When they arrived at the cave in Mt. Thawr, Abu Bakr requested the Prophet (r) to wait
until he had searched and cleaned up the cave. So, he went in, explored it and came out
after cleaning up. Then he remembered that he had not properly searched one hole. He
again asked the Prophet (r) to wait a bit so he can check it for the second time around. Only
then did he allow the Prophet (r) to enter the cave after he had fully convinced himself that
it did not harbor wild or dangerous beasts.
A MOST CRITICAL MOMENT OF HUMAN HISTORY
The most critical moment of the world’s history, when the fate of mankind hanged by a
thread, drew near as the Qurayshite horsemen on the look out for the two fugitives gallop-
ing over the desert and came to the cave where the two had secluded themselves. The
world was as if at a standstill, holding its breath in suspense: The pursuers, who stood de-
bating among themselves at the mouth of the cave, resolved that nobody could be inside it.
One may think it is fantastic or miraculous but it was how God helped His Prophet (r).
“Then Allah caused His peace of reassurance to descend upon him and supported
him with hosts ye cannot see.” [Qur'an 9:40]
Peering, Abu Bakr looked over his head. He saw the blood-thirsty warriors of the Quraysh
standing at the mouth of the cave. Then he said to his companion with a trembling heart, “O
Prophet of God, they will see us if anybody steps forward.”
“What misgivings have you,” replied the Prophet (r), “about the two with whom the third
is Allah?” It was as if to remind that at this event, the revelation came down from God:
“When they two were in the cave, when he said to his comrade: Grieve not, Lo! Allah
is with us.” [Qur'an 9:40]SURAQA FOLLOWS THE PROPHET (r)
The Quraysh offered a reward of one hundred camels to anyone who brought back the
Prophet (r), dead or alive. The Prophet (r) spent three nights in the cave and then guided
by ‘Amir Ibn Fuhayrah went along the road by the sea-coast. Suraqa Ibn Malik Ibn Ju’shum
heard of the price set by the Quraysh on the head of the Prophet (r) and hurried after him.
The reward of hundred camels was too tempting for him that he got up on his mare and
went after the fugitives tracking their footsteps. He let his mare run swiftly until he nearly
over-took the fugitives. But, lo, his mare stumbled abruptly, and hitherto, he was thrown
off. He rose up, composed himself, and remounted the mare, and let her go ahead. Once
more, the mare stumbled and he was again thrown off, but nevertheless continued the
chase until he could see the three men going ahead. Suddenly, his mare stumbled for the
third time, its fore-legs sinking up to the knees on the ground, and he was thrown off once
again. He also saw dust rising from the ground like a sandstorm.