Emigration—From Makkah to Madinah

EMIGRATION—FROM MAKKAH TO MADINAH great opportunities for the Muslims, which only people of insight could perceive. Ibn ‘Asakir recorded some comments of Abu Bakr on the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. “It was the greatest Islamic victory,” he said, “though people were too shortsighted on that day to realize the secrets between Muhammad and his Lord. People are impatient, but God is not. He lets matters take their course until they reach his intended stage.” Realism brings success in this world, but people want instant success and are unwilling to go through the lengthy stages it takes to achieve it. After finishing with Khaybar, the Prophet began preparing for another campaign. The target he kept secret, not even telling Abu Bakr where they would be advancing. Only in Ramadan A.H. 8, when the Muslim army was directed to set out towards Makkah, did people realize where they were heading. So stealthy and discreet was their advance that they reached Marruz-Zahran without the Quraysh knowing that the Muslims were upon them. The Prophet had prayed before he set out that “the spies and informers of the Quraysh” should be restrained until the Muslims entered the city of Makkah. The Prophet went to great lengths to keep preparations for the advance on Makkah secret. He ordered Madinah to be cut off from the rest of Arabia: no one was allowed to enter or leave the city. A party under ‘Ali was sent to guard the roads leading to Madinah. They arrested Hatib ibn Abi Balta’ah’s messenger, who was taking a letter to the people