Mount Thawr

As the persecution of early Muslims in Mecca continued, Muhammad asked his followers to emigrate to Medina, whose residents had pledged to protect Muhammad. The latter became increasingly vulnerable to the vengeance of the Meccan polytheists, who were alarmed by the new developments of the Muslims. In 622, The Meccan polytheists finally decided to assassinate Muhammad in his sleep.[1] After learning of this plot, Muhammad secretly fled from Mecca along with his close friend Abu Bakr, who bought two camels for this journey.[2] They both went towards the south, and eventually hid inside a cave, in the Mount Thawr. Meanwhile, in Mecca, the polytheists raided Muhammad's house to assassinate the latter, though they founded Ali instead of Muhammad. Enraged by this, the polytheists set a bounty of hundred camels for capturing Muhammad. This bounty was informed to Abu Bakr by his son Abd Allah ibn Abi Bakr, who provided shelter for his father and Muhammad, and also acted as a spy against the polytheists.[3]

Finding no trace of the refugees in the north, the polytheists headed towards the south, and stumbled upon the mount, where they discussed about finding the refugees. Abu Bakr became frightened, though Muhammad calmed him down.[3] The polytheists were about to enter the cave, but after seeing a huge spider in its web, they refused to enter and left the mount. Islamic tradition holds that the Quran's Surah Tawbah's fortieth verse was revealed to Muhammad around his time in cave.[4] Muhammad and Abu Bakr both resided in this cave for three days, after which they continued their journey to Medina.[2]

This event is revered among Muslims as miracles of God for Muhammad. It is particularly popular among Sunni Muslims, who honor Abu Bakr as greatest companion of Muhammad. Abu Bakr is also known as the Yār-e-Ghār ('Friend of the Cave') by Sunni Muslims.[4] In the Quran, Abu Bakr is referred as al-Sahib ('The Companion') for this event.[4]

• Peters, F. E. (1990). Judaism, Christianity, and Islam: The Classical Texts and Their Interpretation, Volume I: From Convenant to Community. Princeton University Press. ISBN 9780691020440.
• Eaton, Charles Le Gai (1985). Islam and the Destiny of Man. SUNY Press. ISBN 9781438401799.
• Walker, Adam Hani (2014). Muhammad in History, Thought, and Culture: An Encyclopedia of the Prophet of God [2 volumes]. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781610691789.
• Solovyov, Vladimir Sergeyevich (2007). Wozniuk, Vladimir (ed.). Enemies from the East: V. S. Soloviev on Paganism, Asian Civilizations, and Islam. Northwestern University Press. ISBN 9780810124172.