Returning to Makkah, Muhammad (SAW) continued to invite tribes and individuals to accept Islam however, with the exception of a small number of individuals, including a group from the tribe of Khazraj in Maddinah, Muhammad’s (SAW) message continued to be rejected by many tribes.
It was in the face of this relentless opposition that the Prophet (SAW) was blessed with the physical Night Journey to Jerusalem and ascension into heaven where he spoke with the prophets and was brought near to Allah. Furthermore, in the thirteenth year[1] of his Prophethood, the Second (Great) ‘Aqabah Pledge[2] heralded the belief within key communities of the Khazraj and Aws from Maddinah and established their loyalty to Muhammad (SAW).
As the persecution in Makkah worsened Muhammad (SAW) gave his followers permission to migrate to Madinah. Some time later, on discovering a murderous plot of the tribes of the Quraish[3], Allah gave Muhammad (SAW) permission to migrate – The Hijrah. Muhammad (SAW), together with Abu Bakr, miraculously escaped Makkah and, after hiding in a cave on the mountain of Thawr and some time in Quba’, Muhammad (SAW) made his triumphant entrance into Maddinah.
[1] The Sealed Nectar – P220
[2] Ibn Hisham 1/440-442
[3] Ibn Hisham 1/480-482
