Migration (Hijrah)
The life for the Muslims in Makkah had already become unbearable. In these circumstances there were always chances of armed clash between the powerful chiefs of Quraish and the budding Muslim community, which the Prophet (PBUH) so far had been avoiding by his personal example of extraordinary patience and strict instructions to Muslims not to get provoked. Thus, he had protected this small band of the righteous people to flourish with patience, and set a glorious example for all times to come.
Since it seemed that environment would be friendlier in Yathrib, the Prophet (PBUH) decided to migrate there in order to preach the new faith in peace and to strengthen the fragile Muslim Umma. So, soon after the 2nd oath of allegiance, he advised his followers to leave Makkah in small groups quietly and secretly.
Not wanting their prey to slip from their fingers, the Makkan chiefs attempted to prevent the migration. So the believers made the difficult journey to Yathrib one by one, easy
targets for bandits or wild animals. But they were full of hope of a great future waiting for them. It was a promise of Allah, which they believed from the core of their hearts, would come true. They were guided by God's Revelation:
"Who so migrates for the cause of Allah
Will find much refuge and abundance in the earth. And if anyone leaves his home fleeing from evil unto Allah and His Messenger, and then death overtakes him, His reward is ready with Allah, for Allah is indeed much forgiving and kind".
4(100)
Migration to Yathrib, which marks a watershed in the Prophet's life, also marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. The day the Prophet (PBUH) arrived, in Yathrib, it was renamed Madinah-tun-Nabi, or "The City of the Prophet". May Allah shower his blessings upon this city forever.
From this moment onward, the thirteen years of humiliation, persecution, and repeated disappointments were over. The ten years of Journey to success, the fullest that has ever crossed one man's endeavour, had begun. The Hijrah makes a clear division in the story of the Prophet's Mission. Till then he had been a preacher only. Thenceforth he was the ruler of a state also, at first a very small one, which grew in ten years over the whole of Arabia (11), with a central rule from Al-Madinah, a model, just and welfare state for all times to come.
Quraish got wind of what was going on. They hated Mohammad (PBUH) in their midst, but dreaded what might happen if he escaped from them. It would be very necessary, they considered, to kill him now. The death of Abu Talib had removed his chief protector; but still they had to reckon with the
Veveance of his clan upon the plan of the murder. Therefore they cast lots and chose a slayer out of every clan. All these were to attack the Prophet simultaneously and strike together, as one man. Thus, his blood would be on all Quraish which Bani Hashim, the Prophet's tribe, will not be able to fight in revenge. At that time, most of the Muslims had already left Makkah for Yathrib. Messenger of Allah was waiting for orders from Allah Subhana-Hu. It was at that time that the Prophet of Allah received the first revelation ordering him, "To make war upon his persecutors until persecution is no more and religion (Din) is for Allah alone". 8(39).
The Prophet (PBUH) Leaves for Yathrib
The last of the able-bodied Muslims to remain in Makkah were his close friend Abu Bakar (RAH), his disciple and also cousin-brother Ali (RAH), and the Prophet himself (May peace be upon him). Abu Bakar (RAH), a man of wealth, had bought two riding-camels and retained a guide in readiness for the migration. Soon after receiving the command of Allah, the Prophet (PBUH) went to the house of Abu Bakar (RAH) and in great secrecy told him about his plan to leave Makkah at night. While the Quraish made their plan to kill him at night, his only worry was to return deposits of some people of Quraish, which were entrusted to him for safekeeping. In spite of being hostile to the prophet (PBUH), they had confidence in his integrity and trustworthiness. For this purpose he summoned Ali (RAH) and told him, "Sleep in my bed tonight and cover yourself in my bed sheet. My prospective killers have deposited their valuables with me, return those and then come to Madinah". One wonders at the love and loyalty youthful Ali (RAH) had for him. He obeyed without any hesitation although there was great risk of being killed in the process. The slayers were already before Prophet's house and were to strike him upon sight during the night or early morning.
Late at night, the besieging energy was called into sleepiness by Allah. Calm and confident, the Prophet (PBUH) made his way through them, reciting the opening verse of "Surah Yasin". It is also said that while passing, he put dust on their heads that miraculously caused blindness upon them. Unnoticed, he went to Abu Bakar's (RAH) house and the two went together at dawn to a cavern called "Thour (Ghar) Noor about six kilometers from Makkah" in the desert hills and hid there for three days until the hue and cry was over.
Abu Bakar's son, Abdullah, his daughter "Asma" and herdsman brought them food and news of the day after nightfall. Once a search party came quite near them in their hiding place, and Abu Bakar (RAH) was afraid of the impending danger. He whispered in fear, "Pity! We are only two". The Prophet (PBUH) looked at him and smilingly said, "Fear not, we are three - Allah is with us all the time". So was his confidence in Allah and he inspired that confidence in his companions as well.
They stayed in the cave for three days. When the way was clear, camels were brought to the cave one night, and they set out on the long journey to Yathrib, with the Prophet (PBUH) riding on one she-camel and Abu Bakar on the other. One Abdullah bin Areeqat, a trusted man of Abu Bakar, who had not yet accepted Islam, but who was familiar with the way was hired to guide the caravan. Thus the historic journey of Hijrah began, which changed the course of the world. At the time of departure the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), standing on the hill turning his face to Bait-Ullah, is reported to have said with a heavy heart. "You are very dear to me, but your sons do not let me live here". They left the cave on 4th Rabi-ul-Awal (12th June 622 A.D) and kept traveling on the coastal route along the Red Sea for seven days, reaching Quibah, a valley situated only 2
miles to the south of Yathrib and remarkable for its beauty and fertility. Here he was joined by Ali (RAH).
The enemy offered a prize of 100 camels to anyone who would bring back the Messenger of Allah, alive or dead. In greed, many parties left Makkah in search of the migrants. Story of one Saraqa-bin Malik is very instructive. He says; that he reached very close and prepared his bow to shoot an arrow on the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), but his horse became violent and he was about to fall. He tried a second time, but the reaction of the animal was even more violent, and he thought that he might be killed by it. So Saraqa says that "I got convinced of the Divine Hand protecting the Prophet (PBUH) and begged his pardon".
The Benevolent Prophet (PBUH) not only pardoned him but also wrote for him a document promising the reward of the golden bangles of the emperor of Persia. Imagine the circumstances under which he issued this document and also the trust which even the enemies had in him. Sixteen years after this event, Saraqa was indeed the proud wearer of the promised bangles when the Muslim army defeated the emperor and conquered his country. Saraqa returned with that document, misleading the chasing search parties that they had not gone that way. From this incident one also wonders about the importance attached by the prophet of Allah (PBUH) to knowledge and to writing instruments. He was carrying them with him even in such a dangerous situation.
Passing through the valleys of Anjal and Qadeed, the small caravan halted at a spot where an old lady of "Bani Khazaa", Umm-i-Ma'bad, had pitched her tent. She was famous for looking after and providing service to travelers on this road. With her permission, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) milked a feeble goat belonging to her. She saw the miracle that although the goat was too weak, milk was not only sufficient for them but
the vessel was still full up to the brims even after all of them had taken it to their satisfaction.
After traveling for seven days on unfrequented paths, on Monday 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal, i.e. 20th June 622 A.D, when the sun was at its zenith, they reached the suburbs of Yathrib, called "Quiba", where for days people had been going every morning, waiting for the Prophet till the heat drove them to shelter. The Prophet of Allah (PBUH) arrived in the heat of the day, when the Sun was high up in the sky and after the watchers had retired. It was a Jew who called out to the Muslims that he whom they expected had at last arrived. On hearing this call, an excited crowd of Ansaars (Citizen of Yathrib) rushed to him eagerly as the Savior had come. Their reverential gazes were focused on his sacred face, May Allah be pleased with him.
The Prophet (PBUH) stayed for about two weeks in Quibah, (some say less than that) (50), where he received the delegations from Yathrib. He also built there the first mosque in the history of Islam. It was a simple compound with a boundary separating it from the rest of the area. The covered area had the roof made of the trunk and branches of date palm. From the first day, it became the center of all the religious, social and administrative activities of the Muslims living in and around Quibah. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) received the visitors there. The mosque was the model of Islam, showing that it is not divided into separate compartments of religion and the worldly life. It is the integrated whole system where one depends upon the others. In this mosque the Muslims also offered their first ever Friday prayer under the leadership of the Prophet of Allah (PBUH). It was also the first time in the history of Islam in Arabia that the Muslims could offer their prayers without any fear of attack by the enemies. How wonderful was the feeling that they were free to practice what they believed. (48)
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