Book: Dalail an-Nubuwwah by Bayhaqi

Chapter: The Prophet's (peace be upon him) Exit with His Companion Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq to the Cave and the Evidences Related to That

It was narrated to us by Abu Abdullah Al-Hafiz, who said: It was narrated to us by Abu Bakr ibn Ishaq Al-Faqih, who said: It was narrated to us by Ubayd ibn Abd al-Wahid, who said: Yahya ibn Bukayr informed us, who said: Al-Laith narrated to us, who said: Abu Al-Hasan Muhammad ibn Abdullah informed me, and the wording is from him. He said: Muhammad ibn Ishaq narrated to us, who said: Muhammad ibn Yahya narrated to us, who said: Ibn Salih told us, who said: Al-Laith narrated to us, who said: Aqil told me, who said: Ibn Shihab said: Urwah ibn Az-Zubayr informed me that A'ishah, the wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him), said, "I never found my parents except practicing the religion. Every day the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) would visit us, both in the morning and in the evening. When the Muslims were afflicted, Abu Bakr migrated towards the land of Abyssinia until he reached Bark Al-Ghimad. There, Ibn Ad-Dughunnah, the chief of the Quraish, met him and asked, 'Where are you going, Abu Bakr?' He replied, 'My people have expelled me, so I desire to roam the earth and worship my Lord.' Ibn Ad-Dughunnah said, 'Someone like you does not leave and is not expelled. Surely, you accumulate good deeds."

Maintaining Ties and Standing for Justice

In one of his noble actions, Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, stood steadfast in worshiping his Lord despite the opposition he faced. The story goes that the son of Dughunnah accompanied him as he roamed around the nobles of Quraysh, extolling Abu Bakr's virtues. He emphasized that Abu Bakr was a man who upheld the ties of kinship, carried the burdens of others, welcomed guests, and helped in times of need. The Quraysh then surrounded the son of Dughunnah and assured Abu Bakr's safety.

Building a House of Worship

Initially, Abu Bakr worshiped in his own home, refraining from provoking the Quraysh. Later, he built a mosque within his courtyard where he prayed and recited the Quran, undeterred by the mockery and harassment of the idolaters. Abu Bakr's emotional recitation stirred the hearts of Quraysh women and children, leading to inquiries about this steadfast man worshipping in their midst.

Opposition and Negotiations

Concerned about the potential influence on their families, the Quraysh approached the son of Dughunnah and expressed their apprehensions about Abu Bakr's public display of worship. They suggested that he should confine his devotion to his home to prevent any perceived threat to their community. They urged him to restrain Abu Bakr or seek compensation for the discomfort caused by his actions. However, they were insistent that they did not want to initiate hostility against him.

Conversation between Aisha and Abu Bakr

Aisha said: Ibn al-Dughanna came to Abu Bakr and said, "You know my binding obligation to you. Either you accept it, or you return my pledge because I do not want the Arabs to say that I have deceived a man whom I have obligated myself to." Abu Bakr replied, "I return your pledge and I am content with the protection of Allah, the Almighty." On that day, the Messenger of Allah was in Mecca. He said to the Muslims, "I have seen the 'she-camel's abode' where you will migrate. It is a valley with date palm trees between two lava plains." Those were the Harraat. So whoever migrated did so towards Medina when the Messenger of Allah mentioned it. Those who had migrated to Abyssinia returned to Medina. Abu Bakr prepared for migration towards Medina.

The Departure with the Prophet

The Prophet said to him, "Carry your saddle, for I hope for permission to accompany me." Abu Bakr asked, "Do you hope that from me, by my father and mother?" The Prophet replied, "Yes." Abu Bakr confined himself to the Messenger of Allah to accompany him. He prepared two riding animals with dried provisions for four months. Ibn Shihab narrated from Urwah that Aisha said, "One day, while we were sitting in our home at noon, someone said to Abu Bakr, 'Here is the Messenger of Allah coming at an unusual hour.' Abu Bakr pledged to ransom him with his father and mother, saying, 'By Allah, if he comes at this hour, it must be a serious matter.' The Messenger sought permission, entered, and ordered Abu Bakr to dismiss those present."

Translation of classical Arabic text

Abu Bakr said: "O Messenger of Allah, permission has been granted for me to leave." The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied, "Yes." Abu Bakr said, "O Messenger of Allah, take one of my two riding animals." The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) replied, "For a price."

Aisha narrates: "So, I prepared them both, hurriedly assembled the provisions, and made for them a leather pouch which Asma, the daughter of Abu Bakr, cut a piece from its opening and sewed it back. From then on, she was called 'She of the Two Belts'.

After that, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and Abu Bakr headed towards a cave in Mount Thawr, where they hid for three nights, with Abdullah bin Abu Bakr staying with them. He was a young, smart servant who guided them in and out by night through secret paths, so that they ended up in Quraish by early morning.

When Abu Bakr offered his riding animal for sale, the Prophet clarified he would only accept payment for it. The price was communicated, and it was agreed upon. The value of the animal, according to al-Waqidi, was eight hundred, and it was the swift mare that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) took.

She continued living after the Prophet in the time of Abu Bakr's caliphate. Asma used to graze her in al-Baqi. In another narration by Ibn Hibban, she was referred to as al-Judha’a.

Glossary:

• Ahth al-Jihaz: Hastened the travel preparations.
• Al-Jarab: A waistband with a pocket that women wear.
• An-Nitaq: Anything used to cinch the waist.
• Tha'un: She was named 'She of the Two Belts' because she used to wear a double belt or had two cinches, or at times she had two belts, wearing one and carrying the provisions for the Prophet in the second while in the cave.
• Kamana: They remained.
• Luqin: Quick in understanding.
• Thaqif: Sharp and astute.
• Yadallaj: He led through the use of magic, where 'adallaj' signifies moving in the early part of the night, and 'yadallaj' involves marching towards the end of it.

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

Key Points: The passage describes how 'Aamir ibn Fuhayrah, a freed slave of Abu Bakr, would graze two animals every night until dawn. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Abu Bakr hired a guide named Khirritan from the tribe of Dili to guide them during their migration to Medina.

'Aamir ibn Fuhayrah

'Aamir ibn Fuhayrah, a freed slave of Abu Bakr, was a devout follower who participated in battles and was later martyred.

Khirritan

Khirritan, skilled in guidance, was hired by the Prophet and Abu Bakr for their journey to Medina. He was previously a disbeliever but was entrusted with their camels and fulfilled his duty faithfully.

Source:

This narration is found in Sahih Bukhari, narrated by Yahya ibn Bukayr from Al-Layth.

Explanation:

The term "Khirritan" signifies expertise in guidance, akin to a needle finding its way through a thread. This guide was crucial during the migration to Medina, ensuring the safety of the Prophet and his companions.

Story of Abu Bakr's Virtue Over Umar

It was narrated by various reliable individuals that during the time of Umar ibn al-Khattab, men were mentioned in a way that made it seem like they preferred Umar over Abu Bakr. When Umar was informed of this, he responded, "By Allah, one night of Abu Bakr is better than Umar's family, and one day of Abu Bakr is better than Umar's family. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, once went out at night and Abu Bakr was with him. The Prophet walked for a while with Abu Bakr behind him and then in front until the Prophet noticed and asked why. Abu Bakr, out of respect, replied that he would rather be behind the Prophet when he mentioned something about moving forward and backward. The Prophet then asked Abu Bakr if there was anything he preferred over him. Abu Bakr replied affirmatively citing his deep love and admiration for the Prophet. After this incident in the cave, Abu Bakr expressed his loyalty by preparing the cave for the Prophet and repeatedly deferring to his superiority. Umar later remarked that that night was better than Umar's entire lineage.

Narration by Abu Al-Husayn on Ahmad bin Salman's Account

Another account by Abu al-Husayn is reported through Ahmad bin Salman on a different incident where Aisha, the wife of the Prophet, mentioned her unwavering loyalty to her parents, her adherence to certain practices, and her experiences with certain companions. In these instances, it is clear that the Prophet and his companions shared deep bonds of loyalty and respect.

Story of Abu Bakr's Support for the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

Ja'far narrated: I heard that Abdur-Rahman ibn Ibrahim al-Rasibi told us, that Furat ibn al-Sa'ib informed him, that Maymun ibn Mihran narrated from Dabbah ibn Mihsan al-Anzi, who heard from Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) about an incident he mentioned.

Umar said: “By Allah! A night of Abu Bakr is greater than Umar's day. Can I tell you about his night and day?” I said: “Yes, O Amir al-Mu'minin (Commander of the Faithful).”

He continued: “The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) left Makkah during the night, and Abu Bakr followed him. Abu Bakr would move in front of him, then behind him, to his right, and to his left. The Prophet asked him: 'Abu Bakr, why are you acting this way?' Abu Bakr replied: 'O Messenger of Allah, I fear for your safety. I will be your scout in front of you, behind you, to your right, and to your left.' The Prophet continued walking until his feet were injured. When Abu Bakr noticed, he carried him, and brought him to a cave. The Prophet entered first to ensure safety, then Abu Bakr entered. Inside, there were holes with scorpions and snakes, and Abu Bakr was worried about harm coming to the Prophet. He used his feet to cover the holes, getting bitten in the process. Tears streamed down his face, but the Prophet comforted him, assuring that Allah was with them, bringing tranquility to Abu Bakr's heart.

Abu Bakr's Day: After the Prophet passed away and some Arabs refused to pray or give zakat, they came to Abu Bakr seeking advice. He said: "Oh Khalifah of the Messenger of Allah, unite the people and be lenient with them." Some individuals criticized him, to which Abu Bakr responded: “Harsh in Jahiliyyah, humble in Islam. With what should I unite them, with an unsightly untruth, or an attractive falsehood?” The Prophet had passed away, and revelation ceased. If they held back a single camel's hobble they gave to the Prophet, I would have fought them over it. We fought alongside him, and by Allah, he was absolutely right. This was his day."

Transmitter: Abu Al-Husayn ibn Al-Fadl Al-Qattan informed us, and Abu Bakr ibn Attab mentioned it.

Translation of an Islamic Classical Text

Chain of Transmission

It was narrated by Al-Qasim ibn Abdullah ibn Al-Mughirah who reported from Isma'il ibn Uways, who reported from Isma'il ibn Ibrahim ibn 'Uqbah, from his uncle Musa ibn 'Uqbah, who narrated or reported this from Ibn Shihab. In a narration by Abu 'Abdullah Al-Hafiz, Abu Ja'far Al-Baghdadi informed them through Abu 'l-Uthatha, Muhammad ibn 'Amr ibn Khalid, who was reported from his father, who was reported from Ibn Lahi'ah, who conveyed it from Abu Al-Aswad, from 'Urwa ibn Az-Zubayr, that they used to search for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in all directions. They reached the top of the mountain where the cave of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was located. They heard the voices of the Prophet and Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr was overwhelmed with worry and fear, upon which the Prophet reassured him, saying, "Do not grieve, indeed Allah is with us." The Prophet then prayed, and tranquility descended upon him from Allah. Allah sent down His tranquility upon His Messenger and upon the believers. (Quran, Surah At-Tawbah, 9:25)

Extracts and Narrations

In a narration recorded by Al-Bukhari in his commentary, Anas reported from Abu Bakr that he said: "I was with the Prophet in the cave, and I saw the traces of the polytheists. I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, if one of them were to look down at his feet, he would see us.' The Prophet replied, 'What do you think of two, with Allah as their third?' And it is narrated that 'Allah sent His tranquility upon him' refers to the assurance provided by the Prophet to Abu Bakr, calming his fears. May Allah's mercy be upon Ash-Sharaf Al-Busiri, who said: 'Woe to the people who rejected a prophet in the land...'

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

Abu Bakr was granted a gift that covered him and his family in Mecca. Abu Bakr sent Amer ibn Fuhayrah to deliver that gift to the Messenger of Allah in the cave. Amer ibn Fuhayrah was a trusted servant of Abu Bakr and he hired a man named Urwa ibn Abdul ibn Adi as a guide. They spent many nights in the cave, with Abdullah ibn Abu Bakr bringing them news every evening.

People were curious about the wisdom behind the Prophet Muhammad’s choice to stay in Thawr Cave specifically. It was said that the Prophet trusted in good omens and that the stability of the earth on the back of a bull matched his desire for tranquility. He sought solace and stability in the cave with optimism and reassurance.

Anas narrated that the Prophet asked Hassaan if he had spoken about Abu Bakr, and when Hassaan affirmed, the Prophet listened as he praised Abu Bakr for his many virtues and his unwavering loyalty.

It was noted that the guide, Abdullah ibn Urwa, was initially a disbeliever from the Quraish tribe; his later conversion to Islam is a matter of controversy among scholars.

Story of Abu Bakr's Accompaniment with the Prophet in the Cave

In the city of Mecca, 'Amir ibn Fuhayrah al-Ghanam would visit them every night, milking their animals and kneading dough for them. In the morning, he would accompany them to the pasture, blending in with the people so well that no one noticed him. When the voices quieted, their companion would return with their two camels, which had been left in the cave for two days and two nights.

Accompaniment Through the Journey

In another narration by Musa ibn 'Uqbah, they departed after three nights with 'Amir ibn Fuhayrah, who served and assisted them. Abu Bakr led the camel, followed by Uqbah on his ride. The only people with them were 'Amir ibn Fuhayrah and the two guides. They passed by Mecca and traveled along the coast below 'Usfan, later encountering a roadblock after Qudayd.

Conversation in the Cave

Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, was with the Messenger of Allah in the cave when a stone injured his hand. He said, "You are only a finger causing me pain, and in the way of Allah, I will endure it." This event is narrated by various scholars, including Ibn Marwiyah from Jundub ibn 'Abdullah ibn Sufyan al-Bajali.

Sources: Al-Bidayah wal-Nihayah (3:189), narrated by Ibn Marwiyah from Jundub ibn 'Abdullah ibn Sufyan al-Bajali.

Hadith on the Unseen

I asked the Messenger of Allah, "If one of them looks at his feet, would we see what is underneath them?" The Prophet replied, "O Abu Bakr! What do you think about two people with Allah as their third?"

Narrators

• Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Abdan reported from Ahmad ibn Ubayd al-Saffar who narrated from Abdul Aziz ibn Muawiya al-Qurashi who narrated from Habbān who narrated from Hammam about al-Bunānī with a similar chain except that he said, "If one of them raised his foot, we would see beneath it." [Recorded by Bukhari in Sahih].
• Muslim reported from Zuhayr ibn Harb and others from Habbān.

Additional Narrators

• Abu al-Hasan Ali ibn Abdullah ibn Ibrahim al-Hashimi from Baghdad told us the narration through Usman ibn Ahmad al-Daqqāq who narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa al-Bari who narrated from Muslim ibn Ibrahim.
• Abu Bakr Ahmad ibn al-Hasan al-Qāḍi, Abu Sadīq Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Attār reported from Abu Abbas al-Asammu who narrated from Muhammad ibn Ali al-Warrāq who narrated from Muslim who narrated through Awn ibn Amr al-Qaysi about the same hadith.

This hadith is found in Sahih al-Bukhari in the section of the virtues of the Companions, and it was also narrated by Imam Muslim in the chapter discussing the virtues of Abu Bakr as-Siddiq. Various scholars have referenced this hadith in different contexts providing additional insight into its significance.

Hadith Narrated by Anas ibn Malik

I heard Abu Musab al-Makki saying, "I met Anas ibn Malik, Zaid ibn Arqam, and Al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah. I heard them talking that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, on the night of the cave, Allah commanded a tree to grow in front of the Prophet's face and cover him. Allah also commanded a spider to spin a web over the Prophet's face and cover him. And Allah commanded two wild pigeons to stand at the mouth of the cave. Young Quraysh men, each representing a clan, approached the Prophet with their sticks, bags, and swords until they were about forty arms-length away. One of them peered into the cave and saw the two pigeons at the entrance. Upon returning to his companions, they asked why he did not enter the cave. He explained that he saw the two pigeons at the entrance and realized no one was inside. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, heard what he said and knew that Allah had protected him by those signs. He called the pigeons, tapped on them, and imposed a penalty on them before they flew down into the sanctuary."

Transmission Chain

Reported by Abu Abdullah Ishaq ibn Abi Saeed al-Sousi: Abu Hasan Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abdous al-Tarayfii informed us, who was told by Abu Saeed al-Hasan ibn Abdul Samad al-Quhunduzi, who heard it from Muhammad ibn Humaid, who was informed by Ali ibn Mujahid, who narrated from Ash'ath ibn Ishaq, from Jafar ibn Abu al-Mughirah, from Said ibn Jubayr, from Ibn Abbas. Ibn Abbas said, "Allah sent down His tranquillity upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and Abu Bakr, for the tranquillity never left him."

Narrator's Commentary

In another version by Qasim ibn Thabit ibn Hazam al-Aufi al-Sarqasti, who studied under al-Nasai and authored a book explaining hadith, titled "Al-Dalail." He passed away in Sarqosta in 302 AH. In the book "Al-Dalail," it is mentioned: "When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, entered the cave with Abu Bakr, Allah caused a tree called 'Raa'ah' to grow at its entrance, shielding the eyes of the disbelievers from seeing them." The 'Raa'ah' is a tree resembling the height of a human, with threads and white flowers resembling feathers.