“If you do not help him, Allaah has already helped him. When the disbelievers drove him out, and he was the second of two in the cave, he said to his companion: ‘Do not grieve; indeed, Allaah is with us.’”
(Qur’an 9:40)
Jabal Thawr, located just south of the Holy City, is not merely a geological formation; it is a timeless testament to divine promise, a sanctuary where the fledgling Ummah was sheltered by the direct command of Allaah.
The Sanctuary of the Migration
The story of Jabal Thawr is inextricably linked to the Hijrah—the Prophet’s migration from Makkah to Madinah. Pursued by the Quraysh, who had plotted his assassination, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his loyal companion, Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (radiy Allaahu ‘anhu), sought refuge in a cave on this mountain.
The Quraysh were so determined that they posted a bounty of one hundred camels for anyone who could bring them Muhammad ﷺ, dead or alive. Their search party reached the very mouth of the cave.
The Miracle in the Cave
What happened next is one of the most profound miracles in the Seerah, directly mentioned in the Qur’an and detailed in authentic narrations.
Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (radiy Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “I was with the Prophet ﷺ in the cave. When I raised my head, I saw the feet of the pagans. I said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, if one of them looks down at his feet, he will see us!’ The Prophet ﷺ said, ‘O Abu Bakr, what do you think of two whose third is Allaah?’”
In another narration, Abu Bakr (radiy Allaahu ‘anhu) expressed his fear that the Quraysh would see them. The Prophet ﷺ reassured him with these profound words:
‘Do not grieve; indeed, Allaah is with us.’ (Sahih al-Bukhari 3925)
This was not merely a comforting phrase. It was a statement of reality.
The Lessons for the Believer
The Reality of Divine Help (Nusrah): Allaah’s help does not always mean the absence of trial. Sometimes, it means being protected within the trial. The cave was the heart of the danger, yet it became their safest haven.
The Power of Trust (Tawakkul): The Prophet’s ﷺ unwavering statement, “Do not grieve; indeed, Allaah is with us,” is the ultimate model of tawakkul. It is a trust that actively relies on Allaah after taking all necessary physical means (in this case, finding a hiding spot).
The Honour of Companionship: Abu Bakr earned the title “As-Siddiq” (The Truthful) and “The Second of the Two” in the Qur’an for his unwavering faith and companionship in this moment of extreme peril.
A Site of Ziyarah (Visitation)
Today, pilgrims visit Jabal Thawr, often after completing Umrah, to reflect upon this monumental event. Climbing to the cave is physically demanding, but every step is a reminder of the struggle endured for the sake of faith. Standing in that narrow space, one can almost feel the echo of that divine promise: “Indeed, Allaah is with us.”
It is a powerful reminder that no matter how constricted our circumstances feel, how close the enemy seems to be, or how impossible the way forward appears, our reliance is on the One who controls all outcomes.
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Jabal Thawr • The Second of Two • Daarul-Hikam 2026