, he knew that the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah was under the protection of Allah. He realised that the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah would certainly have the upper hand over his enemies. He called out, ‘I am Suraqah ibn Ju’sham. Wait for me so that I can speak to you. By Allah, I will not harm you.’
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah said to Abu Bakr, ‘Ask him what he wants from us.’
‘Write a document for me which will be a warrant of security.’
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah asked ‘Air ibn Fuhayrah to write it and Suraqah kept the piece of leather (or bone) on which it was written for many years. The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah, looking ahead to the day when the Persian empire would crumble, said to Suraqah, ‘How will you feel when you are wearing the bracelets of Chosroes?’
And indeed that event took place. When Persia was conquered, the bracelets, belt and crown of Chosroes were brought to Umar. He summoned Suraqah ibn Malik and put the royal insignia on him.
Although Suraqah offered the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah provisions for his journey to Madinah, they were not accepted. He only asked, ‘Conceal our presence.’
A BLESSED MAN:
During their journey the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah’s party passed the tent of Umm Ma’bad al-Khuza’iyyah who had a goat which was giving no milk during the drought. The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah stroked its udder, invoked the name of Allah and prayed for a blessing. Milk flowed. He gave Umm Ma’bad and his Companions milk to drink until they were satisfied. Then he drank last of all. The ewe was milked a second time and her milk filled a vessel. When Abu Ma’bad returned home, his wife told him what had happened, exclaiming, ‘BY Allah, it could only have been a blessed man who passed by us.’
When she described the angelic stranger, he said, ‘By Allah, I think it is the man whom the Quraysh are seeking.’
