THE SECOND MIGRATION (PART THREE)
Dhatu n-Nitaqayn used her girdle to tie the mouth of the wallet
والصَّلَاةُ والسَّلاَمُ عَلَى سَيّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ أَشْرَفِ اْلمُرْسَلِيْنَ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ الطَّيّبِيْنَ الطَّاهِرِيْن
When the beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ arrived at the house of ‘Abu Bakr As-Siddiq in the early afternoon, he declared: "Allah has permitted me to emigrate." Overjoyed at the prospect of accompanying the Prophet on this blessed journey, ‘Abu Bakr exclaimed, "Companionship, O Messenger of Allah!" expressing his desire to join him on the migration.
‘Abu Bakr then offered, "I have two camels; I will give you one of them." The Prophet, responded: "Only for a price," indicating his intent to purchase the camel from ‘Abu Bakr.
In preparation for the journey, Lady ^A’ishah recounted how they prepared provisions for the Prophet and her father. They placed travel food into a leather container. ‘Asma', the daughter of ‘Abu Bakr and sister of ^A’ishah, took a piece of her girdle—a torn cloth used to secure her waist—and used it to tie the mouth of the wallet. Thus, ‘Asma' earned the nickname "Dhatu n-Nitaqayn" meaning "the one with the two girdles."
Under the cloak of night, ‘Abu Bakr emerged from his home alongside the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, moving towards a wicket in ‘Abu Bakr's house. They ventured forth together, making their way to the cave of Thawr, near Mecca. Upon reaching the cave, ‘Abu Bakr, according to some narrations, entered first, ensuring it was free from harm and mindful of the potential dangers lurking within, such as snakes, wild animals, and scorpions. Once safely inside, a spider spun its web at the entrance, and a dove laid an egg, creating the illusion that the cave had long been undisturbed.
Meanwhile, the Quraysh, determined to capture the Prophet, proclaimed: "Who among you will show us the way to Muhammad for a reward of one hundred camels?" When they arrived at the cave and beheld the undisturbed web and the dove's nest, they were convinced that no one had entered saying: "There is nothing in the cave!" Therefore, they departed.
From within, ‘Abu Bakr observed the feet of the Quraysh and their camels. He said: "O Messenger of Allah if one of them looks down at his feet, he will see us." The Prophet replied: "What do you think, O ‘Abu Bakr, of two when Allah is their third in support and preservation?"
^Amir ibnu Fuhayrah, the slave of ‘Abu Bakr, would discreetly visit them under the cloak of night before returning to his people. Similarly, ‘Asma' bintu ‘Abi Bakr would bring them provisions under the cover of darkness, sufficient to sustain them. They remained in the cave for three nights. During this time, ^Abdu l-Lah ibnu ‘Abi Bakr visited them to relay the discussions he had heard from the Quraysh.
