Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
The Pursuit of the Quraysh and Allah Ta’aala’s Divine Help
When the Quraysh learnt that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) had left Makkah Mukarramah, they dispatched search parties to find them and fixed a reward of a hundred camels for anyone who captured Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) or Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu). They scoured the mountains of Makkah Mukarramah and eventually reached the mountain of Thowr where Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) remained in hiding. At that time, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was performing salaah while Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) remained on the alert. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu) was in great fear and worry that no harm should come to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). After a little while Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) had seen the Quraysh approaching, hence he addressed Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saying, “O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), the Quraysh have come in search of us. By Allah! I have no concern for my life but I do not want any harm to come to you.” Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) allayed his fears saying, “O Abu Bakr! Do not fear, since we are not alone, certainly Allah is with us.”
When the Quraysh drew extremely close to the cave, Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) became extremely worried. Addressing Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) he said: “O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), if any of them has to just look down towards his feet, he would definitely see us.” Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) consoled Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) saying, “O Abu Bakr! Do you think we are only two? No, certainly Allah Ta’aala is with us.” Allah Ta’aala makes mention of this incident in the Qur’aan Majeed:
ثَانِيَ اثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِي الْغَارِ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَاحِبِهِ لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ مَعَنَا
As for one of the two (Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) when they were in the cave, and he said to his companion (Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu): Do not grieve, verily Allah Ta’aala is with us.
Allah Ta’aala commanded a spider to spin its web at the entrance of the cave. A tree immediately grew from the ground before Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) at the mouth of the cave and two pigeons were divinely sent to lay eggs on the tree. When the Quraysh climbed the mountain and reached the entrance of the cave, their eyes had fallen on the spider’s web and the nest of the pigeons containing the eggs. They were convinced that no one could have entered the cave without the web breaking. One of the men stood directly in front of the entrance of the cave facing Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu). Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) being overcome with fear and concern for Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) exclaimed: “O Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) it seems like this person can see us!”
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “Never! Allah Ta’aala has divinely appointed the malaaikah to protect and conceal us with their wings.” Not long thereafter, the same person sat down to pass urine. Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) remarked: “Had he been able to see us, he would have not passed urine at this spot.”
They remained in the cave for three days and three nights, and every night during that time Hadhrat Aamir bin Fuhayra, the freed slave of Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) would bring the goats of Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) secretly to the cave so that they could benefit from the milk. Thereafter, he would return with the herd before the morning so that no one becomes suspicious. Hadhrat Abdullah, the son of Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) used to spend the day in Makkah Mukkaramah finding out the news and at nightfall he used to secretly come to the cave to inform Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) regarding what was transpiring in Makkah Mukarramah. He would then leave late at night and return to Makkah Mukkaramah by dawn.[1]
Departing for Madina Munawwarah
After spending three days and three nights in the cave, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) left the cave and set out towards Madina Munawwarah. Abdullah ibn Urayqit and Aamir bin Fuhayrah also accompanied them on the journey. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) sat on one camel and Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) sat on the other camel while Aamir bin Fuhayrah sat behind him. Abdullah ibn Urayqit had his own camel during this journey. Abdullah ibn Urayqit, the guide, took them on a route which was along the coast. This route was not the normal route used by the Arabs to travel to Madina Munawwarah. Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddeeq (Radhiallahu Anhu) was renowned amongst the Arabs, hence, whenever anyone met him, they would enquire from him regarding the person who he was accompanying on the journey (referring to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). He would reply, “He is the guide who is showing me the way.” They would understand that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was guiding him along the journey, whereas Hadhrat Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu)’s intention was that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is his guide towards Allah Ta’aala and the Aakhirat.[2]
[1] أسد الغابة، حياة الصحابة، سيرة المصطفى
[2] حياة الصحابة، سيرة المصطفى
