An Outline of Early Islamic History — Page 29
29 “Fear not. For surely Allah is with us both. ” The Prophet and Abu Bakr left the cave after three days. On the way they were overtaken by one Suraqa bin Malik. He was pursuing them on horseback. His mount stumbled three times. Suraqa took fright at this and, calling them, sought peace. He told them tha t he had come to win the reward set on their heads. But, he said, he had changed his mind. He then rode back. The Prophet said to him, “O Suraqa, how will you feel with the bangles of Hormoz on your wrists?” “Hormoz, the Emperor of Iran?” asked Suraqa. “Yes,” said the Prophet. Suraqa stood rooted to the spot in utter amazement. Welcome to Medina After a hard journey of eight days, the Prophet reached Yasreb. It was the 20th day of September 622. The people of the town had learnt of his departure from Mecca. The y were expecting him. They kept turning out en masse for several days to receive him. One day a Jew espied from his house a party dressed in white. He shouted at the top of his voice: