The Prophets Of Allah

Lessons from Hijrah Blessings of Madinah

So we talked about the journey of the Hijrah. And the miraclous story of Suraka ibn Malik - how this bedioun is told he will be wearing the bracelets of Kisra. The story of the hijrah has a number of small stories.

One of these is that of Umme Ma'bad. Its narrated from her directly and she converted to Islam at the end. She says that she's an elderly lady; a complete beduoin. Living in a tent in the desert wandering finding food or water. She's waiting for her husband to return. She hears the rustling of some travellers who ask her permission to come in. And she agreed - it turns its indeed the prophet PBUH and Abu Bukr RA. This is significant because Umme Ma'bad is the one of the few who actually describes the prophet PBUH. And she says he was handsome, long hair, neither short nor tall etc. This was outside Madinah by around 1.5 hour drive (its called Kadeer). The prophet PBUH entered and said "may we purchase any food from you?". This is of course the adhab - even though the custom was to ask for food just for free. Umme Ma'bad replied she had nothing to give them as her husband had gone out in search for food. So the prophet PBUH saw an old goat, and it had long gone i.e. it was about to be slaughtered. It couldnt give milk or reproduce goatlings. The prophet PBUH however asked permission to milk the goat. Umme Ma'bad smurked and said "that day has long gone" and so the prophet PBUH said "but do you allow me to?" In her mind of course there was no question this was impossible so she said "go ahead". The prophet PBUH made dua, moved his hand under the udder and it filled up with milk instantly. And so they drank to their full, and they left the remainder for Umme Ma'bad and her husband. And of course both were in complete shock. When her husband asked where did the milk come from she explained there were two travellers who came in and so on. Upon this her husband said "those are the two the Quraysh are hunting". And he said "do you not know one of them claims to be a prophet?" When she heard this she knew he was, and they accepted Islam.

We also know the prophet PBUH converted a few more people along the way to Madinah. But we dont know the details or their names. Even though its insignificant still the point is when he is running for his life, he is still inviting people to Islam and thinking about saving people. Any opportunity he gets to do good he does and gives dawah.

Its also narrated a caravan passed by the prophet PBUH. Now in those days this was common and actually when two caravans met they usually stopped, said salaam and found out any news etc. Indeed if you're in the middle of the desert and havent seen anyone for days any opportunity of meeting someone you would take. So when the caravan passed by the prophet PBUH and Abu Bukr they stopped and by chance one of the people recognised Abu Bukr - he wasnt a qurayshi but from another arab tribe. And so they greeted Abu Bukr etc. Note they haven't heard of the bounty here. They ask Abu Bukr "who is this man with you?" Abu Bukr responded in double meaning. This is not a lie, its a double meaning. So Abu Bukr RA said "he is my guide, guiding me to the path". Of course what Abu Bukr meant was he is guiding me to Jannah, but they understood this as a normal travel guide to another place. This also shows us Abdullah ibn Araki left them at a certain time and place (prior this incident).

Lessons from the hijrah:

1. Look at the maticulous preparations for the hijrah. The prophet PBUH informed Abu Bukr not to travel and that Allah willing he will accompany the prophet PBUH to Madinah. So upon hearing this Abu Bukr prepared dilligantly. He fattened up two camels, prepared food for the journey etc. The prophet PBUH then comes to him when everyone is asleep i.e. midday so no one can see its him. Also when he comes the prophet PBUH covered his face as an extra measure. On top of this when he enters he tells everyone to leave the house. Now these preprations are coming from someone who has ultimate tawaqul in Allah. Still he takes precautions. This manifests the reality of our Islam. We must do everything we can. The prophet PBUH left Ali RA in his bed; leaving in the middle of the night; covering their tracks using Amr; finding a trustworthy guide; Asma giving them food; Abdullah ibn Abu Bukr listening in to conversations and news. And whats beautiful is the prophet PBUH on the journey is just walking straight in absolute peace reciting the Quran. He knows he has done everything he can. This is the essence of tawaqul. You do everything you can but your heart is attached to Allah. Again in the cave Abu Bukr RA said "if they just look down they will see us etc". But the prophet PBUH calmed him down. Indeed tawaqul is not standing and saying "here we are come for us Allah is our protector". Tawaqul is hiding in the cave, doing as much as you can and then trusting Allah as they did. Allah will make sure they don't look down and He did. So once we do our jobs, Allah will do His. There is a beautiful verse in At Tawba, one of the last revealed. At the peak of Islamic power, Allah says "if you are not going to help the prophet PBUH, don't worry Allah will help him". When the kuffar expelled him, there were only two people against a whole nation. Allah describes the incident of the cave when the prophet PBUH calmed down Abu Bukr RA. And Allah says at that point He sent His peace down. And Allah helped him with an army we did not see (and some say it was the spider, tree etc).