The Trip to Yathrib

On the third day, when they felt certain that the Quraysh had called off the hunt for

them in the vicinity, Muhammad and Abu Bakr commanded their servant to bring

them their camels for escape. The servant managed to bring a third camel for

himself. Asma', daughter of Abu Bakr, brought them provisions. As they mounted,

they could not find ropes with which to tie their provisions of food and water. Asma'

cut her robe in two and used one hall' of it for the purpose while covering herself

with the other half. For this reason she was called "the woman with the two half

robes." Their provisions taken care of, the three men went forth. Abu Bakr carried

five thousand Dirhims, [The word is originally the Greek "drachme," a silver coin of varying value. -Tr.] which was all that

was left of his wealth. Lest the Quraysh should find them, they cautiously took an

untrodden path toward their destination. Their servant and guide, `Abdullah ibn

Urayqit, from the tribe of Banu al Du'il, headed south of Makkah and then to the

mountain range of Tihamat close by the shore of the Red Sea. From there he took an

unknown path northward parallel to the shore but far removed from it. His purpose

was always to remain off the beaten track. All night and most of the day the riders

pressed forth unaffected by fatigue or hardship, for every hardship was preferable

indeed easy by comparison to what the Quraysh was prepared to do to destroy them

and their cause! Muhammad never doubted that God would come to his help, but

God had also commanded man not to expose himself to open risks. God had

counseled that He would assist man only as long as man helped himself and his

brother. The two men were successful in their hiding in the cave. However, the

Quraysh's announcement of an hundred camel prize to whoever would bring them

back or furnish information which would lead to their capture was sufficient to

mobilize the wealth seeking Makkans for the search, even if it was a criminal one.

Still, the Arabs of Quraysh had additional motivation to conduct such a search, for

they regarded Muhammad as their enemy par excellence; and they were so

revengeful and passionate in their hate that no consideration could stop them from

exploiting the weak and injuring the harmless. Therefore, they redoubled their

attentiveness and renewed their vigor for the search.

The Story of Suraqah

Their intuition did not fail them. A man soon arrived at Makkah to report that on his

way he met three riders whom he thought were Muhammad and his companions.

Upon hearing this report, Suraqah ibn Malik ibn Ju'shum immediately said, "Those

are the sons of so and so." His purpose was to lead his companions into disregarding

the report so that he might capture Muhammad single-handed and win the prize of

the hundred camels. A moment later, he returned home, loaded himself with arms,

and ordered his servant to take his horse to the outskirts of the city so that no one

would see him go. There, he arrayed himself for battle, mounted his horse, and

galloped toward the spot where Muhammad was reported to have been seen.

Muhammad and his two companions had at that time repaired to a tree to rest a

little under its shade, to eat a meal and to replenish their energies.

The time was close to evening. Muhammad and Abu Bakr began to ready their

beasts to resume their ride. Suraqah was still as far from them as the eye could see.

Exhausted with fatigue from all its galloping, Suraqah's horse fell twice on the way.

When the travelers came into his sight, and he realized he could now capture or kill

them, Suraqah forgot that his horse had fallen twice already. He spurred it once

more and hurried it toward them. The horse fell to the ground with its rider. At this

turn, Suraqah felt very apprehensive that the gods were against the execution of his

scheme and that he might be exposing himself to grave danger should he spur his

horse forward for the fourth time. After stopping, he called to the travelers: "I am

Suraqah ibn Ju'shum. Wait for me so that I may talk to you. By God, I shall do you

neither harm or injury." When he arrived, he asked Muhammad to write him a note

with which to prove his present encounter. At the Prophet's command, Abu Bakr

wrote a note to this effect which Suraqah took and returned home. Made contrite by

his unfortunate venture, he spread the news that the riders were not Muhammad

and his party at all!