Farewell Makkah

In the midst of all-round hostility and mounting force of oppression, the great event of ascension provided new strength to the Prophet and his small band of followers and the pledge of Ansar opened a new chapter.  It was clear that Makkah had now become quite intolerance and it had lost the honour of becoming the centre of Islamic movement which was now bestowed on Medina. 

What Makkah lost, Medina gained.  In the meantime, a revelation gave implicit permission to migrate. 

While the Prophet was still waiting for a clear injunction he allowed his followers to migrate to Medina and streams of people began to flow towards it. 

In a short time several quarters of the city were deserted.  Once Abu Jehl and some elders passed by the deserted house of Banu Jashs clan and Abu Jehl sadly remarked:

“What has our cousin gained?  He has disrupted our society, destroyed our unity and created a schism among us.”

Now there were hardly any Muslims left in Makkah except those who were forcibly detained by the Quraish or were suffering tortures. 

The Quraish realised that at last the Muslims had got a place of refuge and one by one they were migrating there.  Soon Muhammad (Peace be upon him) would also go beyond the reach of their influence, would organise himself and then return with force to settled accounts with them. 

So they collected in the public hall called Dar-un-Nadva to consult about the future plan of action against the Prophet.  Several proposals were made and rejected.  One of the proposals suggested that the Prophet should be confined in a house with an iron gate, but then it was thought that his voice would be heard even outside the gate and it was likely that his followers on become stronger would get him released, and so the proposal did not find full support. 

Another proposal was to ex-communicate the Prophet and then no one should care what he did outside. 

This was also rejected on the ground that his sweet words would enlist more followers and they would pose a threat. 

Then Abu Jehl proposed that stout men chosen from every clan, and armed with swords should all strike the Prophet together at the same time so that the responsibility of his blood was shared by all the clans and the Prophet’s clansmen would not be able to take revenge on them all.  This proposal was unanimously approved and the meeting dispersed after passing this resolution.  The Qur'an makes the following comment on the happenings of this meeting:

“Remember how the unbelievers plotted against thee to keep thee in bonds, or slay thee, or get thee out (of thy home).  They plot and plan and Allah too plans, but Allah is the best of planners.” – (Surat Al-A’raf: 30)

Among the closest associates of the Prophet left behind in Makkah were Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and when clear revelation came permitting migration, the Prophet went to the house of the former and confidentially informed him that permission had come for migration. 

Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) sought the Prophet’s permission to accompany him which he readily granted and the former was so overjoyed that his eyes were filled with tears. 

Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) had already readied two she-camels by proper feeding and offered to the Prophet anyone of them which he liked as a gift.  But the Prophet insisted on buying one and paid for the she-camel he selected which was named Jadaa. 

As advised by the revelation, the Prophet did not sleep in his house that night and asked Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) to occupy his bed without any fear.  He then gave him the things which people kept in his custody and directed him to deliver them to their respective owners next morning.  Then he returned to the house of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). 

His daughter Asma tore away her waist-band and wrapped some food at one end of it and tied the mouth of water bucket with the other.  Then the caravan of two left in the dead of night.

Thus the greatest benefactor and sympathizer of the humanity was leaving Makkah that day.  He was leaving that day those streets and lanes which he had frequented since his childhood, had loved the city so much and where he had made the call to truth because of which he suffered abuses and tortures. 

He was also leaving that centre of spirituality where he had prostrated thousands of times and prayed for the well-being of his people.  The Will of God and his life’s mission demanded this sacrifice and he willingly offered it.  Before leaving Makkah he cast his eyes at the Kaabah and declared:  “By God, you are the most sacred spot in the sight of God and I would have never left you if I was not forced to leave.”

The route was chosen by the Prophet himself and Abdullah bin Oraiqat was hired as a guide. 

The travellers remained in the cave of Saur for three days.  Abdullah bin Abu Bakr used to bring has goats to the cave at night and the Prophet and his companion took their milk according to their need.

The Quraish who had kept an all-night vigil over the Prophet’s house were distressed to find that the Prophet had left and after unleashing their ire on Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) they left. The Quraish then sent their men in pursuit and announced a reward of 100 camels to anyone who could capture the Prophet or his companion, dead or alive.  The pursuers at one time reached near the entrance of the cave and Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was fearful.  The Prophet pacified his companions and said, “Have no fear, for God is with us.” 

Emerging from the cave the Prophet took to the longer route by the sea shore to avoid the pursuit and Suraqa bin Jusham, coveting the prize announced, followed this routed and approaching the travellers he galloped his horse but its feet stuck in the dust and did not come out when Suraqa repented, apologized, and appealed for promise of safety from the Prophet.  It is most remarkable that under these outwardly desperate conditions the Prophet told Suraqa. “O Suraqa, how happy will you feel when the bracelets of the emperor of Iran will be on your hands?”  The Prophecy was fulfilled on the conquest of Iran during the caliphate of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).