Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu)’s Preparations for the Hijrah
Hadhrat Aa'isha (Radhiallahu Anha) narrates that not a day would pass wherein Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) had not visited us either in the morning or evening. This was his mubaarak habit until the day arrived when Allah Ta’aala permitted him to migrate and leave Makkah Mukarramah. On that day, contrary to his routine, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) came to our home at midday. As soon as Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) saw Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) coming, he remarked, ‘Certainly an important matter has brought Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) at this unusual time.’ When Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) entered our home, then out of respect and reverence Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) moved from his place and allowed Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) to be seated. My sister Hadhrat Asmaa (Radhiallahu Anha) and I (Hadhrat Aa'isha (Radhiallahu Anha)), were with our father Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) at the time Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) arrived at our home. There was nobody else present with us. Subsequently, the following conversation ensued between Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu):
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam): “I need to discuss something in private with you.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu): “O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)! May my parents be sacrificed for you, it is only my two daughters (who are present) whom we can trust.”
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam): “Permission has come from Allah Ta’aala to migrate to Madina Tayyiba.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu): “May I accompany you on the journey of hijrat, O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam)?”
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam): “Certainly, you may accompany me.”
Upon receiving permission from Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) to accompany him, hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu) began to weep out of joy. When Hadhrat Aaisha (Radhiallahu Anha) witnessed this spectacle, she was surprised and later on she would say: “I swear by Allah Ta’aala that I had never knew a person could cry out of joy and happiness, until I witnessed my father, Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu) cry on the day he received glad tidings from Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) to accompany Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) on the journey of Hijrat).”
Thereafter Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) addressing Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “O Nabi of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) I have two camels that I have been rearing from a long time in anticipation for this day. You may have anyone that is pleasing to you as a gift from my side.”
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam): “I am only prepared to accept it in lieu of its price, O Abu Bakr.” (i.e. whatever it cost you)
Hadhrat Abu Bakr: “May my parents be sacrificed for you! If this is pleasing to you, then you may have it in lieu of its price.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) then hired Abdullaah bin Urayqit as a guide to direct them along their journey. (Abdullaah bin Urayqit was a disbeliever from the Banu Laith tribe. Since Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) trusted him, they hired him to direct them along the journey of hijrat.) They gave him their two camels to take care of and graze them until the appointed day.”
Hadhrat Asmaa (Radhiallahu Anha) says, “Before they could depart, we prepared the food for their journey. I cut my belt into two and used part of it to tie their provisions, and the other for my personal use.” [1]
The Departure
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) set out for the Hijrat early at night. During the journey, at times Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) walked ahead of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), and at times behind. At times he walked on the right of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and at times on the left. When Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) noticed this peculiar behaviour, he asked, “O Abu Bakr! I see you moving in front of me or behind me at times and beside me at times. What prompts you to behave in this way?” Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) replied, “Whenever the thought of the enemy pursuing you from the back occurs to me, I move swiftly towards the back, and whenever the fear overcomes me of the enemy waiting ahead in ambush, then I rush ahead of you. Likewise, when the thought crosses my mind of the enemy attacking from the right or left, then I move in that direction.”
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) then said, “O Abu Bakr! Do you prefer that your life be sacrificed for me?” Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) replied, “Most definitely O Messenger of Allah, I swear by the Being who has sent you with the truth of Islam!”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) further relates, “We travelled hastily the entire day and night until the afternoon heat became intense. I then looked ahead to see whether I could find any shade so that we could take shelter through it. I then spotted a cave which we could take refuge in and seek shelter from the heat. I then said: O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), remain outside the cave and allow me to enter so that if there is any harmful creature in the cave, it will harm me and not you. After entering the cave I began cleaning it and spread out a cloth upon which Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) could lie down. I then requested him to enter and take a rest and he acceded to my request. Once Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) laid down to rest, I went to see whether I could spot anyone who was searching for us. I then spotted a shepherd nearby and asked him who was his owner. He named a man from the Quraysh whom I knew. (As it was a prevalent custom at that time that people would allow travellers and wayfarers to benefit from the milk from their flock, Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) requested for some milk and the following dialogue ensued):
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu): “Do any of the goats have milk?”
The shepherd: “Yes.”
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu): “Will you milk some for me?”
He agreed, and milked one of the goats for me and poured it into my container. I added some water to the milk to cool the hot milk. I then took the milk to present it to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). As I approached Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), I found him awake. I said, “Partake of this, O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).” The sight of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) relishing the milk brought extreme joy and happiness to my heart.” [2]
In the cave
During the time spent in the cave with Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), it is reported that Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) was concerned that no creature come out from any hole in the cave and harm Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Thus, he began closing all the holes found inside the cave with pieces of his lower garment. However, there were still two holes which he was unable to close (due to insufficient clothing), so Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) placed his both feet in those holes.
Thereafter, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) placed his mubaarak head on the lap of Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anu) and fell asleep. While Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was asleep, Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) perceived a bite under his foot by a snake in the hole. Not wishing to inconvenience and disturb the sleep of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in the least, Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) bore the pain and did not move an inch. However, being in excruciating pain and not being able to withstand the effects, uncontrollably tears began to roll down the face of Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) and fell on the mubaarak countenance of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) suddenly awoke and asked: “What has happened, O Abu Bakr?” Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) replied: “I have been bitten, may my parents be sacrificed for you O Rasulullah (sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).” Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) placed his mubaarak saliva on the affected area, and the pain immediately subsided. [3]
To Be Continued
[1] حياة الصحابة، البداية و النهاية
[2] صحيح مسلم، حياة الصحابة،روح المعاني
[3] مشكوة المصابيح
