The Prophet Muhammad A simple Guide to his Life
The Policy of the Prophet
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An incident connected with the Hijrah provides a
pertinent example. When Umar bin Al Khattab
migrated from Makkah to Madinah, he took his
sword and bow and arrows and came to the Kabah.
The Quraysh leaders were seated there in the
courtyard. First he circumambulated the Kabah,
then said two
rakah
of prayer. Finally he
approached the Quraysh leaders and said to them:
“Whoever wants his wife to become a widow and
his children to become orphans should come and
see me outside the city.” (The Quraysh were
persecuting everyone, particularly those who were
migrating to Madinah, that was why Umar threw
down this challenge to them.) Then Umar set off for
Madinah and none of them followed him.
(Hayat As
Sahabah,
1/541)
But, unlike Umar bin AI-Khattab, the Prophet
migrated secretly. As we know, in the thirteenth
year of the Makkan period, the Quraysh leaders met
at Dar-al-Nadwah (Meeting Hall) to decide upon
the steps to be taken to remove him from their path.
The following night, youths wielding swords
surrounded his house. But the Prophet, to avoid
any confrontation, had quietly left the place at night
