The Migration of the Prophet
The Command to Migrate
The Prophet Muhammad received news about Quraish's plans to kill him due to their fear of his migration to Medina and his attachment to the city, as well as the potential harm this could bring to Mecca and its trade with Syria. It was no secret that Muhammad would seize the opportunity to migrate. However, he kept his plans hidden from everyone, not even allowing anyone access to his secret, until Abu Bakr, who had prepared two camels since the Prophet had sought permission for migration, was given limited knowledge of the matter.
Muhammad remained in Mecca until he learned about the intentions of Quraish and until only a few Muslims were left in the city. He patiently awaited his Lord's command, hoping for a divine revelation that would instruct him to migrate. At that moment, he visited Abu Bakr and informed him that Allah had granted permission for his migration, and he requested Abu Bakr to accompany him on this journey, to which Abu Bakr willingly agreed.
Ali in the Prophet's Bed
Here begins a story that exemplifies the history of adventure in the pursuit of truth, faith, and belief in strength and magnificence. Abu Bakr had prepared two camels and entrusted them to Abdullah bin Arqat to take care of them until their appointed time. When the two men decided to leave Mecca, they had no doubt that Quraish would pursue them. Therefore, Muhammad intended to take unfamiliar routes and depart at an unconventional time. The young men whom Quraish had prepared to kill him were surrounding his house at night, fearing that he might escape.
On the night of migration, Muhammad asked Ali ibn Abi Talib to sleep in his bed and cover himself with his green cloak. He instructed Ali to stay in Mecca and return the entrusted items to their owners. These young men from Quraish watched from a distance as Muhammad slept in the bed, believing he had not escaped. However, in the last third of the night, Muhammad left them behind and met with Abu Bakr, who had concealed himself with a green cloak. The direction they took towards Yemen was not the obvious choice.
Only Abdullah bin Abi Bakr and his sisters, Aisha and Asma, knew about their hiding place in the cave. Abdullah spent his days among Quraish, listening to their discussions about Muhammad's whereabouts, and he reported back to the Prophet at night. As for Amir, he herded the sheep belonging to Abu Bakr, and when evening fell, they both milked the sheep and then brought the milk to Muhammad and Abu Bakr in the cave. They stayed in the cave of Thawr for three days, during which Quraish searched tirelessly for them, even at the entrance of the cave, but they couldn't find any trace of them.
Abu Bakr became anxious when he heard footsteps near the cave and feared that the search party was getting closer. He whispered to Muhammad, "If any of them were to look under their feet, they could easily spot us". In response, Muhammad reassured him, "O Abu Bakr, what do you think of two with whom is a third, and Allah is their companion?"
As some Quraishis approached the cave and one of them climbed up to its entrance, he later returned without discovering anything. His companions asked him why he didn't check inside the cave, and he replied, "There was a spider's web over its entrance, and I saw two wild doves nesting there. I knew that no one had entered the cave recently". This convinced the search party that no one was inside the cave.
After the Quraish had left, Muhammad comforted Abu Bakr, saying, "Don't be sad, for Allah is with us". This event strengthened Abu Bakr's faith in Allah and His Messenger, and Muhammad praised Allah, declaring, "Allah is the Greatest".
The Miracle of the Cave
The intertwining of the spider's web, the two doves, and the tree are elements of the miracle that narrators of Islamic history describe in the story of the disappearance in the cave of Thawr. The essence of this miracle lies in the fact that these things were not originally present. When the Prophet and his companion sought refuge in the cave, the spider swiftly spun its web at the cave's entrance to shield them from view. Two doves came and perched at the cave's entrance, and the tree that was not there before suddenly grew and provided additional cover. The miracle in this event is eloquently described by the orientalist Dr. Darmangeat:
"These three elements—spider's web, nesting doves, and the growing tree—are the only miracle recounted in Islamic history. They are extraordinary occurrences, and every day, similar wonders take place on Allah's Earth".
Omission of Some Details
It should be noted that this particular miracle is not mentioned in the biography of Ibn Hisham. Instead, Ibn Hisham's account of the cave story includes the following:
"Muhammad, accompanied by Abu Bakr and his son Abdullah, deliberately went to the cave of Thawr, a mountain below Mecca. Abu Bakr instructed his son, Abdullah, to listen during the day to what people were saying about them and then come to them in the evening with any news. Additionally, Amir ibn Fuhayrah was instructed to graze Abu Bakr's sheep during the day and bring them to them in the cave in the evening. Asma bint Abu Bakr would bring them food when evening came. Muhammad stayed in the cave for three days. During this time, Quraysh announced a reward of one hundred camels for anyone who could bring Muhammad back to them. Abdullah ibn Abu Bakr stayed with Quraysh during the day, listened to their discussions about Muhammad and Abu Bakr, and then came to inform them of the news in the evening. Amir ibn Fuhayrah, a freedman of Abu Bakr, would follow him with the sheep until he could graze them. After three days passed, and people had stopped searching for them, a man who had rented his two camels and a guide to them came to them..".
This is what Ibn Hisham reported regarding the cave story, and we will continue with his account until the departure of Muhammad and his companion. In the pursuit of Muhammad by Quraysh and in this cave story, the verse from the Quran (Surah Al-Tawbah, 9:40) was revealed: "If you do not aid him [Muhammad] - Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out [of Makkah] as one of two, when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, 'Do not grieve; indeed Allah is with us.' And Allah sent down his tranquility upon him and supported him with angels you did not see and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest, while the word of Allah - that is the highest. And Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise". (Quran 9:40)
Heading Towards Yathrib (Medina)
On the third day, knowing that people had stopped searching for them, their companion arrived with their two camels and one more. Asma bint Abu Bakr brought them food. When they left, they could not find anything to tie the provisions and water to the saddles, so they cut the straps in half, attaching food to one half and water to the other. This is why the place was named "Dhat al-Nitaqain" (the Place of the Two Straps).
Each man mounted his camel, and with them, they carried their provisions and Abu Bakr had five thousand dirhams, all his wealth. With their seclusion in the cave and their awareness of Quraysh's determination to track them down, they were cautious. They took a route to Yathrib (Medina) that differed from the usual path taken by people. Abdullah bin Arqat, a guide, led them southward from Mecca, then turned towards Tihama, near the Red Sea coast.
When they were on a different path from the one people were accustomed to, heading northward along the coast while keeping their distance from it, they took precautions to avoid being detected by anyone. They continued their journey throughout the night and the early hours of the day, without being affected by the effort or the fatigue.
What could be more difficult than what they feared from Quraysh to deter them from achieving their goal in the path of Allah and the truth? It is true that Muhammad had no doubt that Allah would support him, but you should not throw yourselves into destruction. Allah helps the servant as long as the servant helps himself and his brother. They successfully passed through the days of seclusion in the cave, but what Quraysh had offered as a reward for information about them was tempting enough to entice people to betray them, even if it involved committing a crime. These Arabs from Quraysh considered Muhammad an enemy! In their hearts, they harbored enough malice to warrant harming the defenseless and attacking those who could not defend themselves. So, they had to be exceedingly cautious, vigilant, perceptive, and vigilant in their hearts and minds.
The Story of Suraqa
Their instincts did not fail them. A man came to Quraysh and informed them that he had seen three riders he believed to be the messenger Muhammad and some of his companions. Suraaqa bin Malik bin Ju'shum was present when this information was relayed. He said, "They are certainly the sons of so-and-so," misleading the man in order to claim the reward for Quraysh's hundred camels. He stayed with the people for a while and then returned to his house, preparing his weapons and sending his horse out of sight to the bottom of the valley. He mounted it and rode towards the direction indicated by the informant. Muhammad and Abu Bakr had sought refuge beneath a rock to rest and ease the fatigue of their journey, as well as to consume some food and water to regain their strength and patience.
As the sun began to decline, Muhammad and Abu Bakr contemplated mounting their camels as Suraaqa was approaching, within eyesight. However, Suraaqa's horse had recently experienced two severe stumblings, which made him reconsider his actions. He realized he was about to seize the two men, and he rushed to turn them in or engage them in battle if they resisted. He abandoned his horse and lunged at them. He felt as though the gods were hindering his pursuit and that he was exposing himself to grave danger if he attempted it once more. There, he halted and called out to the two men, "I am Suraaqa bin Ju'shum. Wait, I want to speak with you. By Allah, I will not harm you, nor will I inform them of anything you dislike".
When they stopped to look at him, he requested a written document from Muhammad as a pledge between him and them. Abu Bakr, by the Prophet's command, wrote a document on a piece of bone or pottery and handed it to Suraaqa. He took it and returned on his own, misleading the trackers who were pursuing the great emigrant after he had been chasing them.
Muhammad and his companion continued, traversing the desolate Tihama, a burning and arid region whose sands gleamed with the heat of the desert. They passed through Iqama and Wahada, facing an ordeal that was harder than what they feared from Quraysh. They had no shelter from the harsh environment, and no safety from the imminent danger that might surprise them. They found solace and protection only in their patience, their firm trust in Allah, and their unwavering faith in the truth revealed to His Prophet.
They continued in this way for seven consecutive days, moving through the harsh terrain of the desert, experiencing extreme heat and hardship. They could not find much to protect them from the scorching sun and provide them with shade, nor could they find refuge from the harsh conditions surrounding them. Their only refuge was in their patience their strong trust in Allah and the great faith they had in the truth that was revealed to His Messenger. They traveled onward, always hoping to reach the safety of Yathrib (Medina). Finally, they reached the territory of the Bani Sahm tribe. When their leader, Bureida, came to them, their fears subsided, and they felt secure in the protection of Allah, as they were now close to Yathrib.
The Muslims of Yathrib Await the Prophet
During this arduous journey, the news had reached Yathrib about the emigration of the Prophet and his companion. The Muslims of Yathrib were eagerly waiting for the arrival of the bearer of the message, their hearts filled with anticipation to see him and listen to him. Many of them had not seen him before but had heard about him, his eloquence, and his strong resolve. This made them even more eager to meet him and hear his message.
You can imagine the anticipation that gripped their souls as they waited for the arrival of the Prophet, knowing what he and his companion had endured in their journey and the pursuit by Quraysh. For many, the moment of meeting him was highly anticipated, and they longed to see him and hear his words. Their hearts were filled with excitement and anticipation.
As the news of the Prophet's imminent arrival spread throughout Yathrib, the people were eager to meet him. They had heard about his companions who had embraced Islam and were among the most devoted followers of the new faith. The leaders of Yathrib, who had not seen Muhammad before, were now following him, not out of blind faith, but after hearing the strong conviction of his companions.
Sa'd bin Zuraara and Mus'ab bin Umair were sitting together in a corner, and many Muslims gathered around them. The news reached them through Sa'd bin Mu'aadh and As'ad bin Zurarah, who were the leaders of their people. Sa'd said to As'ad, "Go and approach these two men who have come to our house seeking refuge; rebuke them and prevent them from staying here, for Sa'd bin Zuraara is my cousin, and I do not want to be accused of harboring them".
As'ad went to the two men to rebuke them, but Mus'ab said to him, "Why don't you sit and listen first? If you agree with what you hear, accept it, and if you disagree, you can leave what you dislike".
As'ad agreed and sat down to listen. He was moved by Mus'ab's words, converted to Islam, and returned to Sa'd with a different countenance. Sa'd was surprised and asked him about the matter, and As'ad replied, "I have embraced Islam, and you should also embrace it". Sa'd then went to his people, Bani 'Abd Al-Ashhal, and told them, "How do you know my position among you? They say that my position is higher, and I have been entrusted with leadership and oaths. But I will not accept any oaths or leadership among you until you believe in Allah and His Messenger".
Bani 'Abd Al-Ashhal, both men and women, embraced Islam.
The spread of Islam in Yathrib and the hardships faced by the Muslims there before the Prophet's arrival exceeded what the Muslims of Mecca could have imagined. Some young Muslims, before the Prophet's arrival, dared to tamper with the idols of their own people. Amr bin Al-Jamuh had an idol made of wood, which he kept in his house like the nobles of his tribe. When he embraced Islam, the young men of his tribe would secretly go to his house at night, take the idol, wash it, purify it, and then return it to its place. The idol would appear to shake, thunder, and make threats when he touched it.
Amr was annoyed by these actions, so he hung his sword on the idol and said, "If you are of any good, then protect yourself. Here is your sword". When he woke up in the morning, he found the idol in a well, tied to a dead dog, and his sword gone. Amr then realized the truth and accepted Islam, having witnessed the futility of idol worship.
It is clear that the anticipation and eagerness of the people of Yathrib to meet the Prophet were extraordinary. They eagerly awaited his arrival, having heard about his emigration and his message. When he finally arrived in Quba, a suburb of Yathrib, he stayed there for four days, and during this time, he laid the foundation of the Quba Mosque. Ali bin Abi Talib, who had returned the trusts entrusted to him in Mecca, undertook a challenging journey on foot to join his brethren in faith in Yathrib, walking during the night and hiding during the day. He endured this strenuous journey for two whole weeks before finally reuniting with his fellow Muslims.
The Entry of Muhammad into Medina
The Muslims of Yathrib were eagerly awaiting the day when their Prophet, Muhammad, would arrive. One day, a Jewish man who had witnessed their actions shouted, "O people of Qayla, your companion has come!" This day happened to be a Friday, so the Prophet led the Friday prayer in the city of Medina.
Inside the mosque located in the valley of Ranuna, the Muslims of Yathrib gathered, each trying to catch a glimpse of Muhammad and get closer to him. They wanted to see this man whom they had never seen before but who had filled their hearts with love and faith in his message. During their daily prayers, they had remembered him repeatedly.
The leaders of the city offered Muhammad and his companions to stay with them, providing them with accommodation and support. However, Muhammad declined their offer and mounted his camel, releasing its reins. The camel set off on the path towards Yathrib, with the Muslims surrounding it in a grand procession. People from both the Jewish and pagan communities of Yathrib watched in awe as this new life entered their city.
They witnessed the arrival of a great leader who had brought together the Aws and Khazraj, two rival tribes who had been enemies for generations under the banner of Islam. None of them could have foreseen the transformation that was taking place in their city, and none of them could have imagined the grandeur and significance of this moment in history.
As the camel continued its journey, it reached a spot near the home of two orphan boys from the Banu Najjar named Sahl and Suhail. The Prophet inquired about the owners of the field and was told that it belonged to two orphan cousins, Amr and Amr. He expressed his desire to buy the land and offered to build a mosque and a house there.
Muhammad descended from his camel and made arrangements for the construction of his mosque and dwelling. This marked the beginning of a new era for the city of Yathrib, now known as Medina. The mosque that was established at this site, known as the Quba Mosque, became the first mosque in Islam, and its significance and importance in the history of the Muslim community are unparalleled.
