THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME WITH PROPHET MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH 024 THE MIGRATION OF THE PROPHET by Khadeijah A. Stephens Copyright © 1984-2012 by Allah.com Muhammad.com Mosque.com Khadeijah A. Stephens Bismillah Ir Rahman Ir Raheem THE MIGRATION OF THE PROPHET The Beginning of the Migration With the exception of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and two of his close Companions, Ali and Abu Bakr and his family, only those Muslims stricken by illness or forcefully detained by the Koraysh remained in Mecca. The reason the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) had remained behind was that he awaited the sending down of the permission of Allah to migrate, for he never did anything of significance without first receiving an instruction from Allah. On several occasions Abu Bakr had asked the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) for permission to migrate with his family, but each time the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) would say, "Don't be in such a hurry, Abu Bakr, perhaps Allah will provide a traveling companion for you." So Abu Bakr waited obediently, and fed two camels well, ever hopeful that he would be permitted to migrate with the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) himself. Although the Koraysh hated having Muslims in their midst, they became increasingly anxious over the matter of their migration to Yathrib, because they realized they would never migrate there unless they had the support of many of its citizens. Upon the noon of that same day of the failed plot, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) made his way to the house of his dear companion, Abu Bakr. It was unusual for him to visit Abu Bakr at that time of day so instinctively he knew there must be an important reason for his visit. After the exchange of greetings the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) informed him that Allah had given him permission to migrate from Mecca. Abu Bakr asked whether they were to migrate together and when the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) told him they were, he was so overcome with joy that tears rolled down his cheeks. Abu Bakr had hoped that Allah would permit him to accompany the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) so in anticipation he had purchased two sturdy camels and set aside some provisions for the journey. It was now 27th of Safar, (12th September 622 CE) fourteen years after the Prophethood, that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and Abu Bakr quietly left Abu Bakr’s house and made their way towards Mount Thawr which lies to the south of Mecca in the opposite direction to Yathrib. Abu Bakr asked his shepherd Aamir, Fuhayrah’ son, whom he freed from service sometime before, to follow behind them with a flock of sheep so that their tracks would be obliterated. A little while after they had set out on their migration the Prophet looked back is sadness towards his beloved City and said, "Upon all the earth of Allah, you are the dearest place to me and the dearest to Allah. Had my people not driven me from you, I would not have left you." The Excruciating Sting There were many caves in Mount Thawr and when they discovered one suitable, Abu Bakr had entered first on that eventful first day of the migration. However, as he entered he noticed there were several holes in both its walls and floor and feared they might be home to snakes or other poisonous insects, or even reptiles, so he looked around the cave and found some stones to plug them. He had almost finished plugging them when he ran out of stones. He searched for some more but there were none to be found so he tore pieces of cloth from his garment and pushed them deep down into the holes. When the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) entered he lay down and rested his head upon Abu Bakr's lap and slept. Only one hole remained unplugged, as there had be insufficient cloth with which to plug it so Abu Bakr lodged his elbow in it to seal the hole. As the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) slept, an insect that had been hiding in that very hole stung Abu Bakr. The sting was extremely painful, yet Abu Bakr, whose manners where of such high quality, did not move, nor yet did he cry out in pain as he feared he might disturb the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) whilst he slept. The pain increased as the flesh around the sting became red and very swollen as the poison took effect. At last a tear fell from Abu Bakr's eye onto the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) awoke. When he saw the very pained expression on his face he was troubled and asked what ailed him, whereupon Abu Bakr told him of the insect’s sting. Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) supplicated and treated the sting with his salvia and breath, and immediately both the pain and swelling left him -- Abu Bakr had been blessed with a miraculous cure. The Reaction of the Koraysh The Koraysh were deeply angered that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) had slipped through their fingers. They searched Mecca from beginning to end but there was no sign of him, nor could anyone throw light upon his whereabouts and set up road blocks leading in and out of Mecca. Abu Bakr had left his daughters Ayesha, who was now seven years old, and her elder sister Asma with his wife Umm Ruman in Mecca. Eventually several members of the Koraysh, including Abu Jahl, suspected that Abu Bakr might have accompanied the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), so they went to his house to demand his whereabouts. Asma answered the door and when Abu Jahl asked her where her father was she swore by Allah she did not know where he was. Outraged, Abu Jahl struck her with such force that her earring flew off. Abu Jahl and his companions failed to extract the information they sought and so they left in the hope that they would be more successful elsewhere. In the meantime, the Koraysh chieftains offered a substantial reward of no less than one hundred camels for the Prophet’s (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) capture. The lure of owning such a herd encouraged many parties to set off on the road to Yathrib in search of him. Abdullah, Abu Bakr’s son visited the cave of Mount Thawr each night bringing fresh supplies and slipped away before dawn so as not be spotted, and Aamir, the shepherd would also slip away undetected to Mount Thawr taking with him two goats to supply the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and Abu Bakr with nourishing milk. A Change of Direction By now the search parties had exhausted the roads leading to Yathrib and they started to look in other directions, so it wasn't surprising that one such party decided to search the caves of Mount Thawr. As the Koraysh drew near to the cave the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and Abu Bakr saw their approach from a distance and soon the shouts and trampling of footsteps could be heard as they climbed the mountain and grew nearer and nearer. Soon, footsteps could be heard on the ledge directly above the cave. Abu Bakr became alarmed at the thought of being discovered and whispered to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), "If they look under their feet they will see us!" In his gentle, reassuring manner, Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) consoled him, saying, "What do you think of two people who have Allah with them as their third?" When Abu Bakr heard these words peace descended upon him and his fear vanished. Allah says: When the two were in the cave, he said to his companion, 'Do not sorrow, Allah is with us.' Then Allah caused His tranquility (sechina) to descend upon him and supported him with legions (of angels) you did not see, and He made the word of the unbelievers the lowest, and the Word of Allah is the highest. Allah is Mighty, Wise". Koran 9:40. Shortly after, one of the search party noticed the cave underneath the ledge on which he was standing. He peered over to take a better look and as he did, he noticed a very large spider's web covering the entrance to the cave, and thought it would be a complete waste of time and effort to climb down to check the cave. After all, he thought, if there had been someone in the cave the cobweb would have been broken. The bounty hunters agreed and left not knowing how close they had been to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and his Companion. Two days had now passed but this time when Abdullah returned to the cave he brought news of the reward that had been offered. Abu Bakr then told his son that the next time he came, he should bring Abdullah, Uraiquit’s son to guide them on to Yathrib and that they should also bring enough provisions for the journey and their camels. Although Abdullah, Uraiquit’s son had not yet embraced Islam, Abu Bakr knew him to be not only reliable, but trustworthy and was confident he would never betray them. On the next visit, Abdullah and his sister Asma, who had prepared food for the journey to Yathrib tore her belt into two and tied the bundles of food together with it, from that time onward she was affectionately called Dhat-un-Nitaqain, meaning owner of the two belts! Abdullah and Asma were accompanied by Uraqiquit’s son and Aamir, the shepherd, who this time came without his flock, and together they made their way with the camels to the cave where they were awaited. When they reached the mountain, Abdullah and his companions waited for the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and Abu Bakr to descend its slope. And so the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), Abu Bakr, Aamir the shepherd, and their guide prepared themselves to set out on the second stage of their migration to Yathrib, soon to be renamed Medina, whilst Abu Bakr’s children returned in safety to Mecca. When Abdullah arrived with the camels Abu Bakr offered the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) the finest of the camels, however on account of the importance of the occasion he declined his generosity saying, "I shall only ride a camel that belongs to me," so the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) bought it from Abu Bakr. In the past, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) had accepted several gifts from his good companion, but this occasion was different from that of the others. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) named his camel "Kaswa" and of all the camels he was to own, Kaswa was his favorite. The Journey to Yathrib It was now Rabi’ Al-Awwal (September 622 CE). Abdullah, Uraiquit's son, knew the trails of the desert well for he was a very experienced guide. It was decided it would be more prudent not to go straight on to Yathrib, but to take a seldom used, longer zigzagging route to Yathrib and so Abdullah led the holy party across the desert to the coastal route. The Encounter with Suraka, Malik's Son Suraka, Malik's son, who was the son of Ju'shum, from the tribe of Madlij was among the bounty hunters with high hopes of capturing the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and claiming the handsome reward of one hundred camels. One day as Suraka attended a tribal meeting, a fellow tribesman approached and told him that only a short while ago he had observed silhouettes in the distance riding by the beach and wondered if it might possibly be that of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and his companion. Suraka was quick to realize that the party was most probably that of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) however, he wanted to claim the reward for himself so he told the man he must be mistaken as he had seen a party from Mecca earlier on that day set off in the same direction. Suraka waited for an hour or two to pass then armed himself with his bow and arrows, ordered his slave to bring his horse round to the back of the house and set off toward the shore. When Suraka came within sight of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) Abu Bakr spotted him and cried out, "O Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), we have been discovered!" Whereupon the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) with calmness recited the verse "Do not sorrow, Allah is with us." 9:40 and supplicated to Allah for their safekeeping. Whereupon Suraka's horse stumbled and he fell from his horse. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) said to Abu Bakr, "The bounty hunter has reached us" and Abu Bakr started to cry. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) asked him why was crying. He replied, "It is not for myself that I cry, rather, I cry (that harm will come) for you." Whereupon the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), supplicated, "O Allah suffice us as You wish from him" and the legs of Suraka's horse sank deeply into a rock up to its belly. Suraka jumped off his horse and exclaimed, "O Muhammad, indeed, I know this is on account of you. Supplicate to Allah to save me from this status, by Allah, I will divert the bounty hunters and those who are behind me who seek you. Take this spear sheath of mine. You will pass by my camels and sheep in such-and-such a place. Take whatever you need from them." The Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) graciously declined his offer saying, "I have no need of it" and supplicated for Suraka who then prepared to ride off and return to his companions. Then, quite unexpectedly the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) asked, "How would you like to wear the robes of Chosroes (the King of Persia)?" Suraka was astonished and knew that the word of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) would surely be fulfilled, so he requested the statement be written down for him as a sign, and so Abu Bakr wrote it down on a piece of leather, which Suraka then placed in his quiver for safekeeping and returned to Mecca. Suraka kept his promised and told no one of their meeting. In the years that followed when the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was returning from the Encounter of Hunain, Suraka met him again and embraced Islam. Suraka's tribe opposed the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) for many years and in the years that followed when Khalid was sent to remedy the matter, Suraka interceded for them. The promise made to Suraka was fulfilled during the caliphate of Omar, when the possessions of Chosroes came into the keeping of Omar. Omar was an upright caliph and had heard Suraka’s story and so in obedience to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and in the honorable spirit of justice in Islam, Omar sent for Suraka and placed the crown of Persia upon his head, then gave him the golden regalia of Chosroes. Umm Mabad At a place called Kudayd the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and Abu Bakr met an elderly, hospitable lady named Umm Mabad Al-Khuza'iyah who would sit outside her tent and place a mat before her just in case a weary traveler would pass by and need some refreshment. As the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) approached he asked if she would sell them some milk and meat. She told him that her flock was out to pasture and she only had the goat by her which was, because of the drought, very weak and yielded hardly any milk. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) asked her if he may touch its udder and she was agreeable and as he did he mentioned the Name of Allah, massaged its udder, then miraculously the udder filled and an abundance of milk flowed from it. He offered the first cup to Umm Mabab, and it was only after those who had accompanied him had drunk from the milk that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) took some. After they had enjoyed the milk, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) massaged its udder again and filled the jug to the brim with milk and gave it to Umm Mabad. He thanked her for her hospitality and then they continued on their journey. Later, when Umm Mabab’s husband returned home with his emaciated herd of goats he was astonished to see his wife had a jug full of milk and asked her about it. She told him how a blessed man happened to pass by and related what had happened. Her husband asked her to describe the man whereupon she described not only his physical description, but also the way in which he spoke and his excellent manners. Abu Mabab exclaimed, "By Allah, this is the companion of the Koraysh, if I see him, I will follow him!" From that time onward the goat never ceased to produce milk in the morning and night, and lived up until the caliphate of Omar, the son of Khattab. Umm Mabad had no idea she had been in the company of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and had not been shy to observe his features; it is through her observations and another like her that we receive a detailed account of his physical description. Later, one day as Asma, Abu Bakr’s daughter was walking through the streets of Medina she and many others heard the voice of an unseen person who they thought must be a man from the jinn reciting poetry. The poetry described the location of two travelers and Asma was quick to realize that the poem referred to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and Abu Bakr on their migration and that they were safe, and well on their way to Yathrib. During their migration the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and his Companions came across a shepherd shepherding his master's flock. When they asked if they might buy some milk, the shepherd told them that none yielded milk and that the one that lambed the year before was now dry. Once again, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) gently took the sheep, milked it three times and the shepherd embraced Islam. The Meeting with Az-Zubair At sometime during their migration a small caravan was spotted traveling toward the holy party. However, there was no cause for alarm as it belonged to a party of Muslims under the leadership of Az-Zubair returning to Mecca with merchandise from Syria. Az-Zubair had broken his journey in Yathrib and told Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) that the news of his migration had already reached there and that the Muslims anxiously awaited his arrival. Before they parted company, Az-Zubair gave the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and Abu Bakr some new white clothes which they gratefully accepted. As they parted company, Az-Zubair told them that as soon as he had sold his merchandise in Mecca it was his intention to join them in Yathrib. The Reception in Quba Each morning at dawn after Fajr prayer, the believers of Quba, a suburb of Yathrib, would make their way to the lava mounds of Harra near the fertile oasis that marked the City limits and anxiously awaited the arrival of Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). There, they would stay until no shade was left to protect them from the harsh, relentless rays of the sun. It was now midday, Monday 8th Rabi'ul Awwal, (23rd September 622 CE) the sun had reached its height and the gathering had returned to the shelter of their homes when a Jew happened to observe the small party making its way to the lava mounds. The Jew had heard of the Prophet's expected arrival and called out loudly, "O children of Kayla, your luck has arrived!" There was much rejoicing as the believers rushed from their homes and raced back toward the lava mounds where they found the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) resting with Abu Bakr under the shade of a palm tree. As they approached the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), he smiled tenderly as the ladies and children burst into the song of welcoming they had composed in honor of the occasion: "The full moon has appeared before us from Thaniyyat, (the Place of Farewell). Thanking is obligated upon us whenever an inviter of Allah invites." Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), was greatly moved by their sincere welcome and exhorted his new Companions, saying, "O people, greet one another with peace, feed the hungry; honor the ties of kinship, pray when others sleep and you shall enter Paradise in peace." This simple, yet beautiful song of sincerity in praise and love of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was among the first to be composed and sung in his presence. It is important for all those who love Allah and His Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to realize that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) neither objected nor forbade such compositions and we would do well to remember the words of Allah that say: “Allah, and His angels praise and venerate the Prophet. Believers, praise and venerate him, and pronounce peace upon him in abundance.” Koran 33:56 One of the most famous poets during the lifetime of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was Hasan, Thabit’s son. His poetry extols and praises the virtues of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and is recited by the lovers of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to this very day. Such was the of acceptance of Hasan, Thabit son’s poetry by the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) that he requested Hasan’s seat to be raised in the Mosque so that everyone in the congregation would be able to hear and enjoy his compositions. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) also informed Hasan that the Arch Angel Gabriel would defend him continuously whilst he was defending Allah and His Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). Since that time and throughout the centuries, there have been many well-known Ihsan (Sufi) poets who continued in the same excellence. One such poet being Bosairi whose poetry touched the heart and soul of so many that it was printed in gold. Bosairi’s poem was commissioned to adorn the Rawdah of the Prophet’s Mosque during the time of the Turkish caliphate and remains there to this day on its walls extolling the virtues and nobility of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) despite the objection of the followers of Muhammad ibn Abd Al-Wahab and Ibn Taymia. In more recent times, the late Yusuf Ishmael of Nabahan who was the Mufti of Beirut, Lebanon wrote the most endearing poetry in praise and love of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). However, the Wahabi cult that emerged from the Najd in Saudi Arabia last century – one would do well to remember the historical fact reported earlier on in this book of how satan, disguised as a man from the Najd consulted with the unbelievers of Mecca as to the most effective way in which they should rid themselves of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). Also, the authentic warning of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) that the horn of the devil would appear from the Najd – proclaimed that Mufti Yusuf Ishmael, on account of his poetry praising the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) as being a heretic and he like so many other innocent, true lovers of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) became either hunted or martyred by the fanatical followers of Muhammad ibn Abd Al-Wahab and Ibn Taymia. Such has been the innovative influence of the followers of Muhammad ibn Abd Al-Wahab and Ibn Taymia that many innocent Muslims are now confused and fearful of reading these beautiful poems and have either overlooked or neglected the preceding verse. A Matter of Lodging The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) accepted the invitation to stay in the home of Kulthum, Al-Hadm’s son, the hospitable chief of the tribe of Amr son of Awf and there he stayed for four days. Whereas Abu Bakr, stayed either with Khubaub, Isaf's son from the children of Harith or with Kharija, Zayd's son. Ali Joins the Prophet at Quba A few days after the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) had set out on his migration, Ali was able to complete his task of returning all the valuables entrusted to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). He was now able to journey to Yathrib and it was there at Quba that he finally caught up with him, and was lodged in the house of Kulthum. The Final Stage of the Migration Word reached the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) that the people of the City of Yathrib anxiously awaited his arrival so he sent for his kinsmen from the tribe of Najjar, to escort himself and Abu Bakr on to Yathrib. However, before his departure four days later, the foundations for the Mosque of Quba were laid after Kaswa, the Prophet’s camel, led by an angel, showed the Muslims where it was to be built. In a valley belonging to the tribe of Salim, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) stopped and met other members of the Khazrajite tribe. Their combined numbers were approximately one hundred and it is there, in his new homeland, that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) led his followers in the first Friday congregational prayer. It was Friday 12th Rabi Al-Awwal (27th September 622 CE) that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) reached Yathrib where he received many invitations to come and live with his followers. However, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) graciously declined their kind offer, saying that he would build a mosque and settle wherever his camel sat down to rest because Kaswa, his camel, had been ordered and was being led by an angel. Kaswa wandered pass the homes of the children of Bayaa, and it was there that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was met by Ziyad, Labid's son and Farwa, Amr's son with more of their fellow tribesmen. They too offered the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) the same invitation but he declined graciously with the same reply. Invitations abounded from everywhere amongst whom were those of Sa'ad, Ubadah's son and Al Mundir, Aamir's son, and Sa'ad, Rabi's son and Kharika, Zayd's son, and Abdullah, Rawaha's son from the tribe of Harith, Al Khazraj's son but once again the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) declined and replied in the same manner. At last the camel came to a house the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) remembered well from his childhood days, it was the home of his maternal relatives, the children of Adiyy, Najjar's son. His maternal relatives invited him to stay with them, but he told them his camel was being led by an angel, and would take him to the place where he would stay. Kaswa wandered on towards the houses belonging to the children of Malik, a branch of the Najjar tribe. Amongst their tribesmen were Asad and Awf, two of the six men who pledged their allegiance to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) during the first pledging at Aqabah the year before. When Kaswa reached the buildings she wandered into a walled courtyard in which there were a few date palms, a place used to dry dates, an ancient grave yard and a building that had fallen into a state of disrepair. Asad had constructed a modest prayer area within the confines of the courtyard, and slowly Kaswa made her way to it, then knelt down. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) let go of the reins but did not dismount, then after a moment Kaswa got up and walked away. Kaswa had not gone far when she turned around and walked back to the place where she had knelt, and once again knelt down, but this time Kaswa settled herself upon the ground and Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) dismounted saying, "If Allah wills, this is the place." The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) then asked who owned the courtyard and Mu'adh, the brother of Awf told him that it belonged to Sahl and Suhayl, two orphaned boys fostered by Asad. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) smiled as he asked for someone to bring the boys to him, but they were already in the gathering and stepped forward. He asked the boys whether they would sell the courtyard to him, but they refused saying, "No, we will give it to you, O Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam)!" The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was touched by the generosity of the orphans but insisted that he should pay them for it and so with the help of Asad, a price was determined. During this time Abu Ayyoub Khalid Ansari, who lived nearby, unloaded the Prophet's baggage from Kaswa and had taken it into his house. Once again, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was besieged with invitations from his followers, but he declined, saying, "I must be where my baggage is." And so the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) stayed in the home of Abu Ayyoub Ansari who had been the first of his tribe to pledge allegiance during the second pledging at Aqabah. The girls of the household and the neighboring households were so happy to have the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) staying there that they went to meet him beating their drums singing: "We are the girls from the children of Al Najjar, Muhammad is the best neighbor!" Once again, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) smiled and as he listened to the song he told them, “Allah is my witness, I love you!” He neither objected nor forbade the girls to sing or beat their drums. From this it is learned that neither songs nor poetry praising the Prophet are forbidden. If it had been otherwise he would have stopped the singing or recitations immediately, but he did not do so, rather he encouraged them and honored the poets such as Ka’b, Zuhayr’s son who recited his poem praising the Prophet after the offering of the Fajr prayer in the Rawda of the Prophet’s Mosque. Abu Ayyoub's house had two storeys, so he and his wife moved upstairs leaving the ground floor for the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). Each meal time they would take the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) his food and ate whatever remained, putting their fingers in the imprint of the Prophet's in anticipation of receiving a blessing. The Prophet’s Migration 024 Back Cover Subtitles The Beginning of the Migration The Excruciating Sting The Reaction of the Koraysh A Change of Direction The Journey to Yathrib The Encounter with Suraka, Malik's Son Umm Mabad The Meeting with Az-Zubair The Reception in Quba A Matter of Lodging Ali Joins the Prophet at Quba The Final Stage of the Migration