so they slipped away in successive groups. The first to leave, according to one account, was Abū Salamah ibn Abd al-Asad al-Makhzūmī; according to another, it was Musab ibn Umayr. They came to the Ansār in their homes, and the Ansār sheltered and supported them. Islam spread throughout Medina.

Then Allah permitted His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, to emigrate. He left Mecca on a Monday in Rabī al-Awwal—or, according to another account, in Safar—at the age of fifty-three. With him were Abū Bakr al-Siddīq, Āmir ibn Fuhayrah, Abū Bakr’s client, and their guide, Abd Allāh ibn al-Urayqit al-Laythī. He and Abū Bakr entered the cave of Thawr and remained (1) there for three days. They then took the coastal route.

When they reached Medina, on Monday, the twelfth of Rabī al-Awwal—though other dates have been reported—he stopped (2) at Qubā, in the upper part of Medina, among Banū Amr ibn Awf. He stayed with Kulthūm ibn al-Hidm; another account says that he stayed with Sad ibn Khaythamah, but the first is better known. He remained among them for fourteen days and founded the mosque of Qubā.

He then set out on Friday. The time for Friday prayer came while he was among Banū Sālim, so he led them in the Friday prayer together with the Muslims accompanying him, who numbered one hundred.

He then mounted his she-camel and continued on his way. People kept asking him to stay with them and taking hold of the camel’s lead rope (3). He would say, “Let her go her way, for she is under command” (4).