Day: June 14, 2023

MIGRATION TO MADINA

On release from the virtual incarceration at Shaab e Abu Talib, of Bani Hashim, the enthusiasm of the Qureish in pestering them cooled down. Although, in their hearts, they had the same hatred for the Prophet (s.a.),his family and companions, as erstwhile. They had some consideration and awe of the personality of Abu Talib that kept them in a degree of check. Abu Talib had now grown old and the troubles of exile had not done any good to his health. He deceased a short while after his return from Shaab e Abu Talib. Now the people of Makka got total freedom to trouble the Prophet (s.a.) and the new converts to Islam the way they wished to.None had the courage to stop them from their nefarious activities. Every day the troublesome activities of Qureish increased.

When the tyranny of the Qureish became unbearable, the Prophet (s.a.) went to Taef from Makka. Taef is at a distance of 60 miles from Makka and has a salubrious climate. According to a narrative of Abul Hassan Madaini, Hazrat Ali (a.s.) and Zaid ibne Harita accompanied the Prophet (s.a.) on this journey. The purpose of the Prophet (s.a.) behind this trip was to invite the people of Taef to the fold of Islam. But the people there were worse than those in Makka. They didn’t agree to listen to the Prophet (s.a.) and set wayward urchins and wagabonds to throw stones at the visiting party. With difficulty the Prophet (s.a.) spent a month at Taef and, literally, the wagabonds chased the party away from there. The only way left for them was to head back to Makka. They came to the outskirts of the town and camped at the Cave of Hira. It was risky for them to enter the precincts of the town without some plausible support. He sent word to Mutam ibne Adi through a person seeking his protection. When he pledged his support, the Prophet (s.a.) entered the town. Here he faced the same difficulties and hurdles as he faced at Taef. But, despite all the difficulties he continued his Mission. He visited the nearby hamlets and propagated the Message of Islam. The Qureish too shadowed him during these trips and used to interrupt the meetings calling him a madcap. The Prophet (s.a.), however maintained his calm and composure. He never reacted angrily and thus continued his mission.

It was the practice of the Prophet (s.a.) that during the Haj, he used to meet the persons coming from far away places to give them the Message of Islam. Those pilgrims who were of receptive nature, embraced Islam. It was the haj on the tenth year after the Annunciation when a group from yathrib visited Makka. When the Prophet (s.a.) during a trip of propagation reached Muna, he came across six persons near Uqba. He went near them and asked about the tribe they belonged to. They said that they were from Yathrib and they belonged to the Tribe of Khazraj. The Prophet (s.a.) sat down with that group and recited to them some Verses from the Holy Quran and invited them to embrace Islam. They were much influenced by the Islamic Principles and readily embraced it. Now, this was the beginning of the spread of Islam in Yathrib. During the next haj, twelve persons came from Yathrib and embraced Islam. The following year a contingent of 73 persons arrived and embraced Islam at the hands of the Prophet (s.a) These persons said that it was their desire that the Prophet (s.a.) changed his residence to

Yathrib and made it the head quarters for his Mission. They promised him all cooperation and protection. In Makka there were many hurdles in the way of propagating the Faith. He informed to the Muslims that he intended to migrate to Madina. The Muslims were already fed up of the ill treatment meted out to them by the Qureish. When they found a place of peace, they started migrating one afteranother.. When the Qureish saw that the Muslims have gained support and protection of the people of Yathrib, they feared that if the Prophet (s.a.) too migrated, his disturbed group might consoldate and rise against them. Therefore the Qureish started creating hurdles in the way of those migrating to Madina. They withheld the families and children of some migrants, snatched away the money from some and threatened some others. But all these schemes of the Qureish were of no avail.and barring a few persons all the intended migrants succeeded in changing their residence.

When the Qureish failed in their efforts to curb the migration, they called together a council in which all the major families excepting the Bani Hashim participated. From Banu Abd Shams, Utba, shaiba and Abu Sufian, from Banu Naufil, Taima ibne Adi Jabeer ibne Mutim and Harit ibne Aamir, from Banu Abd al Dar, Nazar ibne Harith, from banu Asad, Abul Bakhtari ibne Hisham, Zama ibne Aswad and Hakim ibne Hazam, from Banu Makhzoom, Abu jahl ibne Hisham, from Banu Saham, Nabia and Munba, sons of Hajaj, from Banu Haja, Umayya ibne Khalaf were at the conclave. In addition to these dignitries some other people too attended the meeting. It happened that one aged person from Najd attended this meeting. One person who started the proceedings of the meeting said that the Muslims have struck an alliance with people from outside and they can acquire a position of strength at any time in the future. The meeting must seriously deliberate the matter. If this movement is not curbed, there was a lurking danger of their rising under the leadership of Mohammed (s.a.) and attacking the Qureish! There was the need for devising a way nip Islam in the bud.and to give such punishment to Mohammed (s.a.) that, in future, none else raises his head. Aasi ibne Wael, Umayya ibne Khalaf andAbi ibne Khalaf said that Mohammed (s.a.) must be chained and incarcerated in a dungeon till he died with hunger and thirst. The Najadi old man said that the suggestion was not good. If such a step was taken, the people of Mohammed (s.a.)’s tribe might fight and get him released. Otba, Shaiba and Abu Sufian said that he must be exiled so that they don’t hear any word against their idols in the future. The Najadi opposed this proposal too saying that wherever he went, he will gather people around him with his sweet talk and make them rise against the Qureish. Then none will be able to curb his onslaught. Abu Jahl said that strong youths should be selected from every tribe and they should all, in unison, attack Mohammed (s.a.) and kill him. In such an event any one tribe cannot be blamed individually for the killing and it will be beyond the strength of Banu Hashim to avenge the killing. Therefore, they will be forced to accept Deet instead of demanding the Qisas! He added that they will together contribute to pay the amount of the Deet. This suggestion was accepted by everyone and the Najadi too endorsed it. To implement the project it was decided to post a vigil near the Prophet (s.a.)’s residence around dusk to keep a keen eye on the movements there lest he escaped
getting wind of their plan. In the darkness of the night the youths would then barge into his house and kill him. Here the conclave against him was in progress, and on the other side Allah had forewarned the Prophet (s.a.) of the impending danger. Therefore Allah has said in the Quran:

“Remember the time when the infidels were scheming against you to incarcerate you at some place or to kill you or to banish you. They were planning their stratagem and Allah had his own plan. Allah is a better Planner!”

To implement Allah’s Plan, the Prophet (s.a.) called Ali (a.s.) and said, “O Ali! Qureish have decided that they would assassinate me tonight. But Allah Has ordered me to leave Makka and make you sleep in my bed! It is very disturbing for me to leave you behind surrounded with enemies, but

this is the command of Allah, therefore:

You must cover yourself with my green Hadrami Shawl and sleep in my bed and

no harm will come your way from them.” Tareeq e Kaamil, Vol 2, Page 72

Hazrat Ali (a.s.) didn’t raise a word of dissent or objection against the Prophet (s.a.)’s instruction. He was concerned only of the safety of the Prophet (s.a.). The Prophet (s.a.) assured him that he will be able to safely escape from the clutches of the enemies. Hearing this, Ali (a.s.) made a prostration of thanksgiving to Allah! Ibne Shahr Ashoob writes:

“Ali (a.s.) was the first to

Make a prostration of Thanksgiving

And the first to keep his face on

The dust after prostration”

Ref: Munaqib, Vol 1, Page 127

After raising his head from the prostration, Ali (a.s.) asked the Prophet (s.a.) to go peacefully and that he would sleep in his bed as instructed. The Prophet (s.a.) could elude the infidels and proceeded towards the Jabl e Toor and Ali (a.s.) fearlessly covered himself with the Prophet (s.a.)’s shawl and peacefully slept in his bed. Allama Diyar Bakri writes:

“On the night of the Migration

when Ali (a.s.) slept on the bed of the Prophet (s.a.), Allah Revealed to Jibrail &Mekail ‘I have established a relationship of brotherhood between you two and Have made the life of one more than that of the other. Who is the one between you who can sacrifice his life for the other?’ They both opted for their individual life only! Then Allah Revealed to them why a.s.)!
they were not like Ali (
‘I made him Mohammed (s.a.)’s brother. At the cost of his life he is sleeping on the bed of Mohammed (s.a.). Descend, both of you, to the earth and guard him from his enemies!’ Therefore Jibrail stood at the head and Mekail stood at the foot of the bed and started saying: ‘Felicitations! O son of Abu Talib! Who is like you that Allah prides on the angels because of you’ And then Allah Revealed the Verse: There are also people who stake their lives in the way of Allah, and Allah is very kind on His Creatures”” Ref: Tareeq e Qamees, Vol 1, Page 325

After the Prophet (s.a.) went away, Hazrat Abu Bakr came to his house. Not finding him there, he asked Ali (a.s.), “Where is the Prophet (s.a.)?’ On being told that he had gone towards the Jabl Tur, Abu Bakr too proceeded in that direction. The historian Tabari writes:

“When the Prophet (s.a.) heard the sounds Of the steps of Abu Bakr in the darkness

of the night, he thought that one of the infidels

was following him. He increased the speed of walking.

The strap of his sandle gave way and one of his

toes got injured. This caused him bleeding. However he

kept on walking fast!”

Ref: Tareekh e Tabari, Vol2, Page 100

Hazrat Abu Bakr felt that he was the cause of inconvenience to the Prophet (s.a.) and therefore he called him aloud and identified himself. Recognizing his voice, the Prophet (s.a.) stopped. Around dawn both reached the Jabl e Tur and took shelter in a cave.

The vigil of the infidels continued at the house of the Prophet (s.a.). Whenever they peeped inside, they found the Prophet (s.a.) deep in his sleep covered in his shawl! Near the dawn, they unsheathed their swords and rushed into the house. Hearing the slight commotion, Hazrat Ali (a.s.) removed the shawl from his face. When they saw Ali (a.s.) in the bed of the Prophet (s.a.) their faces went pale! Surprised they asked where Mohammed (s.a.) had gone. Ali ( a.s.) asked them, “Did you entrust him to me that you are asking me about him?Allah knows where he is!” At this reply the infidels were much upset. They were facing defeat in their designs. They thought of avenging the failure against Ali (a.s.) but ultimately left him

unharmed and went with crestfallen faces to go in the pursuit of the Prophet (s.a.).

The infidels of Qureish so far had the satisfaction that although most of the Muslims had migrated from Makka, Mohammed (s.a.) was still there for them to wreak their revenge against him. Even if the Muslims acquired strength at Yathrib, they dare not attack Makka for the fear of the Prophet (s.a.)’s safety. Now that the Prophet (s.a.) had escaped, the situation had drastically changed. They made men run in all directions to search for the Prophet (s.a.). Some men reached near the Jabl Tur in their search. Outside the cave there was neither any mark of footsteps nor any signs of someone entering it.. At the entrance spiders had knit their web and some pigeons had made their nest. The men returned from there disappointed. Abu Jahl announced that whoever brought back the Prophet (s.a.), he will be gifted a hundred camels. Saraqa ibne Malik, in the greed of the gift, went in search of the Prophet (s.a.). He even spotted him. But the person was awed with the majesty of the Prophet (s.a). He quietly returned back. The Prophet (s.a.) stayed in the cave for three days and nights. On the 5th of Rabi al Awwal he started traveling towards Madina. After traversing the distance of three miles he halted with Bani Umro ibne Auf at the place called Quba. He halted there till Hazrat Ali (a.s.) joined him.

After the departure of the Prophet (s.a.), Hazrat Ali (a.s.) stayed at Makka for three days. He returned the things in the trust of the Prophet (s.a.) to their owners. On the fourth day he seated Fatima binte Mohammed, Fatima binte Zubair and Fatima binte Asad in litters on the camel backs and proceeded towards Madina. When Qureish learned that even Ali (a.s.) had left for Madina, they felt deeply insulted and sent a contingent of eight men mounted on camels in his pursuit. When Ali (a.s.), and his retinue, was around twenty five miles from Makka near the hill of Zabhanan, the men too reached there. Seeing them, he dismounted the ladies and made them stay at the foot of the hill in a safe place and confronted the men. The men tried to surround and ambush him.and addressed in a harsh tone asking him to return to Makka with them. They also said that if he didn’t yield, they would take him there forcibly. Hazrat Ali (a.s.) didn’t pay any heed to what they said and breaking the circle he moved forward. The slave of Harb ibne Omayya, Jina, unsheathed his sword and stood in his way. A change came on the face of Hazrat Ali (a.s.), he put his hand on the scabbard of his sword and moved forward. Jina attacked but missed the mark. Hazrat Ali (a.s.) moved his sword and the slave was cut into two. When the other men saw this scene, they fled in fear! Hazrat Ali spent the night at the foot of the hill of Zabhanan and early morning moved towards Madina. It was summer time and hot winds were blowing. Walking on the hot sand, the soles of his feet developed calluses. It was only his spirit that kept him moving forward. Alas, the small entourage reached Quba where they joined with the Prophet (s.a.). The Prophet (s.a.) came forward and embraced him affectionately. His eyes watered and he removed the dust from Ali (a.s.)’s cloak with his own hands. They now traveled safely to Madina.

The courage demonstrated by Ali (a.s.) sleeping in the bed of the Prophet (s.a.) has no parallel in the history. He had learned from the the Prophet


(s.a.) about the plans of the Qureish to assassinate him in the bed that night. The ease with which he slept in that bed demonstrates his courage and the profound love and care that he had for the safety of the Prophet (s.a.). He knew that he was exposing his own life to jeopardy. But for him, no sacrifice was big enough in the cause of the Faith and the Prophet (s.a.)!

If Ali (a.s.) had not slept in the bed, or even moved away from it after some time out of fear, it would have warned the vigilantes and they could have easily pursued and caught up with the Propeht (s.a.) and the result could have been either tle loss of the life of the Prophet (s.a.) or his incarceration at Makka to prevent his migration to Madina. Both ways it would have been detrimental to the propagation and the progress of the Faith. It was Ali (a.s)’s courageous act that ensured the safety of the Prophet (s.a.) and the victory of Islam over infidelity!