Truth & Sincerity Manifested During the Migration
Then, in another instance, the Promised Messiah (as) says:
“In short, the truth and sincerity of Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) manifested at a time when the Holy Prophet (sa) was surrounded by his assailants. Although some of them were of the opinion that he should merely be banished from Mecca, most of them actually sought to put an end to his life. It was at that hour that Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) demonstrated his sincerity and loyalty, which will shine as an example until the end of time. In this trying hour, the very selection of the Holy Prophet (sa) is an outstanding argument in favour of the truthfulness and supreme loyalty of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) […] This is also the case with the selection of the Holy Prophet (sa). At that time, the Holy Prophet (sa) had 70 or 80 companions, and even Hazrat Ali (ra) was with him, but from all of these companions, the Holy Prophet (sa) chose none other than Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra). What is the secret in this?
“The fact is that a prophet sees through the eye of God Almighty, and his insight comes from God Almighty. Therefore, Allah the Almighty had informed the Holy Prophet (sa), by means of vision and revelation that the best and most appropriate person for this task was Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra). Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) accompanied the Holy Prophet (sa) in this difficult hour. This was a time of perilous trial. When a similar time dawned upon the Messiah (as), his disciples abandoned him and fled, and one of them even stood before him and cursed him. But each and every one of the noble companions of the Holy Prophet (sa) demonstrated complete loyalty. Therefore, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) stood by the Holy Prophet (sa) and gave him full support, and when they reached a cave known as the Cave of Thaur, they both took refuge in the cave. The evil disbelievers who had conspired to harm the Holy Prophet (sa) were led to this cave in their search. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) submitted to the Holy Prophet (sa), ‘Now, these people are upon us, and if any one of them looks down even slightly, they will be able to see us, and we shall be apprehended.’ At that time, the Holy Prophet (sa) said:
لَا تَحۡزَنۡ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَنَا
“Meaning, ‘Do not fear in the least, for Allah the Almighty is with us.’ Reflect on these words. The Holy Prophet (sa), joins Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) with himself and states:
اِنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَنَا
“[‘Verily, Allah is with us.’] The Arabic words ma‘ana [with us] refer to both of them, i.e. ‘with you and I.’ Allah the Almighty placed the Holy Prophet (sa) on one side and Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) on the other. At that time, both of them were in a state of trial. For it was at this point in time when the foundation of Islam was either going to be secured or brought to an end. The enemy stood at the mouth of the cave and various opinions were being voiced. Some said that the cave ought to be searched because the footprints ended at the cave, while others pointed out that it was impossible for a person to pass through here and enter the cave as a spider had woven a web at the mouth of the cave and a pigeon had laid its eggs. These discussions could be heard from within the cave and the Holy Prophet (sa) could also hear them clearly. In this state of affairs, the enemy had come to kill them both and had set out with immense vigour to complete their task, but just observe the remarkable courage of the Holy Prophet (sa), who says to his true friend:
لَا تَحۡزَنۡ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ مَعَنَا
“[‘Grieve not, for Allah is with us.’] These words evidently demonstrate that the Holy Prophet (sa) said the aforementioned phrase with his tongue because such words could only be expressed with a voice and not through sign language. The enemy stood outside consulting amongst themselves, and inside the cave, both servant and master are also engaged in discourse. The Holy Prophet (sa) had no concern that the enemy would hear his voice and this is proof of his remarkable faith and his insight into Allah the Almighty. It demonstrates that he had full trust in the promises of God Almighty. This one example alone is enough to show the bravery of the Holy Prophet (sa).”
(Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp. 376-278)
Then, in another instance, the Promised Messiah (as) stated:
“An extraordinary manifestation that God, the Glorious, exhibited for safeguarding His immaculate Prophet (sa) was that though his enemies arrived outside the cave in which the Holy Prophet (sa) was hidden with his companion, they could not see him, for God Almighty had sent a pair of pigeons which built a nest the same night at the entrance of the cave and also laid their eggs there, and by divine command, a spider also wove its web at the place, whereby the enemies of the Prophet (sa) became baffled and returned frustrated.”
(Surma Chashma-e-Arya, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 2, p. 66, footnote)