Some Important diplomatic activates of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

1. Hilf al-fudul: First diplomatic activity in which Prophet (PBUH) was involved.

The Hilful Fudul was perhaps the first attempt of Muhammad (the prophet of Islam) to resolve the conflict
by peaceful means. Near Mecca there is a place known as Ukaz where an annual fair was held during the
month of Dhul-Qa’dah when bloodshed and fighting were prohibited. Once a war broke out between the
tribes of Quraysh, Banu Kinanah and the Qais ‘Aylan. This bloody war continued for ten years (580 to 590
AD)15. Many precious lives were lost during the war; uncertainty and insecurity prevailed in society. These
circumstances forced peace loving people to take some action. Therefore, a committee for peace called
Hiful Fuzul was formed and an oath for peace was taken among the conflicting tribes. The Prophet of Islam
Muhammad (P.B.U.H) participated actively in this peace agreement. Muhammad (P.B.U.H) always felt
proud that he had been present at the house of Ibn Zadan at the time of agreement. He further said that
he would rather participate in this type of peace agreement than accept an offer of a precious gift of red
camels.

2. Incident of Erection of Hajar al-Aswad: A great example of good arbitration of Prophet Muhammad
(P.B.U.H) showing how he saved the antagonistic Arab tribes from a violent clash.

Muhammad (P.B.U.H) had displayed the quality of a good arbitrator while settling the dispute that had
arisen on the issue of erection of the holy Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad). He resolved the bloody conflict at
the age of 35. The problem emerged on the reconstruction of Kaba. When rebuilding of Kaba became
necessary due to flooding, the construction works were equally divided between Arab tribes. However, at
the time of erection of the Black Stone (Hajar al-Aswad), a disagreement emerged because every chief of
tribe wanted to enjoy the honor of erection of the holy Stone in its place. The issue became so serious
that chances of bloody clash increased and no tribe was ready to sacrifice for peace. At last a decision was
made that the very first one to pass through the gate of al-Suffah would be their arbitrator to resolve the
issue. Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was the first man to enter through the gate. Seeing him, the people at once
accepted him as their arbitrator without any hesitation. Muhammad (P.B.U.H) examined the situation and
sensitivity of the issue He took a sheet, tied a piece of rope at the edge of the sheet, placed the holy Black
Stone in the middle of it and said to representatives of every tribe to hold the rope and take it to its place.
Finally, Muhammad (P.B.U.H) erected the Hajar al-Aswad (holy Stone) at its place. This incident is also a
great example of good arbitration of Muhammad (P.B.U.H) showing how he saved the antagonistic Arab
tribes from a violent clash.

3. Migration to Abyssinia: Selection of Abyssinia as place to take refuge and Selection of Hazrat Jafar
Tayar (R.A) as an ambassador, both shows great diplomatic insight of Prophet (PBUH).

In 610 AD, at the age of 40, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) started preaching Islam. The Makkans not only
rejected his message but also started persecuting the early converts to Islam. In 615 AD, when persecution
of Muslims reached beyond bearable, the Prophet (PBUH) allowed a group of 15 Muslims, under the
leadership of Hazrat Jafar Tayyar (RA) to migrate to Abyssinia. The ruler of Abyssinia “Negus” provided
safety and refuge to the Muslim migrants. Encouraged by that, one year later a larger group of Muslims
consisting of 101 men and women migrated to Abyssinia. The infidels of Makkah sent a deputation to
persuade Negus to expel Muslims from his kingdom but the selected ambassador of the Holy Prophet
(PBUH), Hazrat Jafar Tayyar (RA), exhibited great diplomatic skills in negotiations with Negus and proved
himself worthy to the task. He recited initial verses of Surah Maryam (Mary) in the court of Negus. Upon
hearing those verses, Negus said, “Certainly this and what Jesus (Isa) had brought come out of one niche”.
From diplomatic point of view, selection of Abyssinia for migration was an excellent choice as the Muslims
not only got refuge there but were also able to find a sincere friend in Negus.

4. Al Aqba Pledges: Pledging of travelers to obey Prophet (PBUH), enjoining good and forbidding evil as
well as responding to call to the arms, shows mastery level of diplomatic skills of Prophet (PBUH).

i. First al-Aqba Pledge

In the summer of 620 during the pilgrimage season, six men travelling from Medina came into contact
with Muhammad (PBUH). Having been impressed by his message and character, and thinking that he
could help bring resolution to the problems being faced in Medina, five of the six men returned to Mecca
the following year bringing seven others. Following their conversion to Islam and attested belief in
Muhammad (PBUH) as the messenger of God, the twelve men pledged to obey him and to stay away from
a number of islamically sinful acts. This was known as the "First Pledge of al-`Aqaba."

ii. Second al-Aqba Pledge

Following the pledge, Muhammad (PBUH) decided to send a Muslim "ambassador", Mus`ab ibn `Umair,
to Medina in order to teach people about Islam and invite them to it. Converts to Islam came from nearly
all Arab tribes present in Medina, such that by June of the subsequent year there were seventy-five
Muslims coming to Mecca for pilgrimage and to meet Muhammad (PBUH). Meeting him secretly by night,
the group made what was known as the "Second Pledge of al-`Aqaba", or the "Pledge of War". Conditions
of the pledge, many of which similar to the first, included obedience to Muhammad (PBUH), "enjoining
good and forbidding evil" as well as responding to the call to arms when required.

5. Constitution of Medina (Meethaq e Medina): World’s first written constitution that ensured
fundamental rights to all sections of society and also secured the state from foreign aggression.

In 622 AD, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) migrated to Medina and founded Islam’s first city-state in Medina. A
large number of Jews and idolaters were already living in Medina. Soon after establishing the city-state
the Holy Prophet (PBUH) concluded the Charter of Medina. It was a written agreement that comprised 52
articles. The Muslims, Jews and idolaters were signatories to it. Charter of Medina is a great diplomatic
success of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), as apart from ensuring fundamental rights of all the communities, it
also included clauses for joint/collective security and defense of Medina. It declared that safety/defense
of city-state of Medina in case of foreign aggression would be joint responsibility of all communities
residing in Medina irrespective of their religion, cast and creed.

6. Diplomatic Activity at Treaty of Hudaybiya: A deep diplomatic insight that caused the Makkans to
take Muslims as equal; cessation of Military activity and ultimately led to Conquest of Makkah.

In 628 AD, the Prophet (PBUH) left Medina for Makkah along with 1400 companions for performing
Umrah. But, when they reached ‘Hudaybiya’— a place near Makkah — they came to know that the
Makkans were coming out of city for a war. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) stopped there and sent Hazrat
Usman-e-Ghani as his envoy for holding parleys with the Makkans. After hectic deliberations and
diplomatic maneuvering a written agreement was signed between Muslims and infidels that the history
knows from the name of the Treaty of Hudaybiya. Although many clauses of that agreement were,
apparently, not favorable to Muslims and some companions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) even showed
concerns over those, but on account of their diplomatic viability, the Prophet (PBUH) went on to conclude
that agreement. The benefits according to some historians included that Makkans recognized Muslims as
their equal; a cessation of military activity and gaining the admirations of Makkans who were impressed
by the incorporation of pilgrimage rituals. During his return from Hudaybiya, the Holy Prophet (PBUH)
received revelation of initial verses of Surah Al-Fath (Victory), where Muslims were given good tiding of
clear victory.

7. End of Enmity btw Aws and Khazaraj: Creating a sense of brother hood among tribes with long history
of hostility.

At the time when the Prophet of Islam Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) arrived in Medina, its population
was basically divided into three large groups, namely Jews, Aws and Khazaraj. The two tribes had a long
history of hostility. Before the Hijrah (movement from one place to another for the sake of belief) of
Muhammad (P.B.U.H), they fought many battles. They even fought a bloody war just before the arrival of
Muhammad (P.B.U.H) in Medina. Meanwhile some people of Medina visited Mecca to perform the
pilgrimage. They were influenced by the teaching of Muhammad (P.B.U.H). After that more people came
to Mecca and met him, embraced Islam and accepted Muhammad (P.B.U.H) as their leader, both political
as well as spiritual, taking the oath of al-Aqaba. They assured him that in case of his migration to Medina,
people of Medina would not only support but also protect him. Thus, when he migrated to Medina all
groups, including also the conflicting parties al-Aws and al-Khazaraj, accepted him as their leader and
Muhammad (P.B.U.H) ended their conflict by creating a sense of brotherhood. In this way he succeeded
in maintaining peace among them by mediation on the basis of the concept of brotherhood.

8. Prophet’s correspondence with other rulers: Letters to King of Abyssinia, Egypt, Rome, Damascus,
Emperor of Persia and Governors of Bahrain and Yamama.

The Prophet of Islam also sent many letters to the rulers outside the Arab region to invite them towards
Islam. Some accepted Islam (King of Abyssinia, King of Oman, Governor of Bahrain), some replied with
positive intent without accepting Islam and some enraged with animosity by receiving these letters. Rulers
include Negus of Abyssinia, Heraclius of Rome, Khosrau of Persia, ruler of Egypt and rulers of Yemen and
Yamama.

9. The Prophet’s treatment of envoys from other states: Full impunity and Respect.

Having relieved from dealing with Quraysh, he found opportunity to increase negotiation with the envoys
from other tribes and states. From the year 6 AH, delegates from religious sects, tribes and states thronged
Medina. The delegate bodies sent to Medina increased year after year, and the level of negotiations and
their outcome increased as well. The Prophet welcomed delegates warmly and negotiated with them
honestly and decisively. The envoys who came to meet the Prophet were called Wafd meaning the
delegate body.

i. Guesthouse for envoys:

The Prophet’s behavior consistent with Quranic teachings is highly appreciable as he receives the envoys
and representatives of foreign states as his guests. During their mandate, the delegates enjoyed full
impunity and respect so that they could deliver their message without any limitations. The Prophet
observed certain formalities in welcoming the envoys. He dressed in formal attire and formally welcomed
them. The envoys were received and stayed in Dar-ul-Zeyfan (guesthouse) that was protected and safe,
which is considered as an example of the impunity of diplomatic and consular accommodation.

ii. Giving gifts to envoys:

The Prophet treated the envoys based on their personal status and the status of senders. That is, he
changed the level of relations or negotiations but not respect and treatment. It was customary to give
presents to the envoys. History records examples of the Prophet’s presents to envoys. For instance, the
Prophet donated 500 Dirham to Cesar’s agent in Oman.

10. Other diplomatic acts and norms of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):

i. Diplomats were inviolable and immune.

ii. The Law of Treaty: Agreements or Treaties must be respected otherwise there will be consequences.

(4) Conclusion:
Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) diplomatic career was a touchstone for world people. His diplomatic skill
won him not only to spread Islam in Arabian Peninsula but different parts of the world. In the early time,
Muslims are protected by Negus (Najashi); the Christian ruler of Axum (Abyssinia) is one of the maiden
diplomatic outcomes from the part of prophet. Prophet’s journey to Taif is another diplomatic movement,
where he himself invited them to Islam. Even though at first it was a flop but later they massively
embraced Islam. The Al-Aqba Pledges in AD 620-21 where famous. That was in between Muslims and
Quraysh. It was in two times such as First Al-Aqba Pledge and Second Al-Aqba Pledge. Hudaybiya Treaty
in AD 628 is very important while analyzing prophetic diplomacy. Prophet has written letters to several
leaders and kings in order to invite to the Islam and also seeking help from them. Some of them are the
Negus (Najashi) of Axum (Abyssinia), Heraclius of Byzantine Empire etc.