The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah: A Turning Point in Islamic History
The Prophet’s Dream and the Journey Toward Makkah
In the sixth year after Hijrah (628 CE), the Prophet Muhammad (ï·º) had a divinely inspired dream that he and his companions were entering Makkah peacefully, performing Umrah, shaving their heads, and shortening their hair. Since the dreams of Prophets are revelations from Allah, the Prophet (ï·º) took it as a command to set out for Umrah.
Preparation for the Journey
The Prophet (ï·º) announced the Umrah journey publicly.
About 1,400 to 1,500 companions joined him.
They dressed in Ihram, clearly showing they came as peaceful pilgrims, not warriors.
The Prophet (ï·º) took sacrificial animals (Hadi) to further emphasize their peaceful intentions.
This moment was filled with hope and anticipation. After six years of exile, the Muslims were finally going to return to the Sacred House of Allah.
The Quraysh’s Hostility and the Prophet’s Tactical Route Change
When the Quraysh heard that the Muslims were approaching Makkah, they panicked and saw it as a threat. They sent Khalid ibn Al-Walid with 200 cavalry to block the Muslims. The Prophet (ï·º) changed his route to avoid conflict, even though it was rough and tiring. The Muslims finally stopped at Hudaybiyyah, about 22 km (14 miles) from Makkah, and set up camp.
At this point, their water supply ran low, and the companions began to feel restless and uncertain. Seeing this, the Prophet (ï·º) took an arrow, placed it into a dried-up well, and water miraculously gushed forth.
Diplomatic Efforts and the Quraysh’s Stubbornness
The Prophet (ï·º) sent several envoys to convince the Quraysh that the Muslims had come only for Umrah:
Budayl ibn Warqa' from the Khuza'ah tribe — but the Quraysh refused to listen.
Mikraz ibn Hafs — another failure.
‘Urwah ibn Mas’ud ath-Thaqafi — he spoke with the Prophet (ï·º) and was amazed by the devotion of the Sahabah.
‘Urwah’s Testimony About the Sahabah’s Love for the Prophet (ï·º)
When ‘Urwah returned, he told the Quraysh:
“I have been to the courts of kings—Caesar, Chosroes, and the Negus—but never have I seen any leader more revered by his followers than Muhammad is by his companions. When he makes ablution, they rush to catch the drops of his water. When he speaks, they lower their voices and gaze at him in awe.”
Despite this, the Quraysh remained stubborn.
The Uthman (رضي الله عنه) Incident: A False Rumor of His Killing
The Prophet (ï·º) sent Uthman ibn Affan (ï·º), hoping his respected family ties in Makkah would help. The Quraysh detained Uthman, refusing to let him see the Ka'bah. A false rumour spread that Uthman had been killed.
Upon hearing this, the Prophet (ï·º) took a solemn pledge of allegiance from his companions under a tree.
Bay’at al-Ridwan: The Pledge of Allegiance
The Prophet (ï·º) placed his own hand in for Uthman, saying, “This is for Uthman.” Allah later praised this moment in the Qur’an:
"Indeed, Allah was pleased with the believers when they gave their Bai'ah (pledge) to you (O Muhammad) under the tree." (Surah Al-Fath 48:18)
Later, it was discovered that Uthman was alive, and tensions cooled.
The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah: A Test of Patience
The Quraysh finally sent Suhail ibn Amr to negotiate a treaty.
The Terms of the Treaty
The Muslims would not enter Makkah this year but could return next year for only three days.
A 10-year peace treaty was established.
Any Makkans who became Muslim and migrated to Madinah must be returned to the Quraysh. However, if a Muslim left Madinah for Makkah, the Muslims could not take them back.
Arab tribes were free to ally with either the Muslims or the Quraysh.
The Prophet’s (ï·º) Name Erased from the Treaty
Ali ibn Abi Talib (ï·º) wrote:
"This is what Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, has agreed upon with Suhail ibn Amr."
Suhail objected:
"If we believed you were the Messenger of Allah, we wouldn’t be fighting you."
The Prophet (ï·º) told Ali to erase "Messenger of Allah." Ali (ï·º) hesitated out of love. The Prophet (ï·º) erased it himself and wrote “Muhammad, the son of Abdullah.”
The Sahabah’s Emotional Struggle and Their Anguish
The companions were heartbroken. Umar ibn Al-Khattab (ï·º) was especially troubled. He questioned Abu Bakr:
"Are we not on the truth? Are they not upon falsehood?"
Abu Bakr (ï·º) replied:
"Indeed, we are upon the truth. But obey him, for he is the Messenger of Allah."
Scholarly Perspectives on Their Emotional Struggle
Ibn Taymiyyah interpreted the Sahabah’s hesitation not as disobedience but as a profound emotional struggle. He explained that their deep yearning to perform Umrah and their distress over the treaty's terms momentarily clouded their immediate compliance.
Similarly, Ibn Kathir noted that the companions’ love for the Prophet (ï·º) led them to hope for a change in the situation, reflecting their deep emotional investment in the pilgrimage.
These scholarly interpretations shed light on the Sahabah's initial hesitation, attributing it to human emotions and the challenging circumstances they faced, rather than labelling it as outright disobedience.
Islam Spreads Rapidly During the Peace Period
Although it seemed like a setback, the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah actually led to Islam’s greatest expansion. The Prophet (ï·º) sent letters to various rulers, and many Arab tribes embraced Islam.
Two key Quraysh generals—Khalid ibn Al-Walid and Amr ibn Al-As—accepted Islam.
The Ultimate Victory
On the way back to Madinah, Allah revealed:
"Indeed, we have given you a clear victory." (Surah Al-Fath 48:1)
Umar (ï·º) was confused: "What kind of victory is this?"
Later, he realized that Islam had spread more in two years of peace than in 19 years of conflict.
Lessons from Hudaybiyyah
Trust Allah’s plan—what seemed like a loss was a strategic victory.
Obey the Prophet (ï·º) completely—the Sahabah’s hesitation was later corrected by revelation.
Peace can be more powerful than war—Islam spread more through the treaty than through battle.
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