Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 134
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 134 track of the movements of Quraish and to make a daily report of them in the evening. He arrived every evening in the cave and spent the night with the fugitives. Abu Bakr had also arranged with his servant, Aamir bin Fuhairah, who was in charge of his goat s, to keep them supplied with milk. Thus, they spent three nights in the cave. It had been arranged with Abdullah bin Areeqat of Bani Dail, who was a trustworthy person, was well paid, and was an expert guide, that he should accompany them in their journey. Abu Bakr had committed the two dromedaries to his care and he had been directed to bring them to the cave on the fourth evening. He arrived as he had been instructed and the party of four, including Aamir bin Fuhairah, servant of Abu Bakr, started on the ir journey to Yathrab. At the moment of departure the Holy Prophet turned his face in the direction of Mecca and said, ‘Mecca, thou art dearer to me than all other places; but thy people would not let me dwell on in thee. ’ As pursuit was still possible, the small company of travellers bore west towards the coast and then continued north, parallel to the sea. About mid - day, they made a halt in the shade of a rock, where Abu Bakr succeeded in procuring a quantity of milk from a passing goat - herd. After a brief rest they resumed their journey. A short while later Abu Bakr warned the Holy Prophet that someone appeared to be pursuing them, and was reassured by him that there was no cause for alarm. The pursuer turned out to be one Suraqa bin Malik. His version of the encounter was as follows: ‘When the Holy Prophet escaped from Mecca, Quraish announced that whoever brought Muhammad or Abu Bakr, dead or alive, back to Mecca, would be richly rewarded. Their