Episode 9: A Spotlight on Hijrah to Madina

Sheikh Ali Paqees:  As Quraysh saw the rapid growing of the Muslims' numbers; and the prophet's message circulated among Arabs; and Medina has become the prophet's companions' refuge wherefore they emigrate from Mecca; hence they held an emergency meeting.

 Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: They realized that the prophet soon must follow his companions' steps and stay in Medina, establishing the State of Islam from which he afterwards may conquer them.

Sheikh Ali Paqees:  That serious meeting was held in An-nadwah (council) house

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: That house was the one in which they take all their crucial decisions

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: They convened this meeting on Thursday, 26th Safar, the year fourteen of Prophethood.

Sheikh Ali Paqees:  The stoutest, enormities men of Quraysh attended the meeting having the prophet and Muslims case solely on their agenda.

 Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: How could they not fear the growing authority and power of the prophet and his message after it had lightened the horizons rapidly. Amongst those who attended were:

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Abu Sufyan; An-Nadr bin Al-Harith; 'Utbah bin Rabe'a; Shaibah bin Rabe'a in addition to Abu Jahl

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Upon deciding to hold their meeting at An-Nadwah House, they encountered the Devil in guise on an elderly man. They inquired after him "Who are you, old man?" He answered that he was an elder from Najd.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: Thus they consulted each other concerning the prophet's case

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy:  One proposed to the others "Why don't we imprison him for life in his home, surround it with a ferrous fence till he dies as others did.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: Then the man from Najd (Satan) intervened, objecting to the proposal, advising them not to do so, for the fear that his companions would set him free and conquer Mecca in return.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Another suggested that they should expatriate the prophet.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Then again the man from Najd (Satan) objected, advised them to turn it down on grounds that his sweet words could entice the other Arabs to believe in him, offer their support to attack them (polytheists in Mecca) in their own land.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: Abu Jahl, the pharaoh of this nation then debated

Sheikh Ali Paqees: He suggested that a band of stout young men, one from each tribe

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: should gather and strike Muhammad simultaneously, killing him with their swords so that his blood would be spread over them all

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: and therefore could not be exacted nor avenged by Bani Hashim or Bani Al-Muttalib. At that point the man from Najd approved of his debate.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: They left An-Nadwah House with a firm resolution of assassinating the prophet in the way debated by Abu Jahl.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: How deceitful were they! Plotting secretly against the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم

    {وَإِذْ يَمْكُرُ بِكَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لِيُثْبِتُوكَ أَوْ يَقْتُلُوكَ أَوْ يُخْرِجُوكَ وَيَمْكُرُونَ وَيَمْكُرُ اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ خَيْرُ الْمَاكِرِينَ} [الأنفال: 30]

Interpretation of the meaning: "And when the unbelievers were devising against thee, to confine thee, or slay thee, or to expel thee, and were devising, and God was devising; and God is the best of devisers." [Surat: Al-Anfal: 30]

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: When the iniquitous decision had been made, Gabriel was sent down to the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم to reveal to him Quraysh’s plot

Sheikh Ali Paqees: At noon, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم went to see his Companion Abu Bakr. The prophet was masked then.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: Such unusual time which he wasn't used to visit Abu Bakr at it

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: When the prophet entered while Abu Bakr is very surprised, he soon realized that the matter must be indeed very serious.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: Abu Bakr gave room to the prophet to sit comfortably "let whoever present with you leave.” The prophet said to Abu Bakr

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: There were only Asmaa’ bint Abi Bakr and 'Aisha who were in the house with Abu Bakr. Hence Abu Bakr said " O Prophet! only my daughters are present. They are as your own family"

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: “I have been given permission to emigrate.” Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him said, “Let me be in your company, O Messenger of Allah!” He صلى الله عليه وسلم replied: “Of Course you're”.

Sheikh Ali Paqees:  Abu Bakr gratefully wept that he was chosen to be the prophet's companion

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: those were tears of happiness as a poet said: I was overwhelmed with happiness to the extent that tears of pure joy gushed out

Sheikh Ali Paqees: Even 'Aisha said "I had never seen anyone weeping out of joy until I saw Abu Bakr weeping out of joy on that day"

(When they cunningly approached you, they were devoid of their conscious till you passed them safely)

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy:  Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) hired [as their guide] ‘Abdullaah bin ’Urayqit, whom they gave their riding mounts which was purchased and looked after for 4 months until the coming of the appointed day of their immigration.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: Abu Bakr started the journey's preparations. Meanwhile, Quraysh have chosen eleven men amongst the elites of Mecca, the stoutest of men lead by Abu Jahl (the wrath of Allah upon him) to the prophet's home.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: They encompassed the home of the prophet entirely, waiting for the right moment to carry out their evil plan. Their hearts were full of grudges and malice against the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: When the night advanced; the prophet asked 'Ali to sleep in his bed.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: 'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) immediately responded to the prophet's request. He slept in the prophet's bed wherefore he became the first commando in the Islamic History.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: the prophet assured him full security under Allah’s protection

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: He was ready to sacrifice himself for the prophet for he knew that those assassins laid siege to the prophet's home, yet he was resolved to protect him. The prophet gave him his green mantle to cover himself with. In case the polytheists peeped into the house thus they may think that it's the prophet who is lying in the bed. Another mission was assigned to 'Ali which was to give back the trusts that the prophet was charged to keep for the people in Mecca firmly trusted him; "The honest and faithful one"

Sheikh Ali Paqees: The assassins who laid siege to the house were waiting for the zero hour to break into the prophet's house and kill him.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: But the prophet (may my father, mother and myself be sacrificed for him) passed by them. He sprinkled a handful of soil over their heads while he recited:

 {وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْ بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ سَدًّا وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ سَدًّا فَأَغْشَيْنَاهُمْ فَهُمْ لَا يُبْصِرُونَ} [يس: 9]  

 Interpretation of the meaining: "And we have put a barrier before them, and a barrier behind them, and we have covered them up, so that they cannot see." [Yaseen: 9]

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: As the sun rose up, chiefs of Quraysh approached the eleven men, "What're you still doing here?" they asked them; "We're waiting for Muhammad to kill him when he comes out of his house," they answered

Sheikh Ali Paqees: They said "you're doomed! Muhammad has already left and even casted dust over your heads!" they came to their senses and felt remain of soil indeed on their heads.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: They rushed in and to their utter surprise, found that the person lying in the Prophet’s bed was ‘Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him)

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The prophet headed directly to Abu Bakr's house.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: where Abu Bakr has already prepared their mounts. They set off immediately, to a rocky cave called Thawr.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: Accompanying him صلى الله عليه وسلم Abu Bakr As-Siddiq who sincerely wished to sacrifice himself and his wealth for the prophet.

 Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: The loved homeland which the prophet dearly cherished wherefore therein is the Holy Sanctuary and the standing place of Ibrahim; he is banished from entering it; forcibly expatriated for he called its people unto Allah the Almighty, the Praised One. Three cases in which even the wisest of men scarcely can tolerate; to be banished from your beloved homeland; to separate from one's closest companions and to lose a loved one. When the prophet reached a place called Al-Hathwara, he turned to the direction of the Holy Sanctuary and Mecca "By Allah, you're the dearest place to Allah and to my heart and unless your people have expatriated me, I'd have never left"

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: When they reached the cave of Thawr, Abu Bakr stopped the prophet from entering first

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: "O prophet of Allah, please wait here" he said; then entered the cave alone. Some may wonder why? For he desired to explore the cave for the prophet's safety and prepare it for his comfort صلى الله عليه وسلم

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Abu Bakr entered the cave, closed one of the three holes with pieces torn off from his clothes, and blocked the other two with his own foot (may Allah be pleased with him) he cleaned it too as well

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: He then asked the prophet to step in. The prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم as very tired entirely exhausted from the long awaked night.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The prophet laid his head in Abu Bakr’s lap and fell asleep

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: While the prophet was asleep

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Abu Bakr's feet which he used to block one of the holes was stung badly by a poisonous insect

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: The poison fizzed in his veins

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: It hurt so much yet Abu Bakr bore it all in fear that he might awake the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: It hurt so much that his tears fell on the Prophet’s face. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم immediately awoke "Is there something wrong with you Abu Bakr?" The prophet wondered. When he told him that he was stung, the prophet applied his saliva on Abu Bakr’s foot, puffed at it and recited verses of Quran

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon:  and soon Allah made the pain go off that it was even better than it used to be

Sheikh Ali Paqees: they satyed there for 3 days

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: When the polytheists surrounded the cave, Abu Bakr then turned to the prophet

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Abu Bakr said "O prophet of Allah, if one of them looked down to his feet, he would see us." The prophet turned to his companion with a heart confident in Allah the Almighty, ardently hoping for His support, and firmly believing in his providence, care and promise of victory.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: the Prophet said: ‘What do you think of two people, the third of whom is Allah?’

{ إِلَّا تَنْصُرُوهُ فَقَدْ نَصَرَهُ اللَّهُ إِذْ أَخْرَجَهُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ثَانِيَ اثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِي الْغَارِ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَاحِبِهِ لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَنَا فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ سَكِينَتَهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَيَّدَهُ بِجُنُودٍ لَمْ تَرَوْهَا وَجَعَلَ كَلِمَةَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا السُّفْلَى وَكَلِمَةُ اللَّهِ هِيَ الْعُلْيَا وَاللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ} [التوبة: 40]

Interpretation of the meaining: "If you will not aid him, Allah certainly aided him when those who disbelieved expelled him, he being the second of the two, when they were both in the cave, when he said to his companion: Grieve not, surely Allah is with us. So Allah sent down His tranquillity upon him and strengthened him with hosts which you did not see, and made lowest the word of those who disbelieved; and the word of Allah, that is the highest; and Allah is Mighty, Wise." [Surat: Al-Tawbah: 40]

Sheikh Ali Paqees: ‘Amir bin Fuhairah, a shepherd worked for Abu Bakr’s, used to stole away unobserved every evening to the cave and furnished its inmates with a plentiful supply of milk.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: While 'Abdullah the son of Abu Bakr would apprise them of the latest situation in Mecca

Sheikh Ali Paqees: Even Asmaa', the daughter of Abu Bakr aided them. She 'd bring them food occasionally and she was the one at their immigration who tied in a bundle of her waistband after tearing it into two parts- their food supply.

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: when those 3 days went by; and the search had slackened

Sheikh Ali Paqees: The prophet and Abu Bakr came out of their cave in the company of 'Amer bin Fuhairah, who took extra care to hide the trails of both of them. They met their guide 'Abdullah bin Urayqit and headed to Medina, taking the coastal route and heading towards the north

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Several incidents occurred whilst the prophet on his way to Medina; passing by the tent of Um Ma'bad was one amongst many of events.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: She was a gracious woman, lived in a solitary tent with her husband, Abu Ma'bad, and her brother Hubaish

Sheikh Ali Paqees: they passed by her tent, asked for supplies of food and milk. She apologized saying "it's a rainless year"

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: She apologized because she couldn't fulfill their needs

Sheikh Ali Paqees: As they noticed a goat standing in the tent's corner, they inquired about it, "it's almost dry; too weak to even set out in the pasture" she answered

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: The prophet then asked her permission to milk it.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: The prophet gently rubbed its udders with his honored hands. There flowed plenty of milk out of them.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: after he صلى الله عليه وسلم milked the goat, the Prophet first offered that to the old lady.

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: Then he milked it again, shared the milk with the members of his party. They drank immediately till they were all full

Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: Then the prophet left, resuming his journey to Medina. Later on, her husband was astonished when arrived to see milk in the house. "From where did you get that milk for our goats can't be milked?" he inquired

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Um Ma'bad replied that a blessed man has milked their goat, referring to the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم

 Sheikh Abdullateaf Al-Ghamdi: Abu Ma‘bad realized on the spot that the man was the one whom Quraysh were searching for "He is none but Muhammad. "If I'd encountered him I'd have accompanied him ever since," he said.

(May Allah; the Lord of the great throne rewards the pair of companions who passed by Um Ma'bad's tent; they approached with their blessings and goodness and left with it; indeed whoever accompany Muhammad had succeeded)

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: a hundred of camels were the reward announced by the pagans of Quraysh which would be offered to whoever seizes the prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and another hundred for catching Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him). Amongst those who the reward spurred was Suraqa bin Malek (may Allah be pleased with him) yet he was at that time a polytheist.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: Many people went on their look out for the prophet; aspiring to win the reward

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: while Suraqa was sitting; one of his clan approached him.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: He told him that he've seen a party traveling near the costal route. In consequent he decided to pursue them, so that he alone should be the winner of the reward.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: He lied to his clan to dissuade them from pursuing the party "Yes; I know those people; I've seen them setting out"

Sheikh Ali Paqees: Then he stealthily stole his way to pursue the prophet. He mounted a swift horse and went in hot pursuit of them

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Indeed Suraqa was right. The party was that of the prophet and his companion Abu Bakr. He approached them with evil intentions.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: His horse stumbled and he fell on the ground. On drawing a lot so as to divine whether he should continue the chase or not, as the Arabs used to do in such circumstances, he found the omens unpropitious.

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Hence; Suraqa realized that the prophet was divinely protected.

Sheikh Ali Paqees: Consequently, Suraqa asked the prophet for a written token guarantee his own safety from Muslims which the prophet obligingly gave him

Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Before Suraqa turned away from the party, the prophet asked him "O Suraqa how you would feel when you wore bracelets of Chosroes?" In amazement Suraqa said "Chosroes; King of Persia!!" The prophet nodded in acknowledgement "Yes, the very man"

Sheikh Zaid al-Qoroon: After the returning of Suraqa, he tried to foil the attempts of those who were in pursuit of the prophet "You may go back from where you've come; I've searched that route thoroughly"

 Sheikh Khaled al-Khalawy: Suraqa didn't tell a soul about the prophet's party till they safely reached Medina. After that he announced himself a Muslim.