The Spider and the Dove at the Cave

In the city of Mecca, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, told people about goodness, mercy and God. But some people did not like him and wanted to harm him. One day God told the Prophet to go to the city of Medina. This journey is called the Hijra.

The Prophet set out at night with his closest friend, Abu Bakr. They knew there were people following them. On the way they reached a mountain called Thawr and hid in a small cave on the mountain.

As soon as they went into the cave, a little spider set to work. It spun a web of thin, shining threads across the mouth of the cave. To the right, to the left, up and down... Soon the entrance of the cave was covered with a big spider web. A little later a pair of doves came. They built a nest on the rock at the mouth of the cave and sat on their eggs.

The people following them came all the way to the cave. Hearing them from inside, Abu Bakr was worried. The Prophet calmed him: "Do not be sad, God is with us."

The people looked at the mouth of the cave. "Look at that web," said one. "If anyone were in here, this web would be broken." Another said, "Look at those doves, sitting calmly on their nest. If someone were inside, they would have flown away." And they turned back and left.

A few days later the Prophet and his friend continued on their way and reached Medina safely. The children of Medina welcomed them with songs.

This story tells us: God protects even with the smallest creatures. A spider's web can be stronger than a castle. And how beautiful it is, in a hard moment, to be able to say "do not be sad" to the friend beside you. Next time you see a spider's web or a dove's nest, remember this story.