Story No. 168 – Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) goes to cave of Thaur (Thawr cave)

At midnight the enemies of Islam surrounded the house of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) to carry out their satanic plot. But since Allah (SWT) was the supporter and protector of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw), He saved him from harm at the hands of the murderous infidels.

 

When half the night was over, Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) left his house to begin his journey. As he came out of the house he threw some sand towards the men who were waiting to kill him and recited the following verse of Noble Qur’an: “And We have made before them a barrier and a barrier behind them, then We have covered them over so that they do not see.” (36:9)

 

While Imam Ali (as) lay on his bed, Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) began his journey out of Makkah. Before he had left the city, he met Abu Bakr on the way and took him along with him. Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) knew that the Quraish would waste no time in pursuing him once they learnt of his departure, so he took refuge in the cave of Thaur (Thawr cave), which was to the south of Makkah on the way to Yathrib.

 

The infidels rushed towards Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam’s (saw) bed with drawn swords in their hands, but to their surprise, they found Imam Ali (as) in his place. Upset and enraged, they asked, where has Muhammad gone? Imam Ali (as) answered, ‘Had you assigned me to watch him? Well, you intended to expel him and he has left the city.’

 

Realizing that all their plots were frustrated, the idol worshipping Quraish took serious measures but all in vain.

 

Moral of the story: When you do something purely for Islam, then Allah (SWT) helps you. Everyone can plan but only what Allah (SWT) wants will happen.

 

On the way to Yathrib, cave of Thaur (Thawr cave) and Quba

 

When the Quraish found out that Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) had left Makkah, they sent men to block all routes leading to Yathrib. They also hired some men who could trace the location of travellers by their footprints. It was declared that whoever gave correct information about the hiding place of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) would be rewarded with 100 camels.

 

One of the best trackers of the Quraish, a man named Abu Karz, traced the footprints of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) to the cave of Thaur. However, when some men came near the mouth of the cave, they saw that its entrance was blocked by a spider’s web and some wild pigeons had laid eggs in a nest at the entrance. The men knew that the spider and pigeons would not have made their homes there if there had been anyone in the cave. Also, if the web had been there from before, it would have been damaged if someone had entered the cave. They therefore returned without looking inside. By this miracle Allah (SWT) protected His beloved messenger.

 

12th of Rabi al-Awwal, QubaMohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) remained in the cave for three days and nights. On one of these nights Imam Ali (as) came to visit him. Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) told him to arrange for camels for Abu Bakr and himself. He also directed him to announce in Makkah the following day that if anybody had left something in trust with Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw), or had loaned him anything, he should claim it from Imam Ali (as). He further instructed Imam Ali (as) to make arrangements for the Fawaatim (The three Fatimas – Fatima al-Zahra (sa), Fatima bint Asad and Fatima bint Zubayr), as well as any other members of Bani Hashim who wished to leave Makkah. Imam Ali (as) was to escort these people personally to Yathrib.

 

After staying in the Thawr cave for three days, Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) proceeded towards Yathrib. One of the Makkans, Saraqa ibn Malik, attempted to pursue him, but his horse’s hoof sank into the ground three times and threw him down, so he repented and returned to Makkah.

 

On the 12th of Rabi al-Awwal, Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) reached a place called Quba, where he stayed for a few days. Abu Bakr insistently asked Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) to begin travelling towards Yathrib, but Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) refused to go without Imam Ali (as). He said to Abu Bakr, Ali has endangered his own life to save mine. He is my cousin, my brother, and the dearest among the family to me. I will not leave here until he joins me.

 

After fulfilling the mission assigned to him and having arranged for the safe departure of Prophet Muhammad’s family members to Yathrib, Imam Ali (as) hastened forward on foot to Yathrib, travelling only in the night and hiding himself in the day, lest he should fall into the hands of the Quraish. He reached Quba three days after the arrival of Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw), but his legs were so bruised that he could hardly walk. Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) embraced him most affectionately, blessed his hurt legs with the saliva from his own mouth which healed Imam Ali’s (as) swollen legs.

 

The converts at Quba desired Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) to lay the foundation stone of a mosque for them. Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) marked the site and fixing the position of Qibla, he laid the foundation stone for the first mosque of Islam. Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) used to pray Qasr while waiting for Imam Ali (as). It is mentioned in the Noble Qur’an as the mosque founded on piety and devoutness.

 

Then Mohammad, the Prophet of Islam (saw) left Quba on the 16th of Rabi al-Awwal towards Yathrib.