All the Muslims of Makkah had departed except, Rasulullah ,
Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) and the youthful Hazrat Ali (R.A.). The Quraish
were furious since they were not able to stop the mass exodus of Muslims
to Madinah. They pondered over urgent ways and means to stop Rasulullah
from leaving Makkah.
A big conference of the leaders of Quraish was held at Dar-un-Nadwah
and many resolutions were tabled to decide the issue. But, even the idea
of banishment or exile of Rasulullah
was not entertained. One leader of the Quraish, Sheikh Najdy, suggested
that every sign of Islam should be wiped off from the land of Arabia.
The assassination of Rasulullah
was the only way out for the Quraish. One youth from each clan was chosen
to set upon Rasulullah
so that the Banu Hashim would not be able to hold any particular Quraish
clan responsible for his death. It was decided to kill Rasulullah
that same night.
While Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) made all secret arrangements for the Hijrat,
Hazrat Jibra'eel (A.S.) forewarned Rasulullah
of the intention of the Quraish that night. Hazrat Ali (R.A.) slept in
Rasulullah
's
bed while Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.) and Rasulullah
left Makkah unnoticed and took refuge in the Cave of Thoor which was about
seven kilometers from Makkah. Rasulullah
recited Sura Ya'seen before he left Makkah. He had also instructed Hazrat
Ali (R.A.) to return all the goods and property, which he had held in trust,
to the rightful owners.
After a whole night's vigil on the house of Rasulullah ,
the Quraish were shocked in the morning to find only Hazrat Ali (R.A.)
in the bed of Rasulullah
.
They began a desperate search of the countryside around Makkah and offered
huge rewards for the capture of Rasulullah
,dead
or alive.
The enemy was almost at the mouth of the Cave of Thoor. The fears of
Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A) were set aside by the assurance of Rasulullah
that 'Allah is with us'
By a divine miracle, a spider had spun a web over the mouth of the cave and a pigeon had laid eggs in the nest close by. The cave looked undisturbed.
After three days, when it was felt safe to continue the Hijrat, Rasulullah
mounted his camel AL-QASWA while Hazrat Abu Bakr ( R.A.) and his
assistant Hazrat Aa'mir-bin- Faheerah (R.A.) shared another mount. Abdullah-bin-
Urayqit who was their guide, led the way towards Madinah. They followed
a path which was not frequented by regular caravans.
At one stage, a Quraishi horseman spotted them. His name was Suraaqah
and his immediate thought were of the hugh reward offered for the capture
of Rasulullah .
But each time he charged, his horse's feet sank into the sand, and
ultimately, he squirmed and shivered and asked forgiveness of Rasulullah
On the sixth day of Hijrat, they reached Qubah on the border of Madinah.
This was on 8th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, thirteen years after Nabuwwat. Rasulullah
stayed as the guest of Hazrat Kulsoom-bin-Hidum while Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A.)
stayed at the house of Hazrat Habeeb-bin-Assaf (R.A.). During this very
short stay in Qubah, Rasulullah
laid the foundation of the first mosque in Islam.
On Friday 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, Rasulullah
proceeded to Madinah and when it was time for Zohr prayer, he led the first
Jum'a Namaaz with a hundred worshippers in an open field in the locality
of Banu Saalim. After Namaaz, he mounted his camel again and proceeded
further till he entered into Madinah the same evening. Every Muslim wanted
to be his host. But his mount was under Divine Command and he vowed to
stop only where his camel would stop. At length, the camel stopped near
the house of Hazrat Abu Ayyub Ansari (R.A.) who welcomed Rasulullah
to his house.
The emigrant Muslims then living in Madinah were known as the 'Muhajirin' while the Muslims who offered their hospitality to the Muhajirin were known as 'Ansaar'. The Muslim Calendar began in this same year of Hijra.
Contents of the biography of the Prophet Muhammed
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