At-Tawba (The Repentance)

40. “If you do not help him, yet Allah has helped him already, when those who disbelieved expelled him, he was the second of the two, when they both were in the cave, when he said unto his companion: ‘Do not grieve, surely Allah is with us’. Then Allah sent down on him His tranquillity and strengthened him with hosts which you did not see, and He made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest; and the word of Allah is the highest, and Allah is the Mighty, the Wise.”

This verse contains a hint to the dangerous plan of polytheists for slaying the Prophet (S). In the event of the Night fixed for the execution of the Conspiracy, every tribe sent a vigorous person ready to stab at him.

They decided to attack at night and slay the Prophet (S). He put Ali-ibn-Abi Tālib (as) in bed instead of himself and, by night, he went towards the Cave of Thūr accompanied with Abū-Bakr.

The pagans chased the Prophet (S) as far as the threshould of the Cave, but, seeing the spider’s webs at the gate of the Cave, they changed their mind and returned.

Thus, after three days staying there, the Prophet (S) left for Medina. During that time, Abū-Bakr’s slave, ‘Āmir-ibn-Fahrah, brought food for them. At the same time, Ali (as) was preparing the necessities of traveling to Medina.

After three days, three camels were supplied ready at the Cave and the Prophet (S), Abū-Bakr, and a guide started for Medina.¹

Therefore, Allah’s helps in the past are some admonitions for today; and if they do not help the religion of Allah, He helps His Messenger even by sending spider’s webs. The verse says:

“If you do not help him, yet Allah has helped him already, when those who disbelieved expelled him, he was the second of the two, when they both were in the cave, when he said unto his companion: ‘Do not grieve, surely Allah is with us’. Then Allah sent down on him His tranquillity and strengthened him with hosts which you did not see…”

Of course, the Will of Allah is superior to and higher than any decisions and desires. The verse says:

“…and the word of Allah is the highest…”

And, the transgressive forces, with all their specializations and possibilities, will be impotent before the true believers who have tranquillity and certainty. The holy verse says:

“…and He made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest; and the word of Allah is the highest, and Allah is the Mighty, the Wise.”