Men of Excellence: Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)
After reciting Tashahhud, Ta`awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) said that he would continue highlighting incidents from the life of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).
His Holiness (aba) said that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was among those who accompanied the Holy Prophet (sa) to Bai’at-e-Aqabah Thaniah (The second pledge of allegiance at Aqabah). During this time, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was appointed along with Hazrat Ali (ra) to stand guard.
Accompanying the Holy Prophet (sa) During the Migration
His Holiness (aba) said that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) also accompanied the Holy Prophet (sa) during his migration to Madinah. The Makkans had been severely persecuting the Muslims, and it was in light of this that the Muslims had to migrate. Based on a dream, the Holy Prophet (sa) initially thought that the migration was to be towards Yamama. However, later it became clear that the migration was meant to be towards Yathrib, later known as Madinah. Thus, as the residents of Madinah began accepting Islam, the Makkan Muslims were advised to migrate to Madinah. Eventually, majority of the Muslims in Makkah migrated to Madinah, except those who are described in the Holy Qur’an as the following:
“Except such weak ones among men, women and children, as are incapable of adopting any plan or of finding any way.” (4:99)
His Holiness (aba) said that the Holy Prophet (sa) was waiting for the command of God before migrating himself. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) asked permission to migrate, to which the Holy Prophet (sa) replied that he should wait, because soon he too may receive the commandment to migrate.
Makkans Plot to Assassinate the Holy Prophet (sa)
His Holiness (aba) said that at the same time, the chieftains of Makkah were enraged at the fact that Muslims were fleeing. Thus, the chieftains convened to hatch a plot against the Holy Prophet (sa), because they did not wish for him to leave as well. They discussed various plans and plots. Finally, it was decided that a man from each tribe of the Quraish should be given a sword, and all of them should assassinate the Holy Prophet (sa) at the same time. God informed the Holy Prophet (sa) about this plot, when He stated:
“And remember the time when the disbelievers plotted against thee that they might imprison thee or kill thee or expel thee. And they planned and Allah also planned, and Allah is the best of planners.” (8:31)
His Holiness (aba) said that upon receiving divine permission, the Holy Prophet (sa) began preparations to migrate. The Holy Prophet (sa) first went to the home of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), and informed him that he had received permission to migrate, and that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) would accompany him. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) said that he had already prepared two camels for this purpose, one of which he would give to the Holy Prophet (sa). The Holy Prophet (sa) said that he would only take the camel after paying for it, and thus bought it from the Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) for 400 dirhams. It was decided that the first stop would be the Cave of Thaur where they would stay for three days. They also decided to hire a person who had deep knowledge about various paths in the deserts of Arabia. For this purpose, they employed Abdullah bin Uraiqit, who was to meet them at the Cave of Thaur in three days.
Hazrat Ali (ra) Informed of the Plans of the Holy Prophet (sa)
His Holiness (aba) said that after making this plan and returning home, the Holy Prophet (sa) informed Hazrat Ali (ra) about his plan to migrate. He entrusted Hazrat Ali (ra) with the duty of spending that night in his bed, using the same blanket which he used. The Holy Prophet (sa) assured him that the enemy would not cause him any harm. He also instructed Hazrat Ali (ra) that he should return all the trusts which had been given to the Holy Prophet (sa), after which he should join him in Madinah. All the while, the assailants were near the Holy Prophet’s (sa) home, waiting for nightfall in order to launch their attack. The Holy Prophet (sa) could hear Abu Jahl taunting him, and in response, the Holy Prophet (sa) recited:
“Ya Sin. By the Quran, full of wisdom, thou art indeed one of the Messengers, on a right path. This is a revelation of the Mighty, the Merciful, that thou mayest warn a people whose fathers were not warned, and so they are heedless. Surely, the word has proved true against most of them, for they believe not. We have put round their necks collars reaching unto the chins, so that their heads are forced up. And We have set a barrier before them and a barrier behind them, and have covered them over, so that they cannot see.” (36:2-10)
His Holiness (aba) said that by nightfall, although the assailants were right outside and were glancing inside the home of the Holy Prophet (sa), he was able to leave his home undetected, while the disbelievers thought that the man in the bed was the Holy Prophet (sa), it was actually Hazrat Ali (ra). As the morning dawned, the assailants realised that their target had slipped through their fingers, and that it was actually Hazrat Ali (ra) lying in the bed.
His Holiness (aba) said that there are various narrations regarding the time of night at which the Holy Prophet (sa) left his home. Some narrations say that it was in the earlier part of the night, some say it was the middle of the night, while others say it was in the later part of the night. His Holiness (aba) said that according to Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib (ra), the Holy Prophet (sa) left his home in the earlier part of the night, as the disbelievers standing outside his home did not expect him to come out so early, which is why the Holy Prophet (sa) was able to leave undetected. His Holiness (aba) said that according to the Promised Messiah (as), the Holy Prophet (sa) left his home in the very early morning. In any case, the Holy Prophet (sa) was able to leave undetected.
The Holy Prophet (sa) Bids Farewell to Makkah
His Holiness (aba) said that after leaving his home, the Holy Prophet (sa) went straight to Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) home. There, Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) daughters quickly prepared some food for their journey. Then they both set out from there.
His Holiness (aba) said that throughout this journey of migration, the Holy Prophet (sa) continued reciting the following:
“O my Lord, make my entry a good entry and then make me come forth with a good forthcoming. And grant me from Thyself a helping power.” (17:81)
His Holiness (aba) said that as the Holy Prophet (sa) passed by the Ka’bah, he looked towards Makkah and addressed it, saying, “By God, of God’s land, Makkah, you are the dearest to me, and of God’s land, you are the dearest to God. Had your inhabitants not forced me to leave, I would never have left.”
His Holiness (aba) said that as they journeyed to the Cave of Thaur, sometimes Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) would walk in front of the Holy Prophet (sa), sometimes behind him, sometimes to his right and sometimes to his left. The Holy Prophet (sa) asked him about this, to which Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) replied that sometimes he would think that someone may come from in front, from behind or from the sides, and so he would try to cover all sides in order to protect the Holy Prophet (sa).
Reaching the Cave of Thaur
His Holiness (aba) said that when they reached the cave, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) went inside first and cleaned the area. Then the Holy Prophet (sa) went in and lay down, placing his head on Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) leg. There was a hole in the cave, which Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) covered with his foot. Throughout the night, something kept biting him, but for fear of bothering the Holy Prophet (sa), he did not move. When the Holy Prophet (sa) awoke, he saw that the colour of Hazrat Abu Bakr’s (ra) face had changed, and inquired as to what was wrong. When Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) told him, the Holy Prophet (sa) applied his saliva to the wound, which then healed.
His Holiness (aba) said that when the Makkans realised that the Holy Prophet (sa) had left, they began searching for him. They questioned Hazrat Ali (ra) and beat him. Then they went to the home of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and asked his daughter Hazrat Asmaa’ (ra) about the whereabouts of her father. She replied that she did not know, upon which Abu Jahl struck her.
His Holiness (aba) said that the Makkans hired a tracker, who was able to track the Holy Prophet’s (sa) footsteps to the Cave of Thaur. The Makkans stood outside the cave, and Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) states that he could see their feet. Had they looked inside the cave, they would have found them. However they were not alone, as God was with them, Who made a tree grow, sent a spider to spin a web at the mouth of the cave, and a pigeon which made a nest and laid eggs.
His Holiness (aba) said that he would continue highlighting the life of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) in future sermons.
Summary prepared by The Review of Religions