The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his Progeny) went out, mounted the she-camel, and set off. Gabriel (peace be upon him) met him and said: "O Messenger of Allah, Allah has commanded me to be with you and to be your companion on your journey to the cave which you shall enter, and to remain with you until Medina, until your she-camel kneels at the door of Abu Ayyub al-Ansari.
" As he—may His glory be exalted—proceeded, Abu Bakr met him and said: "O Messenger of Allah, I wish to accompany you." He—may His glory be exalted—said to him: "Woe to you, O Abu Bakr! I desire that no one senses my presence." He replied: "I fear for you, O Messenger of Allah, that the polytheists might make me swear an oath regarding my meeting with you, and I would find no choice but to be truthful to them."
He—may His glory be exalted—said to him: "Woe to you, O Abu Bakr! Would you truly do that?" He said: "Yes, by Allah; I would rather be killed than swear and then commit perjury." He—may His glory be exalted—said to him: "Woe to you, O Abu Bakr! Your companionship is of no benefit to me 1 ." Abu Bakr then said: "But you suspect me and fear that I might warn the polytheists about you." He—may His glory be exalted—said: "Proceed then, if you wish." They reached the cave, and he dismounted from the she-camel and made her kneel at the door of the cave. He entered, accompanied by Gabriel (peace be upon him) and Abu Bakr.