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SEERAH - THE LIFE HISTORY OF THE HOLY PROPHET MUHAMMAD (S.A.W)

PART 8

43. MUSLIMS PREPARE FOR UMRAH (6 A.H.)

43.1 DREAM OF SAYYIDUNA RASOOLULLAH (SALLAL LAAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM)

It was 6 years since the Muslims left their birth place, Makkatul Mukarramah, and settled in Madinatul Munawwarah. They longed to visit the Holy Kaaba and perform the Tawaaf around it.

One day, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) narrated a dream to his Sahaba - that he was entering Makkatul Mukarramah in Ihram and performing the Tawaaf. They were now sure that Almighty Allah was going to grant them the opportunity of visiting His House, the Holy Kaaba.

43.2 MARCH TO MAKKATUL MUKARRAMAH


On the 1st of Zil Qadah 6 A.H., Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) set off for Makkatul Mukarramah with 1 400 Muslims. They all put on Ihraam with the intention of performing Umrah and making Tawaaf of the Holy Kaaba. Strict orders were given not to carry any weapons. Seventy camels were also taken for sacrifice.

43.3 QURAISH STOP ENTRY OF MUSLIMS

When the Quraish heard that the Muslims were coming to their city, they sent Sayyiduna Khalid bin Walid (radi Allahu anhu), who was not yet a Muslim, and Ikramah to stop the Muslims from entering the city.

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was informed about the plans of the Meccans. As he did not wish to fight with the Kuffar, he changed his route. He camped at a place called Hudaibiyah, a place south of Makkatul Mukarramah.

The Meccan forces, seeing that the Muslims were camped at Hudaibiyah, returned to Makkatul Mukarramah. The Quraish then sent a few spies to the Muslim camp to see what the Muslims were planning. The spies reported to the Meccans that the Muslims had come with the sole intention of making Umrah and had no intention of fighting.

43.4 URWAH'S SPEECH TO THE MECCANS


Not satisfied with the report, the Quraish sent Urwah bin Masood Saqafi to speak to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Urwah went to the Muslim camp in Hudaibiyah. He spoke at length with Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). He was convinced that the Muslims did not come to fight.

When he returned to Makkatul Mukarramah, he told the Meccans that the Muslims had peaceful intentions. He also said: "O men of the Quraish! I have visited Choroes, Caesar and the Negus. By God, I have never seen a king attaching himself to his people as Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) does. When Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) spits, they rush to receive his sputum in their hands before it touches the ground and anoint their faces with it. Hardly a word escapes his lips before all of them run to carry out his wish. When he makes Wudu, they fight with one another to collect some drop of the used water before it falls to the ground. If anyone fails to get that water, he touches the wet hands of the person who had got it and then rubs his own hands on the face. When they speak in his presence, they speak in low voices. They do not lift their gaze to look at his face, out of respect for him. A hair falling from his head or beard is preserved to get blessings from it and is looked upon as a sacred relic. In short, I have never seen any group of people so devoted to their master as I have seen the companions of Muhammad (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) towards him."

43.5 SAYYIDUNA 'UTHMAN (RADI ALLAHU ANHU) SENT TO QURAISH

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) still had intentions of performing the Umrah. He sent Sayyiduna 'Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) to Makkatul Mukarramah to speak to the Quraish. Sayyiduna 'Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) spoke to the Quraish about the possibility of the Muslims performing the Umrah. The Quraish suggested that he make Tawaaf of the Holy Kaaba if he wished. He refused, saying: "I shall never do so until Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) does so himself."

43.6 RUMOUR SPREAD IN MUSLIM CAMP


Sayyiduna 'Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) pleaded with the Quraish to allow the Muslims to perform their religious duties in Makkatul Mukarramah. They refused. They told him that they had already sworn not to allow the Muslims to enter Makkatul Mukarramah. The discussions with the Quraish lasted a long time and Sayyiduna 'Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) was delayed. A rumour was spread in the Muslim camp that Sayyiduna 'Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) was killed by the Quraish.

44. BAITUR RIDWAAN - PLEDGE UNDER THE TREE (6 A.H.)

The situation in the Muslim camp was very tense. The Sahaba became restless. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) knew what decision to make: march to the city of Makkatul Mukarramah and encounter the Meccans.

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) called his Sahaba together. They met under a large tree. He told them to place their hands beneath his hands and take a pledge (oath). The pledge was to fight till death to avenge the killing of Sayyiduna 'Uthman Ghani (radi Allahu anhu). This Pledge was known as "Baitur Ridwaan" or "The Pledge under the Tree."

Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran about this Pledge: "Allah is pleased with the Believers when they swore allegiance to you under the tree. Allah knows what is in their hearts, therefore, he sent down peace upon them and rewarded them with a near victory." (Surah Fath:18-19)

After the pledge was taken, the Sahaba made preparations to march to Makkatul Mukarramah. They were ready to fight and give their lives for the Sake of Almighty Allah. Just as they were about to leave, word reached them that Sayyiduna 'Uthman (radi Allahu anhu) was alive and not killed as rumoured.

Later, Sayyiduna 'Uthman Ghani (radi Allahu anhu) himself returned safely to the Muslim camp. The Sahaba were very happy to see him.

The pledge that was taken under the tree was a very important event. It strengthened the bond between Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and the Sahaba. It also proved that the Muslims were prepared to face the greatest danger without any fear.

45. THE TREATY OF HUDAIBIYAH (6 A.H.)

The Meccans refused to allow the Muslims to enter the city of Makkatul Mukarramah. The Muslims were ready to fight for their rights to perform the Umrah. The Muslims remained camped in Hudaibiyah.

The Meccans sent one of their leaders, Suhail bin Amr, to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). After intense negotiations, an agreement between Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and the Kuffar were drawn up. This agreement was called "The Treaty of Hudaibiyah."

45.1 CONDITIONS OF THE TREATY

The conditions of the Treaty were that :-

45.1.1 The Muslims would not visit Makkatul Mukarramah that year, but could come a year later and remain there for 3 days only.
45.1.2 There would be a one-sided contract in that the Meccans taking refuge with the Muslims would be handed over to the Quraish, but the Muslims taking refuge in Makkatul Mukarramah would not be handed over to the Muslims.
45.1.3 There would be peace for 10 years and during this period, Muslims could go to Makkatul Mukarramah and the Quraish could go to Syria through the Muslim areas.
45.1.4 Each party would remain neutral in the event of a war between the other and a third party.
45.1.5 Any tribe wishing to sign an agreement with either the Muslims or the Quraish would be able to do so.

The terms of the treaty clearly did not favour the Muslims. Some Sahaba were not happy about it. They were not prepared to accept the offer of the Kuffar. But Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) knew better. He knew how important it was for the Muslims to have peace.

After this treaty was signed, the Muslims returned to Madinatul Munawwarah.

46. THE CLEAR VICTORY

While returning to Madinatul Munawwarah, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was informed by Almighty Allah that the treaty was a great victory to the Muslims. Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran: "Surely, we have given you a clear victory." (Surahh Fatah:1)

The Treaty of Hudaibiyah proved to be a great blessing for the Muslims.

Earlier, no Kaafir had been able to visit Madinatul Munawwarah because of the state of war between the Kuffar and the Muslims. Now many of them came to Madinatul Munawwarah. They saw Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), heard the Holy Quran, and met the Muslims. Many Kuffar accepted Islam.

Many Muslims also visited Makkatul Mukarramah and went among the Arab tribes in the desert. They spoke to the people about the teachings of Islam. The Arab tribesman found their Muslim brothers different from other Arabs. They saw that the Muslims feared Almighty Allah, prayed and fasted for Him. They spoke the truth, kept their promises, and helped others. They did not drink or gamble or used bad language. Many Arabs were impressed by the behaviour of the Muslims, and they themselves accepted Islam.