A JOURNEY OF EFFORT AND DIVINE HELP

 FAJR REMINDER: A JOURNEY OF EFFORT AND DIVINE HELP

By: Umm Affān

Muḥarram 19, 1448 (4-July-2026)

This morning, let us reflect on yet another profound lesson from the Hijrah of our beloved Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ) from Makkah to Madīnah. 

One of the greatest lessons we learn is this: when you sincerely do your part for Allāh's Sake, He will never abandon you. We are commanded to make every lawful effort, place our trust in Him, and leave the outcome in His Hands. Whoever strives to support the Cause of Allāh and relies upon Him will find that Allāh's Help comes in ways beyond imagination.

The Prophet (ﷺ) did not simply wait for miracles. He carefully planned the journey, took every practical means to protect himself and preserve Allāh's Religion, and then entrusted the result to his Lord. In return, Allāh protected him every step of the way. As Allāh (ﷻ) says: “O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allāh, He will help you, and make your foothold firm.” [Sūrah Muḥammad (47): 7]

Reflect on the remarkable story of Suraqah Ibn Mālik Ibn Ju'shum. The Quraysh were desperate to capture the Prophet (ﷺ) and his beloved companion, Abū Bakr (Raḍiyallāhu 'Anhu). They announced a huge reward of one hundred camels for anyone who could bring them back, dead or alive. Tempted by the reward, Suraqah, a highly skilled tracker, secretly followed their trail through the desert, convinced that he would soon claim the prize.

Al-Barā’ Ibn ‘Āzib (Raḍiyallāhu ‘Anhu) reported: Abū Bakr (Raḍiyallāhu 'Anhu) narrated, So we moved on and the people were coming after us but none of them caught up with us except Suraqah Ibn Mālik Ibn Ju'shum, who was riding a horse of his, I said: O Messenger of Allāh, someone has caught up with us. He said: ‘Do not be afraid, for Allāh is with us.’ When he got close to us, and there was no more between him and us than the length of a spear or two or three spears, I said: O Messenger of Allāh, this pursuer has caught up with us, and I wept. He said: ‘Why are you weeping?’ I said: I am not weeping for myself; rather I am weeping for you. The Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) prayed against him [the pursuer] and said: “O Allāh, protect us from him by whatever means You will.” [Musnad Aḥmad 3]

Then came the Help of Allāh. Each time Suraqah drew near, the front legs of his horse sank deep into the sand until its belly almost touched the ground, throwing him off. This happened three separate times, and a curtain of dust appeared before him. By then, Suraqah knew this was no ordinary event. He realized that no human effort could overcome the Protection of Allāh. He then pleaded:

“O Muḥammad, I know that this is because of you; pray to Allāh to save me from my predicament, and by Allāh I shall divert away from you any one who is behind me of those who are seeking you.” [Musnad Aḥmad 3]

True to his word, Suraqah turned back and misled the other search parties, keeping the Prophet's location hidden. The man who had set out hoping to capture the Messenger of Allāh (ﷺ) eventually became one of the believers. Such is the Power of Allāh to transform hearts.

Another moving moment during the Hijrah occurred when the Prophet (ﷺ) and Abū Bakr (Raḍiyallāhu 'Anhu) took shelter in the cave. The disbelievers came so close that they stood at its entrance and looked directly toward it. Abū Bakr feared they would discover them, yet Allāh had decreed otherwise. Their eyes saw the cave, but Allāh prevented their hearts from seeing those inside it. 

Allāh (ﷻ) says: “If you help him (Muḥammad ﷺ) not (it does not matter), for Allāh did indeed help him when the disbelievers drove him out, the second of two, when they (Muḥammad ﷺ and Abū Bakr) were in the cave, and he (ﷺ) said to his companion (Abū Bakr): “Be not sad (or afraid), surely Allāh is with us.” Then Allāh sent down His Sakīnah (calmness, tranquillity, peace, etc.) upon him, and strengthened him with forces (angels) which you saw not, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowermost, while it was the Word of Allāh that became the uppermost, and Allāh is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” [Sūrah At-Tawbah (9): 40]

What a comforting reminder! When Allāh protects you, no enemy can harm you unless He permits it. Our responsibility is to obey Him, take the appropriate means, and place complete trust in Him.

I beseech Allāh (ﷻ) to make us among those who sincerely remain steadfast upon the truth until we meet Him. Aameen