IMAM ALI IN THAT DEATH BED
GABRIEL the Arch Angel informed Mohammad of the plot and advised him what to do and how to emigrate. Mohammad was then strictly under the guards surveillance, and had to take great care over the arrangement for his dangerous and confidential journey. First of all he had to find some volunteer to endanger his own life by sleeping in Mohammad's bed which was under the gaze of the guards that critical night. Generally the houses in Medina had no outer wall, and if they had any, they were short, and one could see from beyond the walls what was going on in the houses. It was indeed a dangerous job for the voluntary who had to lay on prophet's bed, for he had to give himself to sacrifice.
No volunteer could Mohammad find for that hard task save HAZRAT IMAM ALI (AS), his cousin, elected brother, and later his son in law and successor.
The prophet said to Imam Ali: ``Will you sleep in my bed, that we may decieve the enemy who intend to slay me tonigh? If you throw dust upon their eyes by doing that, I may find enough time to reach and hide in a safe place for the time being.''
In answer to the prophet's proposal, Imam Ali said: ``Why not!? Of course by all means! And, Messenger of God; can I have the good- tiding that your life which is dearer to me than mine, will be saved by doing that?'' The prophet assured him of that, and the two brothers embraced, and kissed, and the prophet told him what to do after, and how to join him through the emigration later.
Mohammad left Imam Ali sleeping on his bed that indeed could be called a death bed, covered with the prophet's green clock to show that it was him in his own bed, in order to mislead the spies and guards who were peeping from behind the short walls.
Then the prophet made use of the dark of the night and went out from a back door, while the watchmen's gaze were fixed upon the prophet's bed which was occupied by Imam Ali. (AS). The guards were waiting for the silence of the midnight to come in order to rush at once and kill the apostle.
The prophet went directly to the house of ABUBEKR one of his eminent companions and a friend of him. Mohammad S.A. told him that God had ordered him to leave the town and make for Medina.
``And what about me? Am I not to emigrate?'' asked ABUBEKR. ``This is what I am here for. You are my fellow traveller in this journey.'' said the prophet.
The prophet told him of what was needed for the dangerous journey of the two friends of the cave. They immediately made the necessary preprations, and left the house of ABUBEKR for a cave which was on top of a mountain named Sowr, nowadays a visiting monument for the pilgrims.
It was about the midnight that the two friends were hidden in the cave of Sowr; and meanwhile 20 young men, each a representative of his own clan or tribe, and all headed by ABUJAHL, jumped over the wall and rushed upon the bed to slay Mohammad!
Imam Ali was vigilant and on guard, and as soon as the assassins came, he put the cloak aside to unveil his face to be recognized. They shouted on him saying:
``Then it is you! the son of ABUTALIB!?''
``Whose son then you expected me to be?'' answered Imam Ali. They rushed upon him and beating him harshly, said: ``Don't you try to pull our legs, and tell us frankly and truthfully where is Mohammad, or you will get killed.'' Imam Ali who took his sword out of its sheath, angrily exclaimed: ``How do I know where he is? Had you trusted him to me, or was I your watchman over him?''
Ali took out his sword to fight them. They at first thought of killing him for his throwing dust upon their eyes, but when they remembered how brave Ali was and also ready to fight, they were sure that they could not kill him without several of them being killed or injured. So they gave up the idea and disposed in search of the prophet. The following verse then revealed to this effect:
``And there is a type of the believers who gives his life to please Allah, and Allah is the Most kind to His devotees. (S 2: 207)
