The Peace Treaty of Hudaybiyyah

THE MESSENGER (SALLALLAHU ALAIYHI WASSALLAM) OF ALLAH’S DREAM:The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah dreamt that he entered Makkah and did tawaf around the Ka’bah. His Companionsin Madinahwere delighted when he told them about it. They all revered Makkah and the Ka’bah and they yearned to do tawaf there.The Muhajirun had even greater affection for Makkah. They had been born there and had grown up in the city. They loved it deeply but had been driven away from it. When the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah told them of his dream, they started to prepare for the journey to Makkah. Hardly anyone wanted to stay behind.MAKKAH VISITED AT LAST:The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah left Madinah for al-Hudaybiyyah in Dhu’l-Qa’dah, 6 A.H. He intended to perform ‘umrah in peace. He was accompanied by fifteen hundred Muslims dressed as pilgrims for ‘umrah in order to show people that they had come to visit the Ka’bah out of respect for it. They tookwith them animals for the sacrifice.The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah sent out a scout in advance to inform him aboutthe reaction of the Quraysh. When he was near ‘Usfan the scout returned and reported, ‘I left Ka’b ibn Lu’ayy gathering an army against you to prevent you from reaching the Ka’bah.’The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah continued to travel until he reached the furthest part of al-Hudaybiyyah. He pitched camp although there was little water.The people started to complain to him of thirst. He took an arrow from his quiver and told them to put it in the waterhole. Immediately it began to gush with water and continued to flow until they had all quenched theirthirst.The Quraysh were extremely alarmedwhen they heard that the Muslims were at al-Hudaybiyyah, The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah decided to send one of his Companions to them and summoned Uthman ibn Affan. He was sent to inform the Quraysh that they had not come to fight but had come for ‘umrah, and that he should call them to Islam. The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah instructed him to visit the believing men and womenof Makkah, to give them the good news of victory and tell them that Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, would make His religion victorious in Makkah and it would no longer be necessary for them to conceal their belief.Uthman went to Makkah and conveyed the message to Abu Sufyan and the Quraysh noblemen.When Uthman had finished delivering the message, they said, ‘If you yourself wish to do tawaf of the House, go ahead.’‘I will not do it,’ he said, ‘until the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah has done tawaf.’BAY’AT-AR-RIDWAN:Uthman was in Makkah longer than the Muslims had expected and the rumour spread that he had been killed. Then the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah called for a pledge of allegiance. He sat beneath a tree and the Muslims promised thatthey would fight with him to the last man. The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah took his own hand and said, ‘This is for Uthman.’ Later they heard that Uthman had not been murdered and he came back safely.The Pledge took place under an acacia tree in al-Hudaybiyyah and isreferred to in the Qur’an Allah revealed, ‘Allah was pleased with the believers when they were pledging their allegiance under the tree.'(48: 181)The deadlock between the Quraysh and the Muslims continued until fourenvoys came to the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah who said to each one, ‘We did not come to fight anyone. Rather we came to perform ‘umrah.’But the Quraysh remained stubborn and refused to allow them to proceed.One of the envoys, ‘Urwah ibn Mas’ud ath-Thaqafi, went back to his people and said, ‘O people! By Allah, I have been in the presence of kings – from Chosroes, and Caesar to the Negus – and by Allah, I have never seen any king whose people respected him as much as the companions of Muhammad respect Muhammad.’ He described to them what he had seen.TREATY AND TRUCE; WISDOM AND FORBEARANCE:The Quraysh then sent Suhayl ibn Amr. When the Messenger(sallallahualaiyhi wassallam) of Allah saw him coming, he remarked, ‘It is clear that they want peace since they have sent this man.’ He told his Companions toprepare a draft agreement.He called for Ali ibn Abi Talib and told him, ‘Write: In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate.’‘By Allah,’ Suhayl said, ‘we do not know who this “Merciful” is. Rather write, “in Your name, O Allah” as you used to write.’The Muslims said, ‘By Allah, we will only write, “in the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate.” ‘ The Prophet said, ‘Write, “In Your name, OAllah.” ‘Then he said, ‘Write, “This is what Muhammad, the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah has agreed.” ‘‘By Allah,’ retorted Suhayl, ‘if we accepted that you were the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah, we would not have prevented you from reaching the House of Allah nor fought you. Rather write, “Muhammad ibn Abdullah.”‘The Prophet said, ‘I am the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah even though youdo not believe me. Write, “Muhammad ibn Abdullah.” ‘He asked Ali to erase what he had written but Ali Said, ‘By Allah no, I will not erase it.’The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah said, ‘Show me the place,’ and he erased it himself. Then he said, ‘This is what the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah agrees provided that you give us leave to perform tawaf of the Ka’bah.’Suhayl Said, ‘By Allah, we will not allow the Arabs to say that we submitted to pressure. It will have to be next year.’ It was also written: ‘On the condition that if any of our men, even if he has your religion, comes to you, you will return him to us.’The Muslims said, ‘Glory be to Allah! How can we return someone to the idol-worshippers after he has become a Muslim’While they were thus engaged, Abu Jandal ibn Suhayl came on the scenefettered by chains. He had escaped from Makkah, and threw himself down among the Muslims.Suhayl looked at his son and commented, ‘Muhammad, here is thefirst man that you have to return under this treaty.’‘We have not finished the document yet,’ countered the Prophet.‘Then, by Allah, I will never agree to anything.’ ‘Let me keep him,’ said the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah. ‘I will not allow you to keep him.’‘Let him go for my sake.’‘I will not.’‘O Muslims!’ said Abu Jandal, Am I tobe returned to the idol-worshippers when I have come to you as a Muslim? Do you not see what I have suffered?’ He had been severely tortured for his beliefs. However, the Prophet returned him as his father had demanded.The two parties agreed to abandon war for ten years. During that period everyone would live in peace. Both sides would be safe and would refrain from fighting one another. Whoever came to Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)from the Quraysh without obtaining the permission of his guardian would be returned to them, but whoever came to the Quraysh from those with Muhammad need not be returned to him. Whoever wanted to enter into an alliance and agreement with Muhammad could do so and whoever wanted to enter into an alliance and agreement with the Quraysh would also be free to do so.THE MUSLIMS’ DISTRESS:When the Muslims saw the terms of the truce and what it meant to the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah, they were very distressed. The effect on them was sogreat that Umar ibn al-Khattab asked Abu Bakr angrily, ‘Did not the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah say to us that wewere going to go to the Ka’bah and perform tawaf?’‘Yes. But did he tell you that it was going to be this very year!’‘No.’Abu Bakr assured him, ‘You will go there and you will do tawaf.’When the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah had finished drawing up the treaty, he sacrificed a camel and then shaved his head. This was a difficult time for the Muslims because all their hopes had been dashed. They had left Madinah with the firm intention of entering Makkah and doing ‘umrah. Now they felt beaten and crushed. However, when they sa