From Makkah to Madeenah
Ibn 'Abbaas reported that 'Ali ibn Abi Taalib once said to him,
"As far as I know every single Muhaajir (person who migrated from Makkah to Madeenah) departed in secret, except for Umar ibn al-Khattab (ra)...he secured his sword on himself, prepared his bow, placed in his hands a number of arrows...shortened his 'anazah (a short stick, stronger than a spear)...proceeded to the Ka’bah where the leaders of the Quraysh were sitting in their gatherings...went around the Ka'bah seven times and then performed two rakaahs of salaah by the Maqaam Ibraheem. Thereafter, he approached each gathering separately, saying, 'May your faces turn ugly! Whoever wants his mother to mourn him, his children to become orphans and his wife to become a widow, then let him meet me behind this valley (to try and stop my Hijrah).' Not a single person from Quraysh followed him to accept his challenge."
This was one route taken by one man but the majority of the Muslims including the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) had to leave secretly as they feared that Quraysh would attempt to stop them or kill them. Migration had become necessary so that they could practise their religion freely, without fear or compromise.
However, Abu Baseer ‘Utbah bin Aseed (ra) and around 60-70 men were unable to migrate either openly or secretly due to the Al-Hudaybiyah Peace Treaty between the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) in Madeenah and the Quraysh idol worshippers of Makkah. Abu Baseer managed to escape to Madeenah from the prisons of the polytheists in Makkah. Quraysh sent two men after him to bring him back in accordance with the terms of the peace treaty.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to him:
“O Abu Baseer, we gave these people what you know [an agreement and treaty], and treachery is not befitting for our religion. Allah will grant you and the weak people with you relief and a way out; so, return to your people.”
Abu Baseer said,
“O Messenger of Allah, would you return me to the polytheists so that they would drive me away from my religion?”
He (ﷺ) replied: “O Abu Baseer, go, for Allah will grant you and the weak people with you relief and a way out.”
Thus, he returned with the two men and when they reached Thu’l-Hulayfah, he said to one of them, “Is your sword sharp, O son of Banu ‘Aamir?” The man replied in the affirmative and said, “Have a look at it if you like.” Abu Baseer then drew the sword and killed him. The other man fled returning to the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, “Your companion killed mine.”
Soon after that, Abu Baseer came carrying an unsheathed sword and said, “O Messenger of Allah, you have fulfilled your covenant by giving me over to the people, and I protected my religion so as not to become an apostate.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Woe to his mother! What an excellent war kindler he would be, if only there had been others with him.” When Abu Baseer heard this, he understood that he would be returned to Quraysh again, so he set out until he reached the seashore. [Al-Bukhari]
The Muslims, like Abu Jandal bin Suhayl bin ‘Amr (ra) and others, who were still trapped in Makkah were encouraged by the above words of the Prophet (ﷺ) to escape from Makkah to Abu Baseer at the seashore and there they formed a strong group. Whenever they heard about a caravan of the Quraysh heading towards Ash-Shaam (greater Syria) they would attack it, kill the people in it and take their property. This group harmed the polytheists at a time when the Muslim state could not hence the people of the Quraysh sent a message to the Prophet (ﷺ) begging him to take them, promising that whoever among them would go to the Prophet (ﷺ) would be secure.
(Umar's story adapted from Golden Stories of Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (r.a.) by Abdul Malik Mujahid and Abu Baseer's (r.a.) story adapted from Islamweb.net)
Umm Hafab
Muslim News