theQurayshplannedtokilltheProphet,heleftMeccaandmigratedto
Medina, and thus began a new era in the history of Islam.
‘AlībinAbiTālibhadbeenleftbehindbytheProphet tomisleadthe
enemies,toreturnthe propertyofothersentrustedtothe Prophet,and
alsotobringtheremainingmembersoftheProphet’simmediatefamily
toMedina. Afteraccomplishingthe tasksgivento him,‘Alīstartedthe
journey towards Medina with three Fātimas: Fātima bint Asad (‘Alī’s
mother),FātimabintZubayr ibn‘AbdulMuttalib(auntof ‘Alīandthe
Prophet), and Fātimatu ‘z-Zahrā’.
TheProphet,whohadleftMeccaearlier,waitedfor‘Alīandhisfamily
atQubaontheoutskirtsofMedina.WhenAbuBakrsuggestedthatthey
enterthe cityof Medina,the Prophet refusedto do sountilhis cousin
andhisbeloveddaughterreachedhiminQuba.And,indeed,theProph-
etenteredMedinaonlyafterthoseclosesttohiminfamilytiesaswellas
in spiritual affiliation had joined him from Mecca!