The Pursuit of Suraqah bin Malik (Hazrat Musleh Mau’d’s (ra) Narration)

Whilst mentioning this incident, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) states:

“The Meccans announced a reward of 100 camels for whoever caught Muhammad (sa) or Abu Bakr (ra), dead or alive. The announcement was made among the tribes around Mecca. Tempted by the reward, Suraqah bin Malik, a Bedouin chief, started in pursuit of the party and ultimately sighted them on the road to Medina. Upon seeing the two mounted camels, he realised that it was the Holy Prophet (sa) and Abu Bakr (ra), he spurred on his horse after them.”

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) then mentioned the entire incident of Suraqah’s horse stumbling and falling and also him seeking an omen [by throwing arrows]. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) continues:

“Suraqah says: ‘The Holy Prophet (sa) rode with dignity, and did not look back. Abu Bakr (ra), however, looked back again and again evidently, out of fear for the safety of the Holy Prophet (sa).’”

After mentioning the details of the incident whereby Suraqah pursued after them, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) writes:

“Just as Suraqah was about to leave, the Holy Prophet (sa) received a revelation from Allah the Almighty about the future events and said, ‘Suraqah, how wilt thou feel with the gold bangles of the Chosroes on thy wrists?’ In utter astonishment, Suraqah asked, ‘Which Chosroes? Chosroes bin Hormizd, the Emperor of Iran?’ The Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘Yes’.

“Sixteen or seventeen years later, the prophecy was literally fulfilled. Suraqah accepted Islam and went to Medina. After the demise of the Holy Prophet (sa), first Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), and then Hazrat Umar (ra) became the Khalifas of Islam. The growing influence of Islam led the Iranians to attack the Muslims but, instead of defeating the Muslims, they themselves were defeated. The capital of Iran fell to the Muslims who captured its treasures, including the gold bangles which the Chosroes wore when he would sit on the royal throne.

“After becoming a Muslim, Suraqah used to relate the incident of the migration with great pride. Thus, the Muslims were well aware that the Holy Prophet (sa) had stated to him, ‘Suraqah, how wilt thou feel with the gold bangles of the Chosroes on thy wrists?’

“When the spoils of the war were placed before Hazrat Umar (ra), he saw the gold bangles of Chosroes and recalled that very incident. It was a time of weakness in which the Messenger (sa) of Allah was forced to leave his city and migrate to Medina, and the reason why Suraqah and other men raced their horses in pursuit of him was so that they could somehow bring him back to the Meccans alive and acquire the reward of 100 camels. It was in such a time that the Holy Prophet (sa) stated, ‘Suraqah, how wilt thou feel with the gold bangles of the Chosroes on thy wrists?’ How grand a prophecy this was and how manifestly clear was this news of the unseen. When Hazrat Umar (ra) saw the bangles of Chosroes before him, the power of God was visible before his eyes.

“He, therefore, sent for Suraqah. When Suraqah came, Hazrat Umar (ra) ordered him to put on the gold bangles. Suraqah stated, ‘O Khalifa of the Messenger (sa) of Allah! It is forbidden for Muslims to wear gold.’ Hazrat Umar (ra) stated, ‘This is true, but not for occasions such as this one. Allah the Almighty had shown the Holy Prophet (sa) that Chosroes’ gold bangles were on your wrists; therefore either you wear them now or I will punish you.’ Suraqah was only objecting out of deference to the Shariah; otherwise, he was as eager as anyone else to provide visible proof of the fulfilment of the great prophecy. Suraqah put on the bangles and Muslims witnessed with their very eyes the fulfilment of this grand prophecy.”

(Dibachah Tafsir-ul-Quran, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 20, pp. 224-226)

It is further mentioned that on his way back, Suraqah encountered an envoy that was sent to seek out the Holy Prophet (sa). They asked Suraqah for any information about the Holy Prophet (sa), but Suraqah not only refrained from telling them anything, he also spoke to them in a manner that caused them to halt their search.

(Mustafa Abd al-Wahid, Subul al-Huda wa al-Rashad fi Sirat Khair al-Ibad, Vol. 3, Jama Abwab al-Hijrah ila al-Medina [Beirut, Lebanon: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1993], p. 249)