THE STORY OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD - The Pursuit of Suraqah When Rasulullah Moved to Yathrib

Prophet Muhammad came out of his house on the night 27th in the month Safar in the 14th year of prophethood. Then Prophet Muhammad and Abu Bakr hid in Thawr's cave for three days, avoiding the pursuit of the Quraish infidels. When the disbelievers of Quraysh had stopped looking for Prophet Muhammad around Thawr's cave, he and Abu Bakr began to come out of the cave and get ready to leave for Yathrib (Medina). Previously Prophet Muhammad had hired Abdullah ibn Uraiqith Al Laitsi as a guide. They had promised to meet in front of Thawr's cave after the next three nights carrying two mount animals in the form of camels for the Prophet and Abu Bakr. Abdullah also brought his own camel.

Meanwhile, Asma bint Abu Bakar was in charge of preparing food supplies for both. To bring two provisions of food she had to cut his belt in two, one to tie the food container and the other to use as a belt. So she is known as Dzatunnithaqain (Woman who has two belts).

After all the needs were ready, Rasulullah and Abu Bakr began to depart with Abdullah ibn Uraiqith as a guide who was still infidels but trusted by them. They set off on their own camels carrying food. Abu Bakr brought five thousand dirhams and that was all of his wealth. Because they knew that the Quraysh infidels were very persistent in following them, they took a path that was not common for people.

Initially they headed south, namely the direction to Yemen, then turned west towards the beach, until they reached an unusual place for people to pass, they turned north near the Red Sea, then passed a path that was not normally traveled by humans.

They walked carefully all day and night. They no longer care about difficulties and fatigue. It was better than they got the obstacle from the infidels of Quraish. Their enthusiasm is based on the purpose for which they want to achieve the path of God and the truth. Indeed, Rasulullah never doubted that God would help him, but also "do not throw yourself into disaster". God will help His servants as long as servants help themselves and help others.

On the other hand, the Quraish infidels will still give gifts to anyone who can find Rasulullah. Naturally, many infidels want to do it. And it turned out that someone had met the infidels of Quraysh with the news that he saw a group of camels consisting of three people on their way. The Quraish infidels believed that they were Rasulullah and his friends. At that time, Suraqah ibn Malik ibn Ju'syum was present and said, "Ah, they are the family of the Fulan", with the intention of deceiving the people around him. He really wanted to get a prize of one hundred camels. After being with the people there, he immediately went home and prepared weapons. He told someone to bring his horse to a valley so that when they left Mecca they would not be known by others. Then he rode his horse and immediately went in the direction the person called.

Meanwhile, Rasulullah and his two friends were resting to relieve fatigue. Then they will ride their camels, remembering that their distance from Suraqah is getting closer. And before, Suraqah had collapsed twice. But after Suraqah saw that he had almost succeeded in following them, then would bring them back to Mecca or kill them if they were defending themselves, he forgot about his horse which had fallen down twice, because it already felt close to success. But Suraqah's horse fell down once again very hard, so Suraqah slammed off the horse's back and fell staggering with her weapon. Then Suraqah considered that it was a bad sign and he believed that the "god" had forbidden him to pursue them. He thought that he would be in great danger if he continued to try for the fourth time.

So Suraqah stopped and said loudly, "I am Suraqah ibn Ju'syum. Wait, I want to talk. For God's sake, you don't doubt me. I will not do anything to harm you".

So Rasulullah and others stopped looking at him. Suraqah asked Rasulullah to write a letter to him as evidence for both parties. Then Abu Bakr wrote the letter at the request of Rasulullah on a bone or pottery and threw it at Suraqah.

Suraqah took the letter and went home. Then if someone pursues them, then Suraqah obscures the news, after he pursues them.

Rasulullah and friends continued their journey to Yathrib. They had stopped in Quba village and Rasulullah built a mosque there. Until finally they reached the city of Yathrib safely.

Reference:

·         Mubarakfuri, Syekh Shafiyyur-Rahman, and Haidir, Abdullah (Translator). 2005. Sejarah Hidup dan Perjuangan Rasulullah. Riyadh: Kantor Dakwah dan Bimbingan bagi Pendatang Al-Sulay.

·         Haekal, Muhammad Husain, and Audah, Ali (Translator). Sejarah Hidup Muhammad.