النص المفهرس

1120

1121

The Treaty of Hudaybiyah
Introduction
Hudaybiyyah is the name of a well, which is adjacent to a village of the same
name. Nowadays, the area is called Shumaysi and is located at 13 miles from
Makkah, along the old highway to Jeddah. The historian Tabari ail das, has written
that the greater portion of Hudaybiyyah is situated within the confines of the
Haram, with the remaining portion being outside the Haram, but within the
boundaries of the Miqaat.
1122

It was during the year 6 A.H. in Madinah that Rasulullaah p saw in a dream that
him and the Sahabah w entered Makkah in peace and were performing Umrah.
He also saw that some of the Sahabah w had their heads shaved after the
Umrah, while others had their hair trimmed. Because the dreams of the
Ambiyaa >ll posle are revelation, Rasulullaah p treated this dream as a command
from Allaah, which he and the Sahabah w were obliged to carry out. Verse 27 of
Surah Fatah confirms that Rasulullaah p did actually see this dream.
However, it seemed impossible that the Muslims could enter Makkah since the
Mushrikeen had been preventing them from entering Makkah for eight years
before that. During all those years, they had not allowed any Muslims to perform
Hajj or Umrah. Under such a situation, any person would have felt daunted by
the prospect of going to Makkah to perform Umrah. Rasulullaah p was different.
He never depended on worldly means and immediately prepared the Sahabah \
for the journey.
They left Madinah on Sunday the 1st of Dhul Qa'dah 6 A.H. The tribes
neighbouring Madinah were also invited to join them until the total number of
Muhaajireen and Ansaar numbered 1500. They stopped at Dhul Hulayfah608 to
enter into the Ihraam and garland the over seventy camels that they were
taking along as sacrifices. It was from here that the cries of the Talbiya started
to echo through the air as the Muslims proceeded towards Makkah. Because the
Muslims had no intention to wage war, they did not carry any military
equipment with them apart from the weapons they usually carried along on
their journeys.609
608
Nowadays known as Bir Ali, where people performing Hajj and Umrah from Madinah enter into the
state of Ihraam.
609
Fat'hul Baari and Tabaqaat (Vol.2 Pg.69)
1123

Rasulullaah p sent a scout ahead of the group to gather information about the
plan of the Quraysh. When Rasulullaah p reached a place called Usfaan, the
scout informed him that the Quraysh were prepared for battle and had camped
at Dhu Tuwa. They had also sent Khaalid bin Waleed with a troop of 200
horsemen ahead to engage the Muslims.
When Rasulullaah p received this intelligence, he immediately altered course
and took a very gruelling path through Hudaybiyyah, which bordered the sacred
Haram610. When they arrived here, Rasulullaah p's camel refused to move
towards Makkah. Despite every effort to move, her, she remained stationary.
Rasulullaah p then told the Sahabah w that since she usually never behaved in
this manner, it was evident that she was being commanded by Allaah to remain
there. Rasulullaah p said, "The One Who held Abraha's elephant back is
holding her back as well." Rasulullaah p then added, "I swear by the Being
Who controls my life that I shall definitely accept any proposal that the
Quraysh make if it honours the hallmarks of Allaah."
Rasulullaah p and the Muslims then set up the camp beside a well. However,
they were extremely thirsty by then and the water in the well was very little.
After a few buckets had been drawn, it was soon empty. When the Sahabah Ự
reported this to Rasulullaah p, he removed an arrow from his quiver and stuck
it into the ground. This caused the water to immediately gush forth from the
well so abundantly that all the Muslims and their animals received sufficient
water.
610
By this time, they had reached a position that gave them superiority over the 200 Qurayshi
horsemen. When Khaalid t saw this, he hastily withdrew and abandoned any intention to attack.
1124

Upon reaching Hudaybiyyah, Rasulullaah p appointed Hadhrat Kharaash bin
Umayyah Khuzaa'ee t as an envoy to the Quraysh and sent him to Makkah with
the message that the Muslims had come solely with the intention of performing
Umrah and not to fight. However, the Quraysh treated Hadhrat Kharaash t in a
most hostile manner and even slaughtered his camel, because of which he was
forced to flee for his life.
When he returned to Rasulullaah p, the Muslims convened to decide what to do.
They eventually decided to send Hadhrat Uthmaan t as an envoy since he was
respected by the Quraysh and belonged to a prominent family. Hadhrat
Uthmaan t obliged and was well received by the leaders of the Quraysh.
Although he assured them that the Muslims meant no harm and only wanted to
perform Umrah, the Quraysh refuse to allow the Muslims into Makkah.
However, they told Hadhrat Uthmaan t that he would be allowed to perform
Tawaaf while he was there. Hadhrat Uthmaan t responded by telling them that
he would never want to perform Tawaaf when Rasulullaah p was being barred
from doing so. This response caused the Quraysh to detain Hadhrat Uthmaan t
in Makkah, because of which the rumour soon reached the Muslims that
Hadhrat Uthmaan t had been martyred.
The Pledge of Ridwan
Upon hearing this jarring rumour, the Muslims resolved never to return to
Madinah without avenging the assassination of Hadhrat Uthmaan t. Standing
beneath a tree in Hudaybiyyah, the Sahabah w took a pledge to fight to the
death. Nothing would deter them from avenging their companion.
As soon as the news of this pledge reached Makkah, the Mushrikeen started to
panic and immediately sent a message to the Muslims to assure them that
1125

Hadhrat Uthmaan t was alive and well. They also made haste to send Hadhrat
Uthmaan t back.
This pledge was made with such sincerity and resolve that Allaah declared his
approval for it in the Qur'aan. It is therefore referred to as the Pledge of
Ridwaan (The pledge that earned Allaah's pleasure). It has therefore
immortalised the honour and esteem of the Sahabah w, showcasing the sincerity
of their faith for every person to come until the Day of Qiyaamah. 611
This pledge struck fear into the hearts of the Mushrikeen and prompted them to
send envoys to the Muslims to negotiate a peace treaty. Some of the chiefs who
came as negotiators to the Muslims included Budayl bin Waraqah (chief of the
Khuzaa'ah tribe) and Urwa bin Mas'ood Thaqafi. Despite the assurance that the
Muslims intended to perform Umrah only and would return within three days,
the two men refused to allow them access to Makkah.
The Quraysh then sent Suhayl bin Amr with some clauses. After some
deliberation and discussion, Rasulullaah p agreed to the clauses and appointed
Hadhrat Ali t to write out the treaty.
The Peace Treaty of Hudaybiyah
Hadhrat Ali t started by writing, "Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem" (In the name
of Allaah, the Most Kind, the Most Merciful). Suhayl objected by saying that they
did not acknowledge Allaah as Ar Rahmaan and that only the words "Bismi
Kallaahumma" (In Your name, O Allaah). Rasulullaah p gave in to this and
instructed Hadhrat Ali t to write as Suhayl wanted.
611
Fat'hul Baari (Vol.7 Pg.345).
1126

Hadhrat Ali t then wrote, "These are the terms upon which Muhammad & the
Rasul-Messenger of Allaah has agreed to ... " Suhayl again objected and said that
if they had acknowledged Rasulullaah p as being the Rasul-messenger of Allaah,
they would not have prevented him from entering Makkah or fought with him.
Rasulullaah p exclaimed, "I am certainly the Rasul-messenger of Allaah even
though you people deny it." He then gave in again and instructed Hadhrat Ali T
to erase the words "the Rasul-messenger of Allaah". "O Rasulullaah p!" Hadhrat
Ali t submitted respectfully, "I am unable to do this." Rasulullaah p then himself
erased the words and had Hadhrat Ali t write "Muhammad bin Abdullaah".612
The clauses of the treaty were:
1. The Muslims would return to Madinah that year without
performing Umrah.
2. They could return to perform Umrah the following year on
condition that they carried no weapons and stayed only for
three days
3. The Muslims and the people of Makkah would be able to
travel peacefully between Makkah and Madinah for the
duration of the treaty
4. If any person from Makkah became a Muslim and left for
Madinah without the permission of his guardian, he would be
promptly returned to Makkah. On the contrary, any person
from Madinah who absconded to Makkah did not need to be
sent back.
5. The other Arab tribes were at liberty to align themselves with
either of the parties and thereby become bound by the
clauses of the treaty
612
Tabari (Vol.3 Pg.80).
1127

6. The treaty would be in effect for ten years, during which
period all were bound to it
The Muslims were very disappointed with the clauses of the treaty and could not
understand why Rasulullaah p had agreed to them. It appeared to be a
humiliation and defeat for the Muslims from every perspective.
It was while the treaty was being negotiated that the son of Suhayl bin Amr
appeared in the Muslim camp. His name was Abu Jandal and he had become a
Muslim, but was being persecuted in Makkah and not allowed to leave. Still
bound in the chains used to hold him in captivity and covered with bruises and
injuries sustained during torture, he managed to reach the Muslims at
Hudaybiyyah, where he pleaded to Rasulullaah p to grant him protection. "This
man O Muhammad," said Suhayl bin Amr, "is the first person I am demanding
that you return to me in accordance with the treaty." "But we have not yet
concluded the treaty," said Rasulullaah p. Suhayl adamantly said, "Then I shall
never negotiate any treaty with you!" Rasulullaah p said, "At least leave him to
me." "I shall never leave him to you!" Suhayl bellowed. "Why not? I am sure you
can," Rasulullaah p requested. "I shall not," Suhayl bin Amr said stubbornly.
Hadhrat Abu Jandal t addressed the Muslims saying, "O gathering of Muslim!
Why should I be returned to the Mushrikeen when I have come as a Muslim?
Have you not seen how I have suffered?" However, Rasulullaah p was bound by
the treaty and said to Abu Jandal t, "Be patient. Allaah shall soon create an
escape for you."
This and the apparent humiliation of the Muslims were too much for many of
the Sahabah w to bear. In fact, even the far-sighted and resolute Hadhrat Umar t
was shaken. He approached Rasulullaah p and asked, "O Rasulullaah p! Are we
not upon the truth?" when Rasulullaah p assured him that they certainly were,
1128

Hadhrat Umar t asked, "Are we not upon the truth, while they are upon
falsehood?" "Certainly!" Rasulullaah p replied. "Then why do we need this
humiliation?" Hadhrat Umar t said. Rasulullaah p replied, "O Umar! I am the
Rasul-messenger of Allaah. How can I disobey the commands of Allah when He is
my only Helper?" Hadhrat Umar t then asked, "Did you not tell us that we will
perform Umrah?" "I certainly did," Rasulullaah p replied, "but I did not say that it
would be this year."
Hadhrat Umar t then went to Hadhrat Abu Bakr t and posed the same
questions to him, receiving an almost verbatim reply from him. During the
latter part of his life, Hadhrat Umar t said that he regretted his outburst at the
time and in atonement he had performed an abundance of salaah, donated
much in Sadaqah, observed many fasts and freed many slaves.
After the treaty had been concluded and both parties had signed, after the
treaty had been written, Rasulullaah p instructed the Sahabah w to slaughter
their animals and to shave off their hair (an indication that they were to return
without performing Umrah). The narrator of the Hadith says, "By Allaah! No one
stood up to do this even though Rasulullaah p thrice repeated the instruction
(because they all hoped that he would perhaps reconsider the situation)." When
he saw that no one was prepared to carry out the command, he went to (his tent
where he met) his wife Hadhrat Ummu Salamah wie dl ... When he informed her
of the difficulty he was having, she said, "O Nabi of Allaah! Why do you rather
not do this? Go out there without speaking a word to anyone, slaughter your
animal, call for someone to shave your hair and have it shaved off." Rasulullaah
p then went out and did accordingly. He slaughtered his animal, called for
someone to shave off his hair and had it shaved off. When the Sahabah w saw
1129

this, they all stood up, slaughtered their animals and started shaving each
other's hair.613
The Muslims stayed in Hudaybiyyah for two weeks and it was during their
return journey at a place called Kuraa'ul Ghumaym that Allaah revealed the
verses of Surah Fatah, which declare that the treaty was a resounding victory for
the Muslims and not a defeat. When these verses were revealed, Rasulullaah p
said to the Sahabah w, "Such verses have been revealed to me today that are
more valuable to me than the world and all its contents. As the time progressed
after this, it became evident to the Muslims that the treaty was indeed a victory
in disguise.
In fact, many Sahabah w including Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mas'ood t, Hadhrat
Jaabir t and Hadhrat Baraa bin Aazib t have stated that although people believe
that the victory referred to in Surah Fatah is the conquest of Makkah, but what it
really referred to was the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.614
In the Words of the Qur' aan
Making reference to the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and the pledge of Ridwaan,
Allaah says in verses 1-29 of Surah Fatah:
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمُنِ الرَّحِيمِ
إِنَّا فَتَحْنَا لَكَ فَتْحًا مُّبِيْنًا ﴾(١) لِّيَغْفِرَ لَكَ اللهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنَّبِكَ وَ مَا تَأَخَّرَ وَ يُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكَ وَ يَهْدِيَكَ
صِرَاطًا مُسْتَقِيْمًا 3ٌ(٢) وَ يَنْصُرَكَ اللهُ نَصْرًا عَزِيْزًا (٣) بُوَ الَّذِى أَنْزَلَ السَّكِيْنَةَ فِى قُلُوْبِ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ
لِيَزْدَادُوا إِيْمَانًا مَّعَ اِيْمَانِمْ ٥* وَ لِلْهِ جُنُودُ السَّمُوتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ * وَكَانَ اللهُ عَلِيْمًا حَكِيْمًا تٌ(٣) لِّيُدْخِلَ
613
Fat'hul Baari (Vol.5 Pg.245).
Bukhaari, Muslim and Ahmad.
1130

الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَ الْمُؤْمِنُتِ جَنْتٍ تَجْرِئٌ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهُرُ خُلِدِيْنَ فِيْهَا وَ يُكَفِّرَ عَنْهُمْ سَيَّأْتِهِمْ ٥* وَ كَانَ ذُلِكَ عِنْدَ اللهِ
فَوْزًا عَظِيْمًا [ٌ(٥) وَ يُعَذِّبَ الْمُنْفِقِيْنَ وَ الْمُنْفِقُتِ وَ الْمُشْرِكِيِنَ وَالْمُشْرِكُتِ الظَّانَّيْنَ بِاللهِ ظَنَّ السَّوْءِ ٥* عَلَيْهِمْ
دَائِرَةُ السَّوْءِ نَّ وَ غَضِبَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ لَعَنَهُمْ وَ اعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَهَنَّمَ ﴿ وَ سَآءَتْ مَصِيْرًا (*) وَ لِلّهِ جُنُودُ السَّمُوتِ وَ
الْأَرْضِ * وَكَانَ اللهُ عَزِيْزًا حَكِيْمًا (٧) إِنَّا أَرْسَلْتُكَ شَابِدًا وَ مُبَشّرًا وَّ نَذِيْرًا ﴾(٨) لَتُؤْمِنُوا بِاللهِ وَ رَسُؤْلِم
وَ تُعَزِّرُؤْهُ وَ تُوَقِّرُؤْهُ ﴿ وَ تُسَبِّحُوْهُ بُكْرَةً وَ أَصِيْلًا (٩) إِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ يُبَايِعُوْنَكَ إِنَّمَا يُبَايِعُوْنَ اللهَ * يَدُ اللهِ
فَوْقَ آَيْدِيْهِمْ وَّ فَمَنْ نَّكَثَ فَإِنَّمَا يَنْكُثُ عَلَى نَفْسِمِ نَّ وَ مَنْ أَوْفَى بِمَا عُهَدَ عَلَيْهُ اللهَ فَسَيُؤْثِيْهِ أَجْرًا عَظِيْمًا
( ١٠) سَيَقُوْلُ لَكَ الْمُخَلَّفُوْنَ مِنَ الْأَعْرَابِ شَغَلَتْنَا أَمْوَ الُنَا وَ أَبْلُوْنَا فَاسْتَغْفِرْلَنَا وَ يَقُوْلُوْنَ بِالْسِنَّتِهِمْ مَّا لَيْسَ
فِى قُلُوْبِهِمْ ٥* قُلْ فَمَنْ يَّمْلِكُ لَّكُمْ مِّنَ اللهِ شَيْئًا إِنْ آَرَادَ بِكُمْ ضَرَّا أَوْ آَرَادَ بِكُمْ نَفْعًا * بَلْ كَانَ اللهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ
خَبِيْرًا (١١) بَلْ ظَنَنْتُمْ أَنْ لَّنْ يَّنَقَلِبَ الرَّسُوْلُ وَ الْمُؤْمِنُوْنَ إِلَى ابْلِهِمْ أَبَدًا وَّ زُيِّنَ ذُلِكَ فِىْ قُوْبِكُمْ وَ ظَنَنْتُمْ
ظَنَّ السَّوْءِ 55 وَكُنْتُمْ قَوْمًا بُوْرًا (١٢) وَ مَنْ لَمْ يُؤْمِنَّ بِاللهِ وَ رَسُؤْلِمٍ فَإِنَّا أَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكُفِرِيْنَ سَعِيْرًا (١٣) وَ
لِلْهِ مُلْكُ السَّمُوتِ وَ الْأَرْضِ * يَغْفِرُ لِمَنْ يَّشَاءُ وَ يُعَذِّبُ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ * وَ كَانَ اللهُ غَفُوْرًا رَّحِيْمًا (١٢)
سَيَقُوْلُ الْمُخَلَّفُوْنَ إِذَا انْطَلَقْتُمْ إِلَى مَغَانِمَ لِتَأْخُذُوْبَا ذَرُوْنَا نَتَّبِعْكُمْ وَ يُرِيِّدُوْنَ أَنْ يُبَدِّلُوا كَلْمَ اللّهِ * قُلْ لَّنْ
تَتَّبِعُوْنَا كَذُلِكُمْ قَالَ اللهُ مِنْ قَبْلُ نَّ فَسَيَقُوْلُوْنَ بَلْ تَحْسُدُوْنَنَا ٥﴿ بَلْ كَانُوا لَا يَفْقَهُوْنَ إِلَّا قَلِيْلًا (١٥) قُلْ
لَلْمُخَلَّفِيْنَ مِنَ الْأَعْرَابِ سَتُدْعَوْنَ إِلَى قَوْمٍ أُولِى بَآسٍ شَدِيْدٍ تُقَاتِلُوْنَهُمْ أَوْ يُسْلِمُوْنَ ◌َ فَإِنْ تُطِيْعُوْا يُؤْتِكُمُ اللهُ
أَجْرًا حَسَنًا ، وَ إِنْ تَتَوَلَّوْا كَمَا تَوَلَّيْتُمْ مِّنْ قَبْلُ يُعَذِّبْكُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيْمًا (١٢) لَيْسَ عَلَى الْأَعْمَى حَرَجٌ وَّ لَا عَلَى
الْأَعْرَجِ حَرَجٌ وَّ لَا عَلَى الْمَرِيْضِ حَرَجٌ * وَ مَنْ يُّطِعِ اللّهَ وَ رَسُوْلَهُ يُدْخِلْمُ جَنْتٍ تَجْرِئٌ مِنْ تَحْتِهَا
الْأَنْهُرُ ﴿ وَ مَنْ يَّتَوَلَّ يُعَذِّبْهُ عَذَابًا أَلِيْمًا (١٧) لَقَدْ رَضِىَ اللهُ عَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ إِذْ يُبَايِعُوْنَكَ تَحْتَ الشَّجَرَةِ
فَعَلِمَ مَا فِىْ قُلُوْبِهِمْ فَأَنْزَلَ السَّكِيْنَةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ آَتَّابَهُمْ فَتْحًا قَرِيْبًا (١٨) وَّ مَغَانِمَ كَثِيْرَةً يَّأْخُذُوْنَهَا ﴿ وَ كَانَ اللهُ
عَزِيْزًا حَكِيْمًا (١٩) وَعَدَكُمُ اللهُ مَغَانِمَ كَثِيْرَةً تَأْخُذُوْنَهَا فَعَجَّلَ لَكُمْ بُذِهٍ وَكَفَّ أَيْدِىَ النَّاسِ عَنْكُمْ ◌َّ وَ لِتَكُوْنَ
أَيَّ لَّلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَ يَهْدِيَكُمْ صِرَاطًا مُسْتَقِيْمًا (٢٠) وَّ أُخْرِى لَمْ تَقْدِرُوْا عَلَيْهَا قَدْ أَحَاطَ اللهُ بِهَا * وَ كَانَ اللهُ عَلَى
كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيْرًا (٢١) وَلَوْ قَتَلَكُمُ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا لَوَلَّوُا الْأَدْبَارَ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوْنَ وَلِيًّا وَّ لَا نَصِيْرًا (٢٢) سُنَّةَ اللهِ
الَّتِى قَدْ خَلَتْ مِنْ قَبْلُ ونَ وَلَنْ تَجِدَ لِسُنَّةِ اللهِ تَبْدِيْلًا (٢٣) وَ بُوَ الَّذِى كَفَّ أَيْدِيَهُمْ عَنْكُمْ وَ آَيْدِيَكُمْ عَنْهُمْ
بِبَطْنِ مَكَّةَ مِنَّ بَعْدِ أَنْ أَظْفَرَكُمْ عَلَيْهِمْ ٥* وَ كَانَ اللهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ بَصِيْرًا (٢٣) بُمُ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا وَ صَدُّوْكُمْ
عَنِ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَ الْهَدْيَ مَعْكُوْفًا أَنْ يَبْلُغَ مَحِلَّمٌ * وَ لَوْ لَا رِجَالٌ مُّؤْمِنُوْنَ وَ نِسَآءٌ مُّؤْمِنْتٌ أَمْ تَعْلَّمُوْبُمْ أَنْ
تَطَوْبُمْ فَتُصِيْبَكُمْ مِّنْهُمْ مَّعَرَّةٌ بِغَيْرٍ عِلْمٍ أَّ لِيُدْخِلَ اللهُ فِىْ رَحْمَتِمٍ مَنْ يَّشَآءُ وَ لَوْ تَزَيَّلُوْا لَعَذَّبْنَا الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا مِنْهُمْ
عَذَابًا أَلِيْمًا (٢٥) إِذْ جَعَلَ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا فِىْ قُلُوْبِهِمُ الْحَمِيَّةَ حَمِيَّةَ الْجَابِيَّةِ فَأَنْزَلَ اللهُ سَكِيْنَتَّهُ عَلَى رَسُوْلِمْ وَ
عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَ الْزَمَهُمْ كَلِمَةَ التَّقْوَى وَ كَانُوْا أَحَقَّ بِهَا وَ أَبْلَهَا * وَ كَانَ اللهُ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيْمًا (٢٢) لَقَدْ
صَدَقَ اللهُ رَسُوْلَهُ الرُّعْيَا بِالْحَقِّ وَ لَتَدْخُلُنَّ الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ إِنْ شَآءَ اللهُ أُمِنِيْنَ " مُحَلَّقِيْنَ رُءُؤْسَكُمْ وَ
مُقَصِّرِيْنَ ﴿ لَا تَخَافُوْنَ * فَعَلِمَ مَا لَمْ تَعْلَمُوْا فَجَعَلَ مِنْ دُوْنِ ذُلِكَ فَتْحًا قَرِيْبًا (٢٧) بُوَ الَّذِى أَرْسَلَ
رَسُؤْلَهَ بِالْهُكَ وَ دِيْنِ الْحَقِّ لِيُظْهِرَةُ عَلَى الدِّيْنِ كُلِّم ◌َ* وَ كَفَى بِاللهِ شَهِيْدًا (٢٨٠) مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوْلُ اللهِ * وَ
الَّذِيْنَ مَعَهَ اشِدَّاءُ عَلَى الْكُفَّارِ رُحَمَاءُ بَيْنَهُمْ تَرُبِهُمْ رُكَّعًا سُجَّدًا يَّبْتَغُوْنَ فَضْلًا مِّنَ اللهِ وَ رِضْوَانًا ◌ْ سِيْمَابُمْ
فِى وُجُوْبِهِمْ مِّنْ آَثَرِ السُّجُوْدِ * ذَلِكَ مَثَلُهُمْ فِى التَّوْرِيةِ 055 وَ مَثَلُهُمْ فِىِ الْإِنْجِيْلِ وَضْهْ كَزَرْعٍ أَخْرَجَ
شَطْئَةَ فَازَرَةً فَاسْتَغْلَظَ فَاسْتَوَى عَلَى سُوْقِهِ يُعْجِبُ الزُّرَّاعَ لِيَغِيْظَ بِهِمُ الْكُفَّارَ * وَعَدَ اللهُ الَّذِيْنَ أَمِّنُوْا وَ
عَمِلُوا الصَّلِحُتِ مِنْهُمْ مَّغْفِرَةً وَّ أَجْرًا عَظِيْمًا (٢٩)
1131

TRANSLATION: In the name of Allaah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
Indeed, We have granted you (O Rasulullaah p) a clear victory (through the Treaty of
Hudaybiyyah because after this treaty large numbers of people accepted Islaam and it led to the
conquest of Makkah. Allaah granted this victory to Rasulullaah p so that he may be greatly rewarded
for the many people entering the fold of Islaam and together with this,) So that Allaah may forgive
you (O Rasulullaah p) for your past shortcomings and those that may occur in the future;
and so that He may complete His favour on you, guide you on the straight path and (so
that) Allaah may grant you assistance that is most powerful (with which you can never be
defeated). It is He Who sends tranquillity (determination to fight the Kuffaar and tolerance to
bear the superficial humiliation of having the conditions of the treaty against them) into the hearts
of the Mu'mineen so that their Imaan increases together with the Imaan they (already)
have. The armies of the heavens and the earth belong to Allaah (and He uses them to assist
whoever He wills) and Allaah is Ever All Knowing, the Wise (He knows the hidden reasons for
everything). (Allaah had also granted Rasulullaah p this victory) So that (because of it) He may
admit the Mu'mineen men and women into Jannaat beneath which rivers flow. They will
live there forever and He shall (also) pardon them for their sins. This is the great success
in Allaah's sight. (Allaah had also granted Rasulullaah p this victory) So that Allaah may punish
the Munaafiqeen men and women as well as the Mushrikeen men and women, all of
whom hold an evil opinion of Allaah (by committing Shirk and thinking that Allaah will never
assist the Muslims). An evil calamity shall befall them (in this world and certainly in the Aakhirah
when they are punished in Jahannam), Allaah is angry with them, curses them and has
prepared Jahannam for them. What an evil place to return to! The armies of the heavens
and the earth belong to Allaah and Allaah is always the Mighty and Wise. Verily We have
sent you (O Rasulullaah p) as a witness (to testify to the actions of people on the Day of
Qiyaamah), a carrier of good news (to the Mu'mineen) and a warner (to the Kuffaar). (We have
sent Rasulullaah p) So that you (O people) believe in Allaah, believe in His Rasool, assist Him
(His Deen), revere Him and glorify Him morning and evening.
(Referring to the Sahabah w who vowed to fight to death beside
Rasulullaah p at Hudaybiyyah, Allaah says,) Indeed those who
pledge their allegiance to you (O Rasulullaah p) they really
pledge their allegiance to Allaah (because they do this to please
Allaah). Allaah's hand is above theirs (when they take the pledge
because Allaah approves of it). So whoever breaches (the pledge)
does so to his own detriment (because only he will suffer the
consequences). Allaah will soon grant a tremendous reward to
the one who fulfils the pledge that he makes with Allaah. Soon
the (Munaafiqeen) villagers left behind (when the Muslims
proceeded to Hudaybiyyah) will tell you (O Rasulullaah p, when you
return to Madinah), "Our wealth and families have preoccupied
us, so seek forgiveness on our behalf." They utter with their
tongues that which is not within their hearts (they pretend to be
1132

Muslims when they are not). Say, "Who has any power against
Allaah if He intends any harm to afflict you or if He intends any
good to come to you? No (none has the power). Allaah is Ever
Aware of what you do (and will punish you for your sins).
However, the fact (the actual reason for which you did not proceed
with the Muslims) is that you people thought that the Rasool p
and the Mu'mineen will never return to their families (but will be
killed by the Mushrikeen). This (thought) has been adorned in your
hearts and you entertained evil thoughts (about Allaah and the
Muslims). (Because of this) You were ever a destroyed nation
(since only destruction awaits you in the Aakhirah). Whoever does
not believe in Allaah and His Rasool p (should know that) We have
certainly prepared a blazing fire for the Kuffaar. To Allaah
belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth. He forgives
whoever He wills and punishes whoever He wills. Allaah is Oft
Forgiving, Most Merciful (so hasten to seek His forgiveness). Soon,
when you (Muslims) proceed to take possession of booty (when
you march to conquer Khaybar), those (Munaafiqeen) left behind
(during the journey to Hudaybiyyah) will say, "Allow us to follow
you." They wish to alter Allaah's speech (His command that only
those who proceeded to Hudaybiyyah should march with Rasulullaah
p). Tell them, "You may never follow us! Thus has Allaah stated
from before." They will then say (to others behind your back),
"You people are merely jealous of us (and therefore wish to have
everything for yourselves)." In fact, they understand but a little
(they fail to understand that the Muslims who marched to Hudaybiyyah
deserved to receive the booty of Khaybar because they had risked their
lives for Allaah's pleasure).
Tell those villagers who were left behind, " (Do not despair if you cannot fight in
Khaybar because) You will soon be called to (fight against) a nation of immense
strength whom you will fight or who will accept Islaam (without a fight). If you
obey (the call and march in Jihaad), Allaah will accord you a grand reward, but if
you turn away like you did in the past, Allaah will inflict a painful punishment
on you."
(This punishment will be for those who refuse to march in Jihaad when
they are physically able to do so. However,) There shall be no sin for
the blind, no sin for the paralysed and no sin for the ill (for not
fighting in Jihaad because they are excused). Allaah will enter those
who obey Him and His Rasool p into Jannaat beneath which
1133

rivers flow. As for those who turn away, He will inflict them
with a painful punishment.
Allaah was well pleased with the Mu'mineen (the Sahabah y) when they pledged
their allegiance to you (O Rasulullaah p) beneath the tree (at Hudaybiyyah). Allaah
knew what was in their hearts, sent tranquillity to them (causing them to accept
Allaah's commands without hesitation) and rewarded them with a victory close at
hand (when they conquered Khaybar soon after signing the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah) and
(Allaah will also reward them with) abundant spoils of war that they will take (after
conquering Khaybar). Allaah is always Mighty, Wise. Allaah promises you
abundant spoils of war that you can have (without much difficulty). He will grant it
to you very soon and restrain people's hands from you (by placing fear for you in
their hearts so that they do not put up a great fight and no harm comes to you). This is
to be a sign for the Mu'mineen (to strengthen their faith in Allaah's promise of
assistance) and so that Allaah may guide you to (a further position on) the straight
path. There are still others (other victories) that you are not yet been able to
attain (but will do so in future) which are well within Allaah's power. Allaah has
always had power over everything. If the Kuffaar were to fight you (in battle
instead of signing the treaty), they would turn their backs (and flee from the
battlefield) and then not find any ally or helper. This (practice of granting eventual
victory to the Mu'mineen) has been Allaah's practice that has passed from before
and you will not find any change in Allaah's practice. It is Allaah Who restrained
their hands from (fighting) you and your hands from (fighting) them right in
Makkah (at Hudaybiyyah) after granting you dominance over them (when the
Muslims captured fifty Mushrikeen who intended to attack them). Allaah is always
Watchful over what you do (and makes events happen for the best. Therefore,
although the Muslims would have defeated the Mushrikeen had a battle been fought,
Allaah knew of more benefit in the treaty and did not allow a battle to take place). They
(the Mushrikeen of Makkah) are the ones who committed kufr, prevented you
(Muslims) from (performing Umrah at) the Masjidul Haraam and (prevented) the
sacrificial animals (which the Muslims brought to be sacrificed after Umrah), (leaving
them) restrained (prevented) from reaching their destination (where they were to be
sacrificed). If it were not for your trampling (unintentionally harming) many Muslim
men and many Muslim women (in Makkah) about whom you were unaware and
then unknowingly suffering harm on their account (for harming them), the matter
would have been concluded (you would have been allowed to fight the Mushrikeen).
(However, a battle did not take place) So that Allaah enters whoever He wills into
His mercy (by allowing them to accept Islaam). If they (these Muslim men and women
still in Makkah) were to separate (from the Mushrikeen of Makkah), We would inflict a
painful punishment on the Kuffaar of Makkah (by allowing the Muslims to kill or
capture them in battle). When the Kuffaar (of Makkah) took the prejudice within
1134

their hearts, (which was) the prejudice of the period of ignorance (because of
which they did not permit the writer of the treaty to write "Rasulullaah p", but
"Muhammad the son of Abdullaah" instead); Allaah sent His tranquillity (tolerance) to
the heart of His Rasool p and to the hearts of the Mu'mineen (because of which
they did not fight about it) and stuck the word of Taqwa (the Kalimah) onto them
(because of which they obeyed Allaah's command to be calm) as they are most
deserving of it and worthy of it. Allaah always has knowledge of everything.
(Referring to the dream in which Rasulullaah p saw himself performing Umrah, Allaah
says,) Verily, Allaah shall make the dream of His Rasool p come precisely true
(even though the Mushrikeen of Makkah prevented Rasulullaah p from entering Makkah).
When Allaah wills, you (Sahabah y with Rasulullaah p) shall definitely enter the
Masjidul Haraam in peace with your hair shaved or trimmed (after completing the
Umrah) without any fear. Allaah had knowledge of that about which you were
unaware and (among the things He knew was that He) has decreed a near victory (at
Khaybar) even before this (entry into the Masjidul Haraam). It is Allaah Who has sent
His Rasool p with guidance and with the true Deen to make it dominate over all
religions. Allaah suffices as a Witness (to the truthfulness of Rasulullaah p and Islaam
even though the Kuffaar refuse to accept). Muhammad & is Allaah's Rasool and those
with him (the Sahabah y) are stern against the Kuffaar and (yet) compassionate
among themselves. You will see them sometimes bowing (in Ruku), sometimes
prostrating (in Sajdah, always) seeking Allaah's bounty and His pleasure. Their
hallmark (by which they are recognised) is on their faces because of the effect of
prostration (referring to the illumination and humility apparent on their faces). This is
their description in the Torah. Their description in the Injeel (Bible) is like that of
a plant that sprouts its shoots and strengthens it, after which it becomes thick
and stands on its own stem, pleasing the farmer. (Allaah has nurtured the Sahabah
w in this manner) So that the Kuffaar may be enraged by them (because of their
animosity for Islaam and for the Sahabah w). Allaah has promised forgiveness and a
grand reward for those of them who have Imaan and who do good deeds.
1135

Lessons and Conclusions
The Reverence of the Muslims for Resulullah p
One of the negotiators whom the Kuffaar sent was Urwah bin Mas'ood Thaqafi,
who had not yet accepted Islaam by then. Rasulullaah p told him exactly what
he had mentioned to Budayl, to which Urwah said, "O Muhammad &! If you wish
to destroy all the Arabs, you cannot possibly do so, since none before you has
ever succeeded. On the contrary, if the Arabs get the upper hand, then all these
persons around you will leave you all alone in times of difficulty because they are
all people of little worth."
Hadhrat Abu Bakr t, who was standing close by, was infuriated at this
statement and retorted by saying, "Go and lick the shameful parts of your
goddess Laat! We will never desert Rasulullaah p and leave him by himself."
"Who is he?" Urwa asked. When Rasulullaah p informed him that it was Hadhrat
Abu Bakr t, Urwa addressed Hadhrat Abu Bakr t and said, "Had I not been
indebted to you for a good turn you have done to me in the past, I would have
certainly replied to your abuse."
Urwah then continued his discussions with Rasulullaah p and occasionally
touched the beard of Rasulullaah p, as was the custom of the Arabs to indicate
goodwill. However, the Sahabah w could not tolerate this and it was Urwa's own
nephew Hadhrat Mughierah bin Shu'bah t who struck Urwa's hand with the
handle of his sword to indicate to him that he should keep his hand away.
1136

"Who is he?" Urwa asked as he looked at Hadhrat Mughierah t who was fully
armed and wearing a helmet. "He is Mughierah," Rasulullaah p replied.
Addressing Hadhrat Mughierah t, Urwa exclaimed, "You betrayer! How dare you
mistreat someone who is still suffering for your crime!" (Urwa was referring to
the fact that he had paid the blood money on his behalf of Hadhrat Mughierah t,
who had killed a few Kuffaar before the coming of Islaam). During his long
discourse with Rasulullaah p, Urwa had been quietly observing the behaviour of
the Sahabah w towards Rasulullaah p. When he returned to Quraysh in Makkah,
he said to them, "I have been an envoy to many great kings and have seen the
courts of the emperors of Rome, Persia and Abyssinia, where I have observed
their manners. By Allaah! I have never seen people around a guide so
respectful to him as I found the companions of Muhammad & to be. When he
spits, the person receiving the sputum uses it to anoint his body and face with
it. When he speaks, they all race to fulfil his wish and when he makes wudhu,
they vie with one another to collect the used water before it falls on the
ground and then fight over whom to distribute it to. If anyone fails to get that
water, he touches the wet hands of someone who managed to get some and
then rubs his hands on his face. When they speak in his presence, they speak in
low voice and never lift their gaze to look at his face because of their respect
for him. A hair falling from his head or beard is preserved to get blessings from
it and then treat it with tremendous reverence. To state it briefly, I have never
seen any group of people love their master as much as I have seen the
companions of Muhammad & love him."
The Wisdom Hidden within the Treaty
When then treaty had been drawn up, the Muslims were disappointed and could
not see the hidden benefits that Allaah and Rasulullaah p saw in it. There were
two clauses in particular that worried and troubled the Muslims. These were:
1137

1. The clause stating that any person from Makkah who became
a Muslim and left for Madinah without the permission of his
guardian would be promptly returned to Makkah. On the
contrary, any person from Madinah who absconded to
Makkah did not need to be sent back.
2. The clause stating that the Muslims would return to Madinah
that year without performing Umrah and could return only
the following year, when they would be allowed only three
days
While dissatisfaction about the second clause was eliminated when Rasulullaah
p reminded the Sahabah w that the dream of performing Umrah could easily be
referring to the following year, the wisdom in the second clause was not so
apparent. The wisdom and benefits of the Treaty were seen only as the months
went by.
The famous Muhaddith Imaam Zuhri al was, writes that the Treaty of
Hudaybiyyah can be counted as the first of the major victories that the
Muslims attained. The first reason is that the treaty assured the Muslims peace
and safety for the first time because it prohibited the danger of the Muslims
being attacked by the Mushrikeen of Makkah at any time. The Muslims were
now free to interact and even do business with the Mushrikeen of Makkah,
because of which thoughts and ideas could also be exchanged freely. The result
of this free interaction was that the Mushrikeen were exposed to the truth of
Islaam and during the first two years of the treaty more people converted to
Islaam than during the previous years.
1138

The historian Ibn Hishaam ail was, has echoed the words of Imaam Zuhri al wasy when
he writes, "When Rasulullaah p left Madinah on the occasion of Hudaybiyyah,
he was accompanied by 1400 Sahabah y. However, when he left for the
conquest of Makkah just two years later, there were 10000 Sahabah \ with
him."615
Haafidh Ibn Hajar &l was, writes that it was the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah which paved
the way for the conquest of Makkah. This was because the peace between the
Muslims of Madinah and the Mushrikeen of Makkah allowed people to travel
between the two cities and interact with each other. It was during this period of
peace that great Muslim conquerors like Hadhrat Khaalid bin Waleed t and
Hadhrat Amr bin Al Aas t accpeted Islaam.
When asked about the prejudiced clauses of the treaty, Rasulullaah p
commented that the Muslims who forsook Islaam and fled to Makkah were
people whom the Muslims did not need and whom Allaah had cast out of His
mercy (thereby saving the Muslims from their evil). As for the Muslims who
wanted to leave Makkah and come to Madinah, Rasulullaah p assured the
Muslims that Allaah would soon create an escape for them (In addition to this,
the presence of such people in Makkah created the opportunity for the
propagation of Islaam to continue in Makkah).
The incident of Hadhrat Abu Baseer t vividly illustrates how Allaah created the
escape for these brave men. It is reported that after the incident at
Hudaybiyyah, Rasulullaah p returned to Madinah where a Muslim from the
Quraysh called Abu Baseer t came to him. However, the Quraysh had dispatched
two men to Madinah to get him back. Rasulullaah p therefore handed him over
615 Fat'hul Baari (Vol.7 Pg.355).
1139