"Do not hasten; perhaps Allah will grant you a companion" the Prophet ﷺ said

والصَّلَاةُ والسَّلاَمُ عَلَى سَيّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ أَشْرَفِ اْلمُرْسَلِيْنَ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ الطَّيّبِيْنَ الطَّاهِرِيْن

The migration of our Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Mecca to Medina was an event decreed by Allah Himself, imbued with profound lessons. This journey was neither a pursuit of comfort nor an act of fear, cowardice, or a withdrawal from the noble mission of spreading Islam.

It was not a bid for leadership, but a divine directive following the relentless persecution by the disbelievers in Mecca that had grown excruciating for the Prophet and his loyal companions.

Our Lord, the Almighty, says:

﴿ إِلَّا تَنصُرُوهُ فَقَدْ نَصَرَهُ اللَّهُ إِذْ أَخْرَجَهُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ثَانِيَ اثْنَيْنِ إِذْ هُمَا فِي الْغَارِ إِذْ يَقُولُ لِصَاحِبِهِ لَا تَحْزَنْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ مَعَنَا ۖ فَأَنزَلَ اللَّهُ سَكِينَتَهُ عَلَيْهِ وَأَيَّدَهُ بِجُنُودٍ لَّمْ تَرَوْهَا وَجَعَلَ كَلِمَةَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا السُّفْلَىٰ ۗ وَكَلِمَةُ اللَّهِ هِيَ الْعُلْيَا ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ﴾

This means: "If you do not aid him, Allah has already aided him when those who disbelieved had driven him out the second of two when they were in the cave and he said to his companion, 'Do not grieve; indeed Allah protects us.' And Allah sent down his tranquillity upon him [‘Abu Bakr] and supported him with soldiers you did not see and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest, while the word of Allah—that is the highest. And Allah is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." (suratu t-Tawbah: 40).

During the pilgrimage season in Mecca, a time when people from various regions congregated for trade, the Prophet ﷺ seized the opportunity to spread the message of Allah. He encountered a group of individuals from Medina, imparted to them the teachings of Islam, which they eagerly embraced. These new converts returned to their city, spreading the teachings of Islam, which soon took root and flourished in Medina.

As Islam gained momentum in Medina, the Prophet’s companions in Mecca continued to endure severe persecution at the hands of the disbelievers. They appealed to the Prophet for permission to leave the hostile environment of Mecca and migrate to Medina. The Prophet, compassionate and wise, granted them permission. Determined to safeguard their faith, they departed in groups, leaving behind their homes and possessions. Only the Prophet Muhammad, ‘Abu Bakr As-Siddiq, and ^Aliyy remained in Mecca, along with those who were imprisoned or too ill to travel.

The early migrants were received with open arms by the Ansar in Medina, who provided them with unwavering support and solidarity. Eventually, ‘Abu Bakr As-Siddiq expressed his desire to migrate. The Prophet ﷺ, however, advised him to wait, saying, "Do not hasten; perhaps Allah will grant you a companion." The Prophet continued to postpone ‘Abu Bakr’s migration, repeatedly reassuring him, "Do not hasten; perhaps Allah will give you a companion." until they finally migrated together.

Next: ‘Abu Jahl proposed to strike simultaneously with a single blow