Hudaibyah Treaty

Hudaibyah treaty and Conquest of Makkah:
The incident of Hudaibiyah reserves in history a significant phase of Islam when

Muslims got an opportunity to unexpectedly notch gains from the jaws of an apparent
defeat.
It was the sixth year of Hijrah since the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his
supporters had left the beloved city of Makkah. They were eager to visit the holy Kaaba
and perform tawaf (circumambulation).
The pagans of Makkah had meanwhile confronted Muslims three times in the Battle of
Badr, Battle of Uhud, and the Battle of Trench. And despite winning in at least two of
the battles (in Uhud, they had to retreat), Muslims were still not strong enough to dare
counter attack on the large force of the Makkan pagans.
The Hudaibiyah encounter occurred meanwhile that not only gave Muslims courage to
go ahead with the mission, but it also tested their courage and faith in Islam.
Six years after Hijrah, in 628 CE, the holy Prophet (peace be upon him) dreamt that he
and his followers were entering Makkah and performing tawaf. It was a good sign and
hence he declared his plan to visit Makkah to perform Umrah.
Over 1,400 Muslims donned ihram with him from Madinah. They took 70 camels with
them for sacrifice. As per the established practice, the Makkans were bound to allow
pilgrims coming — but without arms — to perform Umrah. But, alarmed by the huge
Muslim presence, the Quraish leaders decided not to allow them from entering the city
and sent Khaled Bin Walid with 200 fighters to stop them defying the centuries-old Arab
tradition.
The holy Prophet (peace be upon him) changed the route of Taneem to avoid
confrontation and came to a lesser-known place called Hudaibiyah on the western edge
of the city.
Determined not to allow Muslims enter the city, Makkans sent Urwah bin Masud to
negotiate with the Prophet. Highly impressed with the scenes of Prophet’s love among
his followers, Urwah said, “I have visited the royal courts of the Persians, Roman and
Ethiopian kingdoms, but I have never seen the kind of respect and high esteem as the
followers of Mohammad have for him. They have come only for worship. Let them enter
the holy city.” But the Makkan leaders were bent upon preventing the Muslims.
The holy Prophet (peace be upon him) later sent Uthman bin Affan who had good
contacts in Makkah but they detained him and spread a rumor to upset the Muslims
that Uthman has been killed. This was a great challenge. Though 400 km away from his
city and having no proper arms to fight, he prepared for a war like situation and called
his followers to prepare for fight unto death. The people rushed to take an oath of
allegiance on his pious hand and within short time the news reached Makkah that 1400
volunteers were ready to fight unto death. This broke their morale and Makkans agreed
to discuss terms of peace with him.
They released Uthman and sent Sohayl bin Amr Al-Thaqafi to negotiate the terms of
peace with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Sohayl (later embraced
Islam) was very tough in dealings. He reached the following terms:
In the name of Almighty Allah.
These are the conditions of peace between Muhammad, son of Abdullah, and Suhayl
Ibn Amr the envoy of Makkah:
1. There will be an armistice between the two parties and no fighting for the next 10
years.
2. Any person or tribe who wishes to join Muhammad and to enter into any agreement
with him is free to do so. Likewise any person or tribe who wishes to join the Quraish
and to enter into any agreement with them is free to do so.
3. If any Makkan went to Madinah, then Muslims would return him to Makkah, but if
any Muslim from Madinah went to Makkah, he would not be returned.
4. If any young man, or one whose father is alive, goes to Muhammad without
permission from his father or guardian, will be returned to his father or guardian. But if
anyone goes to the Quraish of Makkah, will not be returned.
5. This year the Muslims will go back without entering Makkah. But next year
Muhammad and his followers can enter Makkah, spend three days and perform the
Umrah.
Apparently, it was an agreement that went against the wishes of the Muslims, but later
it turned out to be a great victory for Muslims.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) showed extreme patience by accepting all these
terms as dictated. This treaty is known as the Treaty of Hudaibiyah. It was one of the
most outstanding events and proved to be a turning point in the Islamic history.
Few of those present there could visualize the victory of the treaty based on the
Prophet’s farsightedness. The first gain of the Treaty was that hostile Makkan
leadership recognized Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) as a leader of the
Madinah state. Secondly, the Treaty terminated the hostile behavior of Quraish against
Muslims. Now they were allowed to move freely and talk openly about Islam. Thirdly,
Muslims were equally allowed to make alliances with other tribes. Fourthly, 10 years
armistice with Quraish provided a unique opportunity to preach Islam and to deal with
their rivals in other parts of the peninsula. Very soon they conquered the Jewish
stronghold of Khyber.
The most irritating conditions of the treaty were the clause Nos. 3 & 5; but the Prophet
(peace be upon him) simplified them by saying that if a Muslim flees from us to Makkah
we don’t need him and if a Makkan Muslim comes to us in Madinah we shall return him
and he will preach Islam there. Regarding performing Umrah this year, Muslims
received a written guarantee to perform it next year peacefully. The holy Prophet
(peace be upon him) was determined to avoid bloodshed in the holy city and he
succeeded fully in establishing it. Commenters have viewed the treaty as a masterpiece
of his wisdom and farsightedness.
It was really a great triumph of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him). After the
peaceful armistice at Hudaibiyah, Islam increased in leap and bounds. Muslims had full
liberty to preach Islam. Three battles of Quraish against Muslims were lost.
The people realized the eventual triumph of Islam. They entered the fold of Islam in
thousands. The following year when the holy Prophet returned to perform Umrah, there
were 2,000 pilgrims with him instead of 1400 earlier.
When the Prophet returned from Hudaibiya, he received the Divine revelation that
Almighty Allah had put a seal of honor on this treaty and called it "Fatah Al-Mubeen"
(Manifest Victory) in the Qur'an. (48:01) He also rewarded His pleasure to those who
took oath of allegiance under a tree, which is called Bait Ridwan and termed that Allah’s
protection was upon the hand of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
After concluding the treaty, the holy Prophet told the followers to slaughter sacrificial
animals at the same place and get their head shaved to come out of ihram. But the
people were so dejected that they delayed the compliance. The Prophet (peace be upon
him) felt it and entered the tent and told his accompanying wife, Umm Salma, about
people’s reluctance.
She politely advised, “The people are in shock to lose their Umrah and entry to the holy
city. You do as planned. They will follow you.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) came
out, slaughtered his camels and got his head shaved. Subsequently, the people
followed him and they all set out towards Madinah. Thus the wisdom of Ummul
Momenin, Umm Salma, solved a tedious problem.
When Sohail was signing the treaty, a young Muslim in chains appeared in the Muslim
camp and cried for help and his release. Sohail recognized him. It was his own son
known as Abu Jandal. Sohail cried, “Here is the test of this treaty you cannot take this
man as per clause no. 4. You have to return it to me.” The holy Prophet agreed and
consoled Abu Jandal, “We have just concluded a treaty with Quraish in the name of
Allah and we honor it. Be patient and resign yourself to the will of Allah. He will provide
you relief.” Abu Jandal was handed over to his father but he escaped from Makkah and
after some time and stayed in desert.
Another Muslim, Utba, known as Abul Baseer, fled from Makkah and made his hiding in
the Red Sea coast. Abu Jandal and many other runaways joined him and posed a threat
to the passing trade caravans of the Quraish.
Ultimately the Quraish requested the Prophet (peace be upon him) to abrogate this
clause and call these brave Muslims back to Madinah. The Prophet sent a letter to Abul
Baseer, who was much delighted to receive it but he was on death bed and died there.
However Abu Jandal and other 70 mujahedeen returned to Madinah praying for Abul
Baseer who had provided a shelter to them.
The Hudaibiyah Treaty proved to be a prelude to the Conquest of Makkah. As per the
agreement, Banu Bakr tribe joined Al-Quraish and Banu Khaza’a entered into alliance
with the Prophet. But they both had long history of enmity between them. Just after 20
months, Banu Bakr attacked Banu Khaza’a in Sha'ban, 8AH. They killed many persons
and their chief, Nofel, did not spare them even inside the holy city. The Quraish also
supported them with men and arms. Amr bin Salem of Banu Khaza’a with 20 men
rushed to Madinah and advised the holy Prophet with real situation. The Prophet (peace
be upon him) again rose high to the challenge.
He sent a word to Quraish, pay ransom for the persons killed or terminate your alliance
with Banu Bakr or treat the Hudaibiyah Treaty as abrogated. The Quraish arrogantly
replied we shall neither pay ransom nor terminate our alliance with Banu Bakr but are
ready to abrogate the treaty with you. The holy Prophet stood to the challenge. But he
wanted to avoid bloodshed in Harem territory at every cost. He made a secret plan to
surround Makkah in surprise with a large force so that Makkans could surrender without
a fight. It was a super strategy. He declared war preparations without naming the
destination. Muslim tribes rushed to Madinahh in Ramadhan (8AH). Various northern
tribes had entered the fold of Islam in these 20 months after the conquest of Khyber
and Taima. Muslim volunteers came in thousands. The famous tribes of Aslam, Sulaim,
Ghifar, Muzaina, Ashjaa, and Juhaina joined the Islamic force. Muslim forces marched
towards Makkah and camped at Marr Zahran. They surrounded the holy city on 7
Ramadhan. The Quraish were perplexed with this sudden attack. Muslims also sealed all
the routes of escape. The holy Prophet declared a general amnesty and the whole city
surrendered to him on 10 Ramadhan (6AH) without bloodshed (except a few by Khalid
bin Waleed) This was a great gift of Hudaibiyah Treaty.
It was also a matter of great significance that great warriors and arch enemies of Islam
realized the situation and embraced Islam after Hudaibiyah treaty and before the
conquest of Makkah. These included Prophet's uncle Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib; Abu
Sufyan the CNC of Quraish; Khalid bin Waleed, the great conqueror; and Amr ibn al
Aas, the later conqueror of Egypt. Later, Ikrema bin Abu Jehal, Uteba bin Abi Lahab,
Safwan bin Umayyah, Kaab bin Zuhair, Sohail bin Amr, Hakim bin Hizam, Wahshi the
killer of Hamza and Hindah bint Rabia, the cruel lady embraced Islam. Practically there
remained no enemy of Islam in Makkah. The Makkan leadership which banned his entry
to the city in 6 AH welcomed him as their head within 22 months. This was a great
achievement of Hudaibiyah.
Thus were the important events connected with an unknown place called Hudaibiyah
near Makkah Al-Mukarramah. Later people visited this historical place and a mosque
was erected at the place where holy Prophet (peace be upon him) offered prayers
during his stay. This mosque near Shumaisi lies about 20 km away from Makkah on the
old road leading to Jeddah. When you visit this place, think about the people who took
an oath under an acacia tree to sacrifice their lives for the sake of Islam and pray for
them.

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What was the incident at Hudaibiyah and its significance?

What were the terms of the Hudaibiyah treaty?

Hudaibyah treaty and Conquest of Makkah:

The incident of Hudaibiyah reserves in history a significant phase of Islam when

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