From Orchard to Oracle
By: Bashir Ahmad Dar
Few weeks back, I strolled through my in law’s dense apple orchard located just a few kilometres from my residence, head heavy with some negative thoughts. The apple harvest had already concluded and the trees were bereft of any fruit hangings. My father in law had hired a well-known local pruner who was just getting ready to prune the trees. With a glimmer of hope of finding any un-harvested red delicious delicacy I ventured deep into the orchard.
As my eyes scanned through the branches my eyes by chance to fell on a spider meticulously spinning a web,out of the proteinaceous silk extruding from the spinnerets. The spider was indeed a clever architect. He had suspended its invisibly thin and intricately woven masterpiece between the neighbouring branches of two nearby trees.
The spider might have woven its creation to snare its prey, or resting place for its young ones or a shelter from its predators but for me the web served a different purpose. As I continued watch this eight limbed anthropoid weaving intricate trap and at the same time transfixed and mesmerised by the spider’s artistry I felt time travelled and transported across centuries to a different era in past and found myself standing few kilometres away from holy city of Makkah,infront of a cave named after the mountain as Ghaar-e-Soor.
The cave resonated with amazingly beautiful voices,which moved my inner soul and captivated my heart. I went close to the cave and strained my ears to listen more closely. Who possessed this voice of unparalleled beauty? What was the message they conveyed? These questions intrigued my mind. To get the answer I listened more attentively.
As I listened intently,the words became more clearer. “Oh Prophet of Allah! If some of them lower their sight they will see us.” “Silence Abu Bakr ! What do you think of those with whom the third is Allah.” Aaah !it was our Beloved Prophet,the Mohsin e Insayat , khatimonNabyean, the seal of prophets, MohmmadRasolullah (SAW) and his close companion, the leader of truthful, Sideeq e Akbar, Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA).
I got the answer of my first questions but new questions arose. What were they doing in the cave and who were they hiding from? I was eager to knock the mouth of the cave,move inside,kiss their feet and request my questions but my inner self stopped me. It resonated several things. Was I worth standing in front of thenoblest fugitives? Do I qualify even the slightest to call myself the true ummati of Beloved Prophet? What if he (SAW) pointed out to me my wrong doings? As I scanned through my deeds book I found it filled with dark spots. The feeling of shame reduced me to a very very humble and contrite position.
Overwhelmed with reverence,I lacked the courage to face my beloved Prophet (SAW).Silently, I retreated but not before casting one last look at this abode of the most loved and noble fugitives of history. I beheld the mouth of the cave covered by a spider web and the manufacturer of this web, the proud spider, lying beside,trumpet and exhilarating like a victorious solider of a hard fought battle.
Perplexed,bewildered and moved by the experience of the scene, I wandered place to place, city to city and land to land seeking answers. Luckily, my wandering took me to Baghdad city of Iraq where I met one of the most venerated intellectual figures in Islamic history, Imam Ahmad (may Allah be pleased with him).
After greetings I told him about my journey and experience and pleaded for the answers. He offered me a glass of water and listened to me patiently. Afterwards he handed me over a book and very politely asked me to read its hadith pertaining to overnight stay of our beloved Prophet at Ghaar e Soor.
In that particular hadith Imam narrates from Ibn Abbas (RA). According to Ibn Abbas, Quraysh gathered one night in Makkah, plotting against Prophet Muhammad (SAW) because of his rising popularity and induction of new followers into Islam every single day. Some suggested imprisoning him, while others advocated for his execution or exile. Allah informed the Prophet (SAW) of their devilish plans.
That night, on the directions of our Prophet Hazrat Ali (RA) slept in the Prophet’s bed, while the Prophet (SAW) along with his sincerest companion Hazrat Abu Bakr(RA) set out southwards, climbed up the lofty peak of Jabl-e-Soor and decided to take refuge in a cave there.
The next morning, the disbelievers attacked Hazrat Ali (RA) mistaking him for the Prophet(SAW). When they realized their error, they set out with all their potential to find the Prophet, searching the mountain and passing by the cave. Noticing a spider’s web covering the cave entrance, they assumed no one had entered, and thus abandoned their search. The Prophet (SAW) remained hidden in the cave for three nights, safe from his pursuers. It was really a divine miracle;the pursuers were only a few step from the cave.
I closed the book. I had the answers I needed. Now was the turn to reflect on the episode of Gaar-e-Soor. I derived some good lessons from it like it teaches us to have faith in Allah in every situation,no matter what.
Allah says in Quran ,”Indeed with hardship there comes ease.” It teaches us to be patient as Allah promises,” Innallaha ma sabireen” that’s Surely, Allah is with those who are patient. It also teaches us to seek guidance, help and protection from Allah alone as with regard to the safe escape of our Prophet (SAW) from assassins who laid tight blockade to the Prophet’s house Allah says in Quran 36:9,” And We have put a barrier before them and a barrier behind them and We have covered them up so that they cannot see.”
Just like Allah protected his Prophet (SAW) and his companion from Quarysh by ordering a spider to weave a web and making it seem like no one has entered into the cave. He is there for all of us. With firm belief in Him we can face the most challenging situations in life. He will show us path and provide solutions to even the most challenging situations.
Suddenly a chilly breeze swept through the orchard, rustling the leaves and jerking the tree branches. A nearby branch brushed against my shoulder, yanking me back to the present era. As I returned to the current era, I felt an unexpected sense of tranquillity descend upon my soul.
All my uneasiness and worries had vanished and replaced by a deep sense of peace. I took a moment to express my gratitude to Allah for all the blessings He had bestowed upon me. With a heart full of joy and appreciation, I made my way back home.
(Bashir Ahmad Dar is a teacher by profession and can be reached at darbashir1234321@gmail.com)
