162 THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMADWe also gave above a statement regarding this from Hasan al-Bqri, quoting
Ibn Hishim.
Al-BukhSri stated that Y&yS h. Bukayr related to him, quoting al-Layth
quoting 'Uqayl, quoting Ibn Shihzb, who said that 'A'isha stated, 'I have no
awareness of my parents not practising the religion (Islam); and not a day passed
for us without the Messenger of God (SAAS) visiting us at both ends of the day,
in the morning and the evening. When the Muslims suffered harassment Aba
Bakr left as an emigrant towards Abyssinia. He went as far as Bark al-Ghimad,
where he met Ihn al-Daghina, the chieftain of the area."'
She then recounted how he brought Abii Bakr back to Mecca and gave him
protection. Her words are similar to our previous account of the migration to
Abyssinia up to and including Abii Bakr's statement, "I therefore give back to
you your protection and resign myself to the protection of God."
She ('A'isha) stated, "At that time the Prophet (SAAS) was at Mecca. He told
the Muslims, 'I have been shown the place of your emigration; it has palm-
groves between two rocky tracts.' These are the Harratm.
"And so some people did leave for Medina, and some who had left for
Abyssinia came back and went to Medina. Aba Bakr himself made preparations
to leave for Medina. The Messenger of God (SAAS) told hi, 'Take it slowly; I
am hoping I will be permitted to leave.' Ahii Bakr asked, 'You really do have
hopes of that?' 'Yes,' he replied.
"Thereafter Aba Bakr restrained himself for the Messenger of God (SAAS),
so that he could accompany him. He stabled two camels at his home, feeding
them on mimosa leaves, crushed and mixed leaves, that is, for four months.
Some, however, say he gave them fodder for six months."
Ihn Shihzh stated, "Wrwa reported that 'A'isha said, 'One day, in the heat of
noon, we were sitting in Aba Bakr's house when someone told him, "Here comes
the Messenger of God (SAAS), heavily veiled, at a time he doesn't usually
come!" Aba Bakr commented, "I swear, he can only have come at this time for
one thing!"'
"'A'isha went on, 'The Messenger of God (SAAS) arrived and asked to come in
and was invited to do so. When he entered he said, "Ask everyone to leave." Ahii
Bakr responded, "But they are all like your own family, 0 Messenger of God."
"'He explained, "I have been given permission to leave." "As companions,
then!" said Abn Bakr. "Yes," he replied.
"'Aha Bakr then said, "Do take one of these two mounts of mine." The
Messenger of God (SAAS) replied, "I'll pay yon for it."'
"'A'isha went on, 'So we quickly prepared some equipment for them and put
some provisions in a leather bag. Asma', Aha Bakr's daughter, cut off a piece of
her girdle to tie up the month of the bag; she was thereafter known as "she of the
two girdles".
"'Then the Messenger of God (SAAS) went with Aha Bakr to a cave on Mt.
Thawr, where they stayed for three nights. Also with them during the night was