Treaty of Hudaybiyyah

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The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (Arabic: صلح الحديبية) was an event that took place during the formation of Islam. It was a pivotal treaty between the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, representing the state of Medina, and the Quraysh tribe of Mecca in March 628 (corresponding to Dhu al-Qi'dah, 6 AH). It helped to decrease tension between the two cities, affirmed a 10-year peace, and authorised Muhammad's followers to return the following year in a peaceful pilgrimage, later known as The First Pilgrimage.[1][2][3]

Attempted pilgrimage

Muhammad had a premonition that he entered Mecca and did tawaf around the Ka'bah. His companions in Madinah were delighted when he told them about it. They all revered Mecca and the Ka'bah and they yearned to do tawaf there. In 628, Muhammad and a group of 1,400 Muslims marched peacefully without arms towards Mecca, in an attempt to perform the Umrah (pilgrimage). They were dressed as pilgrims, and brought sacrificial animals, hoping that the Quraish would honour the Arabian custom of allowing pilgrims to enter the city. The Muslims had left Medina in a state of ihram, a premeditated spiritual and physical state which restricted their freedom of action and prohibited fighting. This, along with the paucity of arms carried, indicated that the pilgrimage was always intended to be peaceful.[4]

Muhammad and his followers camped outside of Mecca, and Muhammad met with Meccan emissaries who wished to prevent the pilgrims' entry into Mecca. After negotiations the two parties decided to resolve the matter through diplomacy rather than warfare, and a treaty was drawn up.[5]

Treaty

The treaty was written by Ali ibn Abi Talib. The statement of the treaty was as follows:[6]

“In your name, O God!
This is the treaty of peace between Muhammad Ibn Abdullah and Suhayl ibn Amr. They have agreed to allow their arms to rest for ten years. During this time each party shall be secure, and neither shall injure the other; no secret damage shall be inflicted, but honesty and honour shall prevail between them. Whoever in Arabia wishes to enter into a treaty or covenant with Muhammad can do so, and whoever wishes to enter into a treaty or covenant with the Quraysh can do so. And if a Qurayshite comes without the permission of his guardian to Muhammad, he shall be delivered up to the Quraysh; but if, on the other hand, one of Muhammad's people comes to the Quraysh, he shall not be delivered up to Muhammad. This year, Muhammad, with his companions, must withdraw from Mecca, but next year, he may come to Mecca and remain for three days, yet without their weapons except those of a traveler, the swords remaining in their sheaths.”

Umar's opposition

After the treaty was signed, most of the pilgrims objected to Muhammad giving in on most points to the Quraysh, refusing to use the name of Allah and refusing to call himself the Messenger of God. That led to Umar having doubts about Muhammad's truthfulness and asking Muhammad if he really was the Messenger of God.[7][8][9][10][11][12][13] This has even been recorded in Sahih Muslim.[14] Umar later said that if a hundred men had supported him, he would have left Islam then.[15][16][17]

Significance

The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was, and still is, very important in Islam. After the signing of the treaty, the Quraysh of Mecca no longer considered Muhammad to be a rebel or a fugitive from Mecca. They also recognized the Islamic state in Medina by signing the treaty. The treaty also allowed the Muslims who were still in Mecca to practice Islam publicly. Further, as there was no longer a constant struggle between the Muslims and the polytheists, many people saw Islam in a new light, which led to many more people accepting Islam. In addition, the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah paved the way for many other tribes to make treaties with the Muslims. The treaty also serves as an example that Islam was not merely spread with the sword, as Muhammad had an army that could have attacked Mecca, but Muhammad chose to make a treaty instead of attacking.

A verse of the Quran was revealed about the treaty, which translates to, "Verily we have granted thee a manifest victory" (Quran 48:1).

See also

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ Armstrong, Karen (2007). Muhammad: A Prophet for Our Time. New York: HarperCollins. pp. 175&ndash, 181. ISBN 978-0-06-115577-2.
  3. ↑ Armstrong, Karen (2002). Islam: A Short History. New York: Modern Library. p. 23. ISBN 978-0-8129-6618-3.
  4. ↑ Andrae; Menzel (1960) p. 156; See also: Watt (1964) p. 183
  5. ↑ "The Event Of Hudaybiyyah". Al-Islam.org. Retrieved 22 November 2015.
  6. ↑ Learning Islam 8. Islamic Services Foundation. 2009. p. D14. ISBN 1-933301-12-0.
  7. ↑ Razwy, Sayed Ali Asgher. A Restatement of the History of Islam & Muslims. pp. 183–186.
  8. ↑ Glubb, Sir John. The Great Arab Conquests.
  9. ↑ Bodley, R.V.C. The Messenger - the Life of Mohammed.
  10. ↑ al-Samawi, Muhammad al-Tijani. Then I was Guided.
  11. ↑ "The Treaty of Hudaybiyah". Questions on Islam. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  12. ↑ Ibn Hisham. ibid, Volume 3. p. 331.
  13. ↑ ibn Hanbal, Ahmad. ibid, Volume 4. p. 330.
  14. ↑ Muslim. Sahih, Volume 3. p. 1412.
  15. ↑ Razwy, Sayed Ali Asgher. A Restatement of the History of Islam & Muslims. p. 185.
  16. ↑ Rodinson, Maxime (2002). Muhammad: Prophet of Islam. Taurus Parke Paperbacks. p. 251.
  17. ↑ Andre, Tor. Mohammed - the Man and his Faith.
  • The Oxford History of Islam by John Esposito (Oxford U. Press, 1999)
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