One hot afternoon in Makkah, when the streets were empty and everyone was resting from the sun, there came a knock at Abu Bakr's door. It was the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, with his face wrapped in his turban. He had wonderful news: Allah had given him permission to leave Makkah, where people were being unkind to the believers, and travel to a new city called Madinah. And he had chosen Abu Bakr (radiyallahu anhu) to travel with him.
Abu Bakr was so happy that he cried. His young daughter Aisha (radiyallahu anha) was there, and she said she never knew until that day that a person could weep for joy.
Abu Bakr had secretly been getting two camels ready for months, feeding them well for the long desert road. He offered the best one to the Prophet ﷺ as a gift. But the Prophet ﷺ said: only if I pay its price. He wanted to make this special journey with his own camel, bought fairly, because that was his beautiful way.
Abu Bakr's daughter Asma packed food for the road, but oh no, there was nothing to tie the food bag with! So quick-thinking Asma took off her own belt, tore it in two, and used half to tie the bag. From that day on, people called her the lady of the two belts.
Now, some men in Makkah did not want the Prophet ﷺ to leave, and they went searching for the two travelers. So the friends did something clever. Instead of riding north toward Madinah, they went south, the opposite way, and climbed up to a small hidden cave in a mountain called Thawr. It was a tiny cave, just a crack in the rock, barely big enough for two.
For three days and nights they stayed hidden. Abu Bakr's son quietly brought them food and news from the city. A shepherd walked his sheep over their footprints so the sand would keep their secret.
But then, one day, the searchers climbed the mountain. Their footsteps came closer. And closer. From inside the cave, Abu Bakr could see their sandals, right there, at the mouth of the cave! He whispered: if one of them looks down at his feet, he will see us. His heart was beating fast, not for himself, but for his friend.
And the Prophet ﷺ answered, calm as calm can be: what do you think of two, when Allah is the third of them? Allah was with them in that little cave. And the men looked here, and looked there, and never looked down. Then they turned around and went home. The two friends were safe.
On the road to Madinah, a desert rider named Suraqa chased after them, hoping for a big reward. But each time he came close, his horse stumbled and sank in the sand, once, twice, three times! Suraqa understood then that this man was protected by Allah, and he called out for peace instead. The Prophet ﷺ forgave him and let him go home, and years later Suraqa became a believer too.
And so the two friends reached Madinah at last, where the people were waiting to welcome them with open arms and open homes.
So tonight, if you ever feel worried, remember the little cave, and remember the calm, gentle words of the Prophet ﷺ: do not grieve, Allah is with us.