As I returned to reality, I felt an unexpected sense of tranquillity. All my worries and uneasiness had vanished, replaced by a deep sense of peace.
A few weeks ago, I strolled through my in-laws’ dense apple orchard, located just a few kilometres from my residence, my mind burdened with negative thoughts. The apple harvest had already concluded, and the trees were bare of any fruit. My father-in-law had hired a well-known local pruner who was preparing to prune the trees. With a faint glimmer of hope of finding any unharvested red delicacies, I ventured deep into the orchard.
As my eyes scanned the branches, I chanced upon a spider meticulously spinning a web from the proteinaceous silk extruding from its spinnerets. The spider was indeed a clever architect, suspending its thin and intricately woven masterpiece between the neighbouring branches of two nearby trees. While the spider may have woven its creation to snare its prey, create a resting place for its young, or shelter itself from predators, for me, the web served a different purpose.
As I watched the eight-limbed arthropod weaving its intricate trap, transfixed and mesmerized by its artistry, I felt as though I was transported across centuries to a different era. I found myself standing a few kilometres from the holy city of Makkah, in front of a cave named after the mountain—Ghaar-e-Soor.
The cave resonated with amazingly beautiful voices that moved my inner soul and captivated my heart. I drew closer to the cave and strained my ears to listen. Who possessed such unparalleled beauty in their voice? What message did they convey? These questions intrigued me.
As I listened intently, the words became clearer: “Oh Prophet of Allah! If some of them lower their sight, they will see us.” “Silence, Abu Bakr! What do you think of those with whom the third is Allah?”
Ah, it was our Beloved Prophet, the Mohsin-e-Insaniyat, the Seal of the Prophets, Muhammad Rasoolullah (SAW), and his close companion, the leader of the truthful, Sideeq-e-Akbar, Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA). I had found the answer to my first question, but new questions arose. What were they doing in the cave? Who were they hiding from?
I was eager to knock on the mouth of the cave, enter, kiss their feet and ask my questions. But my inner self stopped me. It resonated with several thoughts: Was I worthy of standing in front of the most noble fugitives? Did I qualify, even in the slightest, to call myself a true Ummati of the Beloved Prophet? What if he (SAW) pointed out my wrongdoings? As I reflected on my deeds, I found them riddled with dark spots. The feeling of shame reduced me to a deeply humble and contrite state.
Overwhelmed with reverence, I lacked the courage to face my Beloved Prophet (SAW). Silently, I retreated, but not before casting one last look at the abode of the most loved and noble fugitives in history. I beheld the mouth of the cave, covered by a spider web, with the proud spider lying beside it like a triumphant soldier after a hard-fought battle.
Perplexed and moved by the experience, I wandered from place to place, city to city, and land to land, seeking answers. Luckily, my journey brought me to Baghdad, the city of Iraq, where I met one of the most venerated intellectual figures in Islamic history, Imam Ahmad (May Allah be pleased with him).
After exchanging greetings, I shared my experience and pleaded for answers. Imam Ahmad listened to me patiently, offered me a glass of water, and then handed me a book, politely asking me to read the hadith pertaining to the Prophet’s (SAW) overnight stay at Ghaar-e-Soor.
In that particular hadith, Imam Ahmad narrated from Ibn Abbas (RA): One night in Makkah, the Quraysh gathered to plot against Prophet Muhammad (SAW) due to his rising popularity and the daily influx of new followers into Islam. Some suggested imprisoning him, others advocated for his execution or exile. However, Allah informed the Prophet (SAW) of their devilish plans.
That night, on the Prophet’s (SAW) instructions, Hazrat Ali (RA) slept in his bed while the Prophet (SAW), accompanied by his sincerest companion, Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA), set out southwards. They climbed the lofty peak of Jabl-e-Soor and took refuge in a cave.
The next morning, the disbelievers attacked Hazrat Ali (RA), mistaking him for the Prophet (SAW). Upon realising their error, they launched an intense search for the Prophet, scouring the mountain and passing by the cave. But seeing a spider’s web covering the cave’s entrance, they assumed no one had entered and abandoned their search. The Prophet (SAW) and his companion remained safe in the cave for three nights—a divine miracle indeed.
I closed the book, satisfied with the answers I had sought. Now it was time to reflect on the episode of Ghaar-e-Soor. It taught me valuable lessons, such as having unwavering faith in Allah, no matter the circumstances. Allah says in the Quran, “Indeed, with hardship comes ease.”
It also reminded me of the virtue of patience, as Allah promises, “Innallaha ma’as sabireen”—”Surely, Allah is with those who are patient.” Furthermore, it reinforced the importance of seeking guidance, help, and protection from Allah alone. Regarding the Prophet’s (SAW) safe escape, Allah says in the Quran (36:9): “And We have put a barrier before them and a barrier behind them, and We have covered them up so that they cannot see.”
Just as Allah protected His Prophet (SAW) and his companion from the Quraysh by ordering a spider to weave a web, He is there for all of us. With firm belief in Him, we can overcome the most challenging situations in life. He will guide us and provide solutions.
Suddenly, a chilly breeze swept through the orchard, rustling the leaves and shaking the branches. A nearby branch brushed against my shoulder, pulling me back to the present. As I returned to reality, I felt an unexpected sense of tranquillity. All my worries and uneasiness had vanished, replaced by a deep sense of peace.
I took a moment to express my gratitude to Allah for the countless blessings He had bestowed upon me. With a heart full of joy and appreciation, I made my way back home.
The writer is a teacher
Bashir Ahmad Dar
da**************@***il.com