Chief of the Prophets

Chief of the Prophets — Page 82

Chapter Six 82 O Messenger of Allah! Can I accompany you? 1 Muḥammad sa agreed. Abū Bakr ra sobbed out of joy and said, “O Messenger of Allah! I have been rearing two she-camels in preparation for the migration—please accept one of them. ” Muḥammad sa said, “Yes, I accept it but on the condition that I will pay for it. ” Abū Bakr ra reluctantly agreed and thus the preparation for the migration began. After reviewing the plan with Abū Bakr ra , Muḥammad sa returned home to give instructions to his cousin ‘Alī bin Abī Ṭālib ra. He told ‘Alī ra , “Sleep in my bed tonight, and return all the items that people have entrusted me with for safekeeping before you leave Makkah. ” The night was dark and the youth of Makkah had besieged the house of Muḥammad sa. They were waiting for the time of dawn to attack Muḥammad sa according to their vicious plan. They could never imagine that in spite of their vigilance, Muḥammad sa could depart in the first part of the night, defeating all of their plans. Refuge in the Cave of Thaur Muḥammad sa carefully observed the besiegers outside the house and, finding a gap in their vigil, slipped out right through their midst very quietly passing through the streets of Makkah and heading towards the Cave of Thaur. 2 Abū Bakr ra met Muḥammad sa en route and both of them reached the Cave of Thaur as planned. First, Abū Bakr ra entered the cave and cleared the cave and then Muḥammad sa followed him. 1 Bukhārī, Kitābul-Buyū‘ (Book of Sales and Trade). 2 This cave is located three miles south of Makkah on an uninhabited and barren mountain at a significant height.