Prophet's Emigration
The Prophet (r) came to Abu Bakr and told him that God had given him permission to
emigrate from Makkah. Abu Bakr exclaimed, “Together, O Prophet (r) of God?”; for he was
anxious to keep him company.” Then Abu Bakr presented two camels he had been keeping
for the purpose. ‘Abdullah Ibn Urayqit was hired by Abu Bakr to act as a guide.
The emigration of the Prophet (r) illustrates how everything howsoever coveted by one,
can be sacrificed for the sake of one’s faith or ideals. Worldly estate and effects or any other
thing that a man is disposed to value can never take the place of his faith nor can the faith
be bartered away for the entire world. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole
world but suffers the loss of his soul.
Makkah was the birthplace of the Prophet (r). As the homeland of the Prophet (r) of God
and his companions, it was very dear to them. It also had the house of God, loved and
adored by them like the light of one’s eye. But nothing stood in the way of their bidding
farewell to their hearts and homes, families and kinsmen. This was due to the fact that the
pagans of Makkah would not allow them the freedom of conscience and liberty to practice
their faith.
The Prophet (r) loved Makkah but he valued his faith more. One was a natural feeling of
affection and the other an insatiable thirst of soul. We find the two tenderest feelings of
human nature articulately expressed by the Prophet (r) while leaving Makkah.
“No city is sweeter to me than you, are and how ardently I love you. Had my people not
exiled me, I would never have lived anywhere else.” (Tirmidhi, Chap. Fadl Makkah)
The Prophet (r) had, in truth, to leave his homeland to fulfill his Lord's command.
“O my bondmen who believe! Lo! My earth is spacious. Therefore serve Me only.” [Qur'an
29:56]
TOWARDS THE CAVE OF "MT. THAWR
The Prophet (r) and Abu Bakr stealthily proceeded to the cave of Mt. Thawr. Abu Bakr
instructed his son ‘Abdullah to find out the hostile plans and conversations of the Makkans
concerning them and then relay these to him. Furthermore, he asked Amir Ibn Fuhayrah, his
slave, to feed his flocks of milch ewe by the day and bring food for them in the evening.
Asma, his daughter, used to bring food for them at night.
Abu Bakr exhibited great concern for the Prophet of God (r) during this journey. It is re-
lated that when the Prophet (r) set out for the cave on Mt. Thawr, Abu Bakr (t) sometimes
went ahead of the Prophet (r) and then behind him, until the Prophet (r) noticed his res-
tlessness and asked, Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), what’s the matter? Often
you come behind me and sometimes you go ahead!” Abu Bakr (t) replied, “O Prophet (r)
of God, when I think of those pursuing you, I come behind you but then I apprehend an
ambuscade so that I go in front of you.”