The Plot to Assassinate
They seized the reins of his camel and said:
«“O Abu Salamah! You are free to decide what you want regarding yourself, but Umm Salamah is our daughter. We cannot tolerate you taking her with you.”»
Saying this, they pulled the reins of Umm Salamah’s camel.
At that very moment, the members of Abu Salamah’s family arrived and said:
«“The son of Abu Salamah is a child of our family. Since you have taken your daughter away from him, we will not allow our child to go with him either.”»
Saying this, they took the child away.
Thus, these oppressive people separated Hazrat Abu Salamah رضي الله عنه from his wife and child.
Abu Salamah رضي الله عنه reached Madinah alone.
Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها, grieving over being separated from her husband and child, would go outside Makkah early every morning and sit on the road leading towards Madinah, weeping.
One day, one of her relatives passed by. When he saw her crying, he felt compassion for her.
He went to the people of his tribe and said:
«“Do you not have any mercy for this poor woman? You have separated her from her husband and child. At least have some consideration for her.”»
Eventually, their hearts softened, and they allowed Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها to leave.
When Abu Salamah’s relatives heard this news, they returned the child to Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها and gave her permission to take the child to Madinah.
Thus, she began her journey to Madinah alone.
On the way, she met Hazrat ‘Uthman ibn Talhah رضي الله عنه. At that time, he had not yet accepted Islam and was the custodian of the key of the Kaaba. He accepted Islam on the occasion of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.
He accompanied her camel in order to protect her throughout the journey until he brought her safely to Quba.
Then Hazrat ‘Uthman ibn Talhah رضي الله عنه took his leave, saying:
«“Your husband is here.”»
In this way, Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها reached Madinah.
She was the first female emigrant to arrive in Madinah without her husband.
Because of the great favor Hazrat ‘Uthman ibn Talhah رضي الله عنه had done for her by bringing her safely to Madinah, she would say:
«“I have never found anyone more noble and righteous than ‘Uthman ibn Talhah.”»
After this, the Muslims began arriving in Madinah from Makkah.
The Companions رضي الله عنهم continued to arrive one after another.
The Ansari Muslims would accommodate them in their homes and take care of their needs.
Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه and ‘Ayyash ibn Abi Rabi‘ah رضي الله عنه reached Madinah with a group of twenty people.
The migration of Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنه was remarkable because he did not leave Makkah secretly. Rather, he openly announced his departure.
First, he performed Tawaf around the Kaaba. Then he offered two rak‘ahs at Maqam Ibrahim.
After that, he said to the polytheists:
«“Whoever wishes to make his children orphans, his wife a widow, or leave his mother’s lap empty—let him try to stop me from leaving.”»
When all of Quraysh heard this announcement, they were completely stunned.
No one dared to follow him.
He departed with great dignity in front of them all.
Hazrat Abu Bakr al-Siddiq رضي الله عنه was also preparing to migrate.
Before the migration, he used to wish that he could migrate together with the Noble Prophet ﷺ.
He had made preparations for his departure.
One day, the Noble Prophet ﷺ said to him:
«“Abu Bakr! Do not hurry. I hope that I too will soon be granted permission.”»
Therefore, Hazrat Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه stayed behind.
He had prepared two she-camels for the journey. He had purchased them for eight hundred dirhams and had been feeding and caring for them for four months.
Meanwhile, when the polytheists saw that the Muslims were continuously migrating to Madinah, and that the people of Madinah were a powerful and warlike people, they became afraid.
They feared that the Muslims would continue to grow stronger in Madinah and that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ might also go there and join the Ansar, preparing to fight against them.
Therefore, they all gathered together and began considering what course of action they should take.
The Quraysh gathered in Dar al-Nadwah.
Dar al-Nadwah was their place for consultation. It was the first substantial building constructed in Makkah.
Satan also took part in this consultation.
He came in human form, appearing as an old man wearing a green cloak.
He stopped at the door.
Seeing him, the people asked:
«“Who are you, respected elder?”»
He replied:
«“I am a leader from Najd. I heard about the purpose for which you have gathered here, so I have come to listen to your discussion and, if possible, offer some useful advice.”»
The Quraysh therefore invited him inside.
They began their consultation.
One of them said:
«“You have already seen the situation of this man—the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. By Allah! There is now a constant danger that he may join his new and unfamiliar supporters and attack us. Therefore, discuss the matter and decide upon one course of action concerning him.”»
A man present there, Abu al-Bakhtari ibn Hisham, said:
«“Put him in chains and imprison him in a room. Then wait for some time, so that he may meet the same fate as poets like him have met, and eventually die like them.”»
Satan said:
«“Absolutely not! This opinion is completely wrong. The news will reach his companions, and they will attack you and rescue their companion. Then you will regret it. Therefore, think of another plan.”»
A debate then began among them.
Al-Aswad ibn Rabi‘ah said:
«“Let us expel him from here and send him into exile. Then he can go wherever he wishes.”»
The man from Najd—that is, Satan—said:
«“This opinion is also wrong. Do you not see how beautiful and sweet his words are? He wins people’s hearts by reciting his message to them. By Allah! If you exile him, you will never have peace. Wherever he goes, he will win people’s hearts. Then he will attack you and take away all your leadership and authority. Therefore, think of something else.”»
Then Abu Jahl said:
«“I have only one opinion, and there can be no better opinion than this.”»
They asked:
«“And what is it?”»
Abu Jahl said:
«“Take one brave and powerful young man from every family and every tribe. Give each of them a sword. Send all of them to attack Muhammad ﷺ early in the morning. They should all strike him together with their swords and kill him.»
«“In this way, all the tribes will become involved in his killing. Therefore, his family will not have enough strength to fight all of them. They will consequently agree to accept blood money—that is, financial compensation—and we will pay it to them.”»
Satan was pleased and said:
«“Yes! This is an excellent plan. In my opinion, there can be no better plan than this.”»
Everyone therefore approved this proposal.
Allah Almighty immediately sent Jibril عليه السلام to the Noble Prophet ﷺ.
Jibril عليه السلام said:
«“Do not sleep tonight on the bed on which you usually sleep.”»
He then informed him of the plot of the polytheists.
Allah Almighty says in Surah al-Anfal, verse 30:
«“And remember when the disbelievers were plotting against you, whether to imprison you, kill you, or expel you. They were planning, and Allah was planning, and Allah is the best of planners.”»
Thus, when one-third of the night had passed, a group of polytheists reached the house of the Noble Prophet ﷺ and concealed themselves there.
They waited for him to fall asleep so that they could all attack him at once.
The number of these disbelievers was one hundred.