Month: April 2021

MIGRATION OF SAYYIDINA IBRAHIM TO SYRIA, ENTRY INTO EGYPT AND STAY IN THE SACRED TERRITORY

In Surah Al-Anbiya too Allah tells us that He rescued him and Luts and they went to a blessed land. He tell us that He wanted him Ishaq and Ya’qub whom he guided them to righteousness and made them leaders of people. (verses 71-73).

When he left his people for the sake of Allah, he had with him his wife who was barren and they had no child, and Lut, the son of his brother Haran. After that Allah granted him pious children and gave prophethood and the Book to his offspring. In fact, every Prophet that came after him was from his offspring and every Book that was revealed to a Prophet after him was on one of his descendants. This was a robe of honqur, from Allah for him. He left his country, family and relatives and migrated to another land so that he could worship his Lord and invite people to Him. And, Allah said about the land to which he migrated, Syria,This was what Abu bin Ka’b and Abu Al-Aaliyah and Qatadah But, Ibn Abbas teritor has asked, “Have you not heard Allah’s words,Surely the first House (of worship) appointed for mankind was that at Bakkah, a place blessed, and a guidance for the peoples) of the worlds.

From the time she had gone to the king, Sayyidina Ibrahim stood up in prayer before Allah, the Majestic, and he beseeched Him to protect her from the evil man and to return his mischief to him with punishment. She too behaved in like manner for when the enemy of Allah intended to approach her, she performed ablution and stood up in prayer and supplicated Allah with the supplication.

Then Sayyidina Ibrahim AlahisSalam returned to the sacred land he had been in before. He had with him cattle, slaves and property. He had also Hajarah with him. Then Lut stil emigrated with his possessions on the instructions of Sayyidina Ibrahim to Sadum (Sodom) a chief city of the area in that era. Its inhabitants were evildoers, disbelievers and immoral people. Allah had revealed to Sayyidina Ibrahim te His command that he should spread His message to Egypt and to all sides around him and had informed him that these territories were to be under him and his offspring upto the end of the time. He promised him that He would multiply his children until they were as many as particles of dust of the earth.

It is said that a group of tyrants oppressed Sayyidina Lut and took him captive. They appropriated his property and possessions and drove away his cattle. When Sayyidina Ibrahim to learnt of it, he rushed there with three hundred and eighteen men. He got Sayyidina Lut still released and his property and wealth returned to him. Many of the enemies of Allah and His Messengers were killed. He defeated them and expelled them from there to northern Damascus. The prestige of Sayyidina Ibrahim tan thus rose high. He then returned to his country, victorious. The kings of the land of Bayt-al-Maqdis, met him and respected him highly and feared him. He then stayed in his land. May blessings of Allah and His peace be on him.

THE BIRTH OF ISMA’IL AlaihisSalam TO HAJARAH AlaihisSalam

According to the People of the Book, Sayyidina Ibrahim AlahisSalam prayed to Allah to grant him righteous children and Allah gave him tidings of that.

Soon, Hajarah AlaihisSalam gave birth to Isma’il AlahisSalam and the age of Sayyidina Ibrahim then was eighty six years. Ishaq AlaihisSalam was born thirteen years later. When Isma’il AlahisSalam was born, Allah gave Sayyidina Ibrahim AlahisSalam the tidings of Ishaq AlahisSalam from Sarah and he fell down in prostration to his Allah. Allah let him know that he (Isma’il) will have many offspring and their numbers would increase and he would father twelve great men.

THE MIGRATION OF SAYYIDINA IBRAHIM WITH HIS SON ISMA’IL AND HIS MOTHER HAJARAH TO THE MOUNT FARAN IN MAKKAH-THEIR RAISING THE HOUSE OF ALLAH

Bukhari has narrated from Ibn ‘Abbas:

The first lady to use a girdle was the mother of Isma’il. She used it that she might conceal her tracks from Sarah.° Sayyidina Ibrahim brought her and her son Sayyidina Isma’il AlaihisSalam while she used to nurse him at her breast to a place near the Ka’bah, under a tree on the spot of Zam Zam, at the highest place in the mosque. During those days there was nobody at Makkah nor was there any water. So he made them sit over there and placed near them a leather bag containing some dates, and a small water-skin containing some water. He then turned homeward. Isma’il’s mother followed him saying, “O Ibrahim! Where are you going, leaving us in this valley where there is no person whose company we may enjoy, and nothing…?’ She repeated this question to him many times but he did not look back at her. Then she asked him, ‘Has Allah commanded you to do so?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ She said, ‘Then He will not neglect us’ and returned while Ibrahim proceeded onwards until he reached Thaniyah.

Our Lord! Surely I have made some of my progeny to dwell in a valley uncultivable near Your sacred House, Our Lord! That they may establish Salah, so make the hearts of some of mankind to yearn towards them, and provide them with fruits that they may give thanks. (Ibrahim, 14:37)

Isma’il’s mother suckled Isma’il and drank from the water she had. When the water in the water-skin was exhausted she became thirsty and her child

She tied a girdle round her waist and ran away dragging her robe behind her to wipe out her tracks.

became thirsty. She gazed at him while he tossed in agony. She left him, for she could not endure looking at him, and found that the mountain of Al-Safa was the nearest mountain to her on that land. She stood on it and started looking at the valley keenly so that she might see somebody. Then she reached the valley, she tucked up her robe and ran in the valley like a person in distress and trouble, till she crossed the valley and reached Al-Marwa Mountain. Here she stood and looked about expecting to see somebody but she could not see anybody. She repeated that (running between As-Safa and Al-Marwa) seven times.”

Ibn Abbas said, “The Prophet ﷺsaid, “This is the source of Sa’i (walking) between As-Safa and Al-Marwa.”

When she reached al-Marwa (for the last time) she heard a voice and she asked herself to be quiet and listened attentively. She heard the voice again and said, ‘O! You have made me hear your voice; have you got something to help me?’ And behold! She saw an angel at the place of Zamzam, digging the earth with its heel till water flowed from the place. She tried to make something like a basin around it, using her hands in this way and started filling her water-skin with water with her hands but the water was flowing out even after she had scooped some of it.”

Ibn Abbas said that the Prophet ﷺ said, “May Allah show mercy to the mother of Isma’ il! Had she let zamzam flow (without trying to control it), it would have been a stream flowing on the surface of the earth.”

Then he added, “She drank and suckled her child. The angel assured her, ‘Do not be afraid. You will not be neglected for this is the House of Allah which this boy and his father will build Allah never neglects His people.’

The House, then, was on a high place like a hillock, and when torrents came they flowed on its right and left. She lived in that way until some people from the tribe of Jurhum passed by and they were coming from the Kada’. They landed in the lower part of Makkah where they saw a bird that had the habit of flying around water and not leaving it. They sent one or two of them to investigate and they returned to report their discovery of water. All of them came to it and found Isma’il’s mother there. They asked her, ‘Do you allow us to stay here?’ ‘Yes, but have no right to possess the water.’ They agreed to that.”

Abdullah Ibn Abbas said that the Prophetﷺ said, “Isma’il’s mother was pleased with that because she enjoyed the company of people. They settled there and called for their families and some of them became permanent residents there. Isma’il grew up and learnt Arabic from them and caused them to love and admire him as he grew up. When he was old enough, they married him to a woman amongst them. After Ismail’s mother had died. İbrahim came to see his family whom he had left behind but he did not find Isma’il there. He asked Isma’il’s wife about him and she said that he had gone to search for their livelihood. Then he asked her about their condition and she complained, ‘We are living in misery, hardship and destitution. He said, ‘When he returns convey my salutations to him and tell him to change the threshold of the gate (of his house).’ When Isma’il returned, he felt something familiar and asked his wife, ‘Has anyone been here?’ ‘Yes, an old man-such-and-such and he asked about you and enquired about our condition and I told him that we were in hardship and poverty.’ Isma’il asked. ‘Did he give any advice.’ ‘Yes, He asked me to convey his salutation to you and to ask you to change the threshold of your gate.’ Isma’il said to her, ‘He was my father and he has asked me to divorce you. Go back to your family.’ He divorced her and married another woman.

Ibrahim stayed away as long as Allah wished and visited them again but did not find Isma’il. He asked Isma’il’s wife about him and she said that he had gone in search of livelihood. He asked her about how they were getting on and she said that they were well-off and thanked Allah for that. He asked her, ‘What kind of food you eat.’ ‘Meat,’ she said, ‘And what do you drink.’ She replied ‘Water! He prayed for them.

The Prophetﷺ said, ‘At that time they did not have grain and if they had, he would have invoked Allah’s blessing on grain too.’ He added, “If somebody has only these two things as his sustenance, his health and disposition will be affected badly unless he lives in Makkah.’

He then said, ‘Then Ibrahim said to Isma’il’s wife, ‘Give my regards to your husband and tell him that he should keep firm the threshold of his gate.’

When Isma’il came home he asked her if anybody had come there and she confirmed that a good-looking old man had come and asked about him and about how they lived. She informed him that she had told the man that they lived happily. ‘Did he give you any advice?’ ‘Yes. He asked me to give his regards to you and ordered that you

should keep firm the threshold of your gate.

Isma’il said, ‘He was my father. You are the threshold of (the gate). He has ordered me to keep you with me.’

Ibrahim stayed away from them as long as Allah wished. He visited them afterwards and found Isma’il under a tree near Zam Zam sharpening his arrows. When he saw Ibrahim, he rose up to welcome him and they greeted each other as father and son

or, son and father would greet each other. He said, ‘O Isma’il, Allah has given me a command!’

‘Do what your Lord has commanded you to do.’ ‘Will you help me? ‘Yes, I will help you! Ibrahim told him that Allah had commanded him to build a House there and he pointed out to a place higher than the land surrounding it.

Then they raised its foundation. Isma’il brought stones and Ibrahim laid the bricks raising the structure. When the walls became high, Isma’il brought this stone and put it for Ibrahim who stood on it and carried on the task Isma’il kept delivering the bricks to him and they both said:

Our Lord! Accept (this service) from us. Surely You are All-hearing, All-Knowing!

(Al-Baqarah, 2:127) The Prophet added, “Then both of them went on building and going round the Ka’bah, saying,

That is, the same supplication.

THE STORY OF THE ZABEEH

Allah has said in Surah As-Saffat, that when Ibrahim that migrated from the land of his people, he supplicated Allah to grant him a righteous son. Allah gave him the glad tidings of a righteous son, Isma’il stede. He was his first child and his age then was eighty six years.

In this Surah, Allah has informed (When he had reached the age of running with him (As-Saffat, 37:102) that is, was capable of helping him in his affairs, Sayyidina Ibrahim set it as was commanded in his dream that he offer him in sacrifice.

This was a command from Allah for His Khalil. It was a severely trying time. This was his only son. They had received him at an old age. He had been commanded earlier to leave him and his mother in a barren land but he had obeyed Allah unhesitatingly. There was nothing of grass and food or company in that land but Allah had taken care of them.

O my father, do as you are commanded, if Allah will, you will find me one of the persevering (As-Saffat, 37:102)

Obviously, this is an expression of deep obedience and submission to the father and to the Lord of men.(As Saffat, 37:103). They both bowed in submission to the command of Allah and he was laid face down that he may not observe the preparations. This is what Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, Sa’eed bin Jubayr, Qatadah and Dahhak have said. It is also said that he was laid down as any animal is laid down. Sayyidina Ibrahim glorified Allah after beginning in His Name and Isma’il sentiel recited the shahadah

Allah replaced his son with what pleased Him and it is well known that it was a white, big-eyed sheep with horns.

Many Isra’ilite fabrications are found about this event but it is clear from the Qur’an that it was a great sacrifice ransomed and the Hadith tell us that the replacement was a sheep.

Imam Ahmad has reported from Safiyah bint Shaybah who had been informed by a woman of Banu Salim that the Messenger of Allahﷺ summoned Uthman bin Talhah. The women said that she asked Uthman, “Why did the Messenger of Allah ﷺ summon you!” He said, “The Messenger of Allah ﷺsaid to me, I had seen two horns of a sheep when I entered the House, but I forgot to ask you to conceal them.’ So, I concealed them lest there be anything in the house that would distract the worshiper.” (Ahmad, # 68,380)

This is evidence that Isma’il was the one offered for sacrifice because he was the one who resided at Makkah and we do not know of Ishaq having gone to Makkah in his childhood. But Allah knows best.

Al-Hudaibiyah Treaty (Dhul-Qa’dah 6 A.H.)

The Circumstances of the ‘Umrah of Al-Hudaibiyah When Arabia began to witness the large impressive sweep in favour of the Muslims, the forerunners of the great conquest and success of the Islamic Call started gradually to become visible on the demographic horizon. It was about the sixth year of Al-Hijra in Madinah when the Prophetﷺ had dream that he had entered the sacred sanctuary in Makkah in security with his followers, and was performing the ceremonies of ‘Umrah (lesser pilgrimage). Their heads were being shaved and hair cut off. As soon as he informed some of his Companions about the dream, they became very happy.

The Muslims mobilize

The Prophet ﷺ content had his clothes washed, mounted his camel named Al-Qaswa’, left Ibn Umm Maktum or according to some, Numailah Al-Laithi in charge of Madinah, and marched out towards Makkah on a Monday at the beginning of DhulQa’dah, at the head of fourteen or fifteen hundred Muslims including his wife Umm Salamah . He was also accompanied by some of the desert bedouins in the area, although many of them stayed behind. They carried no weapons with them except the sheathed swords of travellers since they had no intention of fighting

Heading for Makkah

As they approached Makkah, and reached a place called DhulHulaifah, he ordered that the sacrificial animals be garlanded, and all believers entered into the state of Al-Ihram, with the pilgrim’s dress making them safe against any attacks. He dispatched a surveyor to hunt around for news of the enemy. The man came

back to tell the Prophet ﷺ that a large number of people from a variety of tribes.” were gathered with Ka’b bin Lu’at to oppose him, and that the road to Makkah was completely blocked. The Prophet ﷺ consulted with his Companions, who were of the opinion that they would fight none unless they were stopped from performing their pilgrimage.

The Quraish attempt to block the Muslims from reaching the Ka’bah

The Quraishites, on their part, held a meeting during which they considered the whole situation and decided to resist the Prophet’s ﷺ mission at all costs. Two hundred horsemen led by Khalid bin Al Walid were dispatched to take the Muslims by surprise during Zuhr (the Noon) prayer. However, the rules of Fear prayer were revealed meanwhile and thus Khalid and his men missed the chance. The Muslims avoided marching on that way and decided to follow a rugged rocky one. Here, Khalid ran back to Quraish to brief them on the latest situation.

Changing the Direction

When the Muslims reached a spot called Thaniyatul-Murar. the Prophet’s ﷺcamel stumbled and knelt down and was too stubborn to move. Hazrat Muhammadﷺ swore he would willingly agree to any plan the enemy proposed that would revere Allâh’s sanctuary. He then reprovingly spurred his camel and it leapt up. They resumed their march and came to pitch their tents at the furthest part of AlHudaibiyah beside a well with little water. The Muslims reported thirst to the Prophetﷺ who took an arrow out of his quiver, and placed it in the ditch. Water immediately gushed forth, and his followers drank to their fill.

Budail mediates between Allâh’s Messengerﷺ and the Quraish

After the Prophet ﷺ was at ease, Budail bin Warqa’ Al-Khuza’i came with some people of the Khuza’ah tribe, to advise the Prophet ﷺ They asked him what he had come for. The Prophet ﷺ replied that it was not for war that he had come forth: “I have no other design,” he said, “but to perform ‘Umrah (the lesser pilgrimage) in the Sacred Sanctuary. Should Quraish embrace the new religion, as some people have done, they are most welcome, but if they stand in my way or stop the Muslims from pilgrimage, I will surely fight them to the last man, and Allâh’s Order must be fulfilled.” Budail carried the message to the Quraish, who were hesitant to accept the unwanted news. They then dispatched Mikraz bin Hafs to meet the Prophetﷺ. On seeing him, the Prophetﷺ said that he was a treacherous man. He was given the same message to communicate to his people.

The messengers of Quraish

He was followed by another messenger known as Al-Hulais bin ‘Alqamah. He was very much impressed by the spirit of devotion and love toward Nabi Pakﷺ that the Muslims have. He went back to his men and warned them against stopping Nabi Pakﷺ and his Companions from revering Allâh’s house at the risk of breaking his alliance with them. Hulais was succeeded by ‘Urwah bin Mas’ud Ath-Thaqafi to negotiate with Nabi Pakﷺ . Meanwhile, ‘Urwah, during his stay in the Muslim camp, had been closely watching the immeasurable love and great respect that the followers of Nabi Pakﷺ showed him. He returned and conveyed to the Quraish his impression that those people could not leave the Prophetﷺ under any circumstances. He expressed his feelings in the following words: “I have been to Chosroes, Caesar and Negus in their kingdoms, but never have I seen a king among a people like Hazrat Muhammadﷺ among his Companions. If he performs his ablution, they would not let the water thereof fall on the ground; if he expectorates, they would have the mucus to rub their faces with; if he speaks, they would lower their voices. They will not abandon him for anything in any case. He, now offers you a reasonable plan, so do what you please.”

Allâh prevented Them from Treachery

Seeing a great tendency towards reconciliation among their chiefs, some younger, irresponsible, and hot tempered Quraish devised a wicked plan that could hold back the peace treaty. They decided to creep into the camp of the Muslims and produce intentional clash that might trigger the fuse of war. Seventy or eighty of them left at night for the Muslim camp and descended from the mountain Tan’im Muhammad bin Maslamah chief of the Muslim guards was able to have them all captured, but in view of the farreaching imminent results about to be achieved, the Prophetﷺ them free. In this context Allâh says:

“And He it is Who has withheld their hands from you and your hands from them in the midst of Makkah, after He had made you victors over them.” [48:24)

‘Uthman bin ‘Affan is sent as a Messenger to the Quraish

Time passed Negotiations went on but with no results. Then the Prophet ﷺ desired ‘Umar Radiallahu anhoo to see the nobles of Quraish on his behalf. ‘Umar Radiallahu anhoo excused himself on account of the personal enmity of Quraish; moreover, he had no influential relatives in the city who could shield him from danger; and he advised sending ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan it who belonged to one of the most powerful families in Makkah. ‘Uthman went to Abu Sufyan and other chiefs and told them that the Muslims had come only to visit and pay their homage to the Sacred House, to do worship there, and that they had no intention to fight. He was also asked to call them to Islam, and give glad tidings to the believers in Makkah, women and men, that the conquest was approaching and Islam was surely to prevail because Allâh would verily establish His religion in Makkah. ‘Uthman also assured them that after the performance of ceremonies they would soon depart peacefully, but the Quraishites were inflexible and did not prepare to grant them the permission to visit Al-Ka’bah. They, however, offered ‘Uthman permission to perform ‘Umrah, if he so desired himsel:, but ‘Uthman Radiallahu anhoo declined the offer saying: “How is it possible that I avail myself of this opportunity, while the Prophet ﷺ is denied of it?” The Muslims anxiously waited for the arrival of ‘Uthman evening with mixed feelings of fear and anxiety. But his arrival was considerably delayed and foul play was suspected on the part of the Quraish.

The Rumor of ‘Uthman’s Death and the Pledge of Ridwan

The Muslims were very worried and took a solemn pledge at the hand of the Prophet ﷺ that they would not flee, and a group of them pledged to the death. The first to take the pledge were Abu Sinan Al-Asadi and Salamah bin Al-Akwaren who gave a solemn promise to die in the cause of Truth three times, in the beginning, in the middle and in the last of the process. The Prophet ﷺ even held out his own hand and said: “This is for

“Uthman.” After the pledge had been complete. ‘Uthman arrived and gave the pledge himself. Every person present pledged except for one man who was of the hypocrites, named Jad bin Qais. Allâh’s Messenger ﷺ took this pledge under a tree while ‘Umar was holding his hand, and Ma’qil bin Yasar holding a branch out of the Prophet’s way. This was the Bai’at-ur-Ridwan mentioned by Allâh:

“Indeed, Allâh was pleased with the believers when they gave their Bai’ah (pledge) to you (O Muhammad under the tree.” [48:18]

The Treaty and its Clauses

When Quraish saw the firm determination of the Muslims to shed the last drop of blood for the defense of their Faith, they came to their senses and realized that Muhammad’sﷺ followers could not be frightened by these tactics. After some further interchange of messages, they agreed to conclude a treaty of reconciliation and peace with the Muslims.

The clauses of the said treaty go as follows: 1. The Muslims shall return this time and come back next year, but they shall not stay in Makkah for more than three days. They shall not come back armed but can bring with them swords only sheathed in scabbards and these shall be kept in bags. 2. War activities shall be suspended for ten years, during which both parties will live in full security and neither will raise sword against the other. 3. Whosoever wishes to join Muhammad ﷺenter into treaty with him, should have the liberty to do so; and likewise whosoever wishes to join Quraish, or enter into treaty with them, should be allowed to do so. 4. If anyone from Quraish goes over to Muhammadﷺ at without his guardian’s permission, meaning a fugitive, he should be sent

back to the Quraish; but should any of Muhammad’s ﷺfollowers return to the Quraish, he shall not be sent back. Some dispute arose when finalizing the treaty. When the agreement was to be committed to writing, ‘Ali bin Abi Talib AlaihisSalam , who acted as a scribe, began with the words: Bismillâh ir-Rahman ir-Raheem, i.e., “In the Name of Allâh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,” but the Makkan Suhail bin ‘Amr declared that he knew nothing about Ar-Rahman and insisted upon the customary formula Bi-ismika Allâhumma, i.e., “In Your Name, O Allâh!” The Muslims grumbled with uneasiness but the Prophet ﷺagreed. He then went on to dictate: “This is what Muhammad, ﷺthe Messenger of Allâh, has agreed to with Suhail bin ‘Amr.” Upon this Suhail again protested: “Had we acknowledged you as Allâh’s Messenger, we would not have prevented you from the Sacred House, nor fought against you. Write your own name and the name of your father.” The Muslims grumbled as before and refused to consent to the change. The Prophet ﷺ

, however, in the larger interest of Islam, erased the words himself, and dictated instead: “Muhammad, the son of ‘Abdullah.” Soon after this treaty, the Khuza’ah clan, a former ally of Banu Hashim, joined the ranks of Muhammadﷺ

The Return of Abu Jandal

It was during this time while the treaty was being written that Abu Jandal Radiallahu anhoo, Suhail’s son, appeared on the scene. He was brutally chained and was staggering with hardship and exhaustion. The Prophetﷺ and his Companions were moved to pity and tried to secure his release but Suhail was unyielding and said: “To signify that you are faithful to your contract, an opportunity has just arrived.” The Prophetﷺ said: “But the treaty is not signed when your son entered the camp.” Upon this, he burst forth and said, “But the terms of the treaty were agreed upon.” It was indeed an anxious moment.

On the one hand, Abu Jandal Radiallahu anhoo was lamenting at the top of his voice, “Am I to be returned to the polytheists that they might

entice me from my religion, O Muslims!” But on the other hand, the faithful engagement was also considered to be necessary, above all other considerations. The Prophet’s ﷺheart was filled with sympathy, but he wanted to honor his word at all costs. He consoled Abu Jandal Radiallahu anhoo and said, “Be patient, resign yourself to the will of Allâh. Allâh is going to provide for you and your helpless companions relief and means of escape. We have concluded a treaty of peace with them and we have taken the pledge in the Name of Allâh. We are, therefore, under no circumstances prepared to break it.” ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab could not help giving vent to the deep-seated anguish of his heart. He rose to his feet uttering words implying deep hatred and extreme anger, and provided chance to Abu Jandal to grab his sword and kill Suhail, but the son spared his father. However, in silent resignation, Abu Jandal centre was taken away with his chains.

When the peace treaty had been concluded, the Prophet ﷺordered his Companions to slaughter their sacrificial animals, but they were too depressed to do that. The Prophet ﷺ gave instructions in this regard three times but with negative response. He told his wife Umm Salamah about this attitude of his Companions. She advised that he himself take the initiative, slaughter his animal and have his head shaved. Seeing that, the Muslims, with hearts full of grief, started to slaughter their animals and shave their heads. The Prophet ﷺ prayed three times for those who shaved their heads and once for those who cut their hair. A camel was sacrificed on behalf of seven men and a cow on behalf of the same number of people. The Prophetﷺ sacrificed a camel which once belonged to Abu Jahl and which the Muslims had seized as booty at Badr, thus enraging the polytheists.

During Al-Hudaibiyah campaign, the Prophet permitted Ka’b bin ‘Ujrah dari kesan who was in a state of Ihram (the sacred state of pilgrimage) for ‘Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) to shave his head due to illness, on the condition that he will pay compensation by sacrificing a sheep or fasting for three days or feeding six needy persons. Concerning this, the following Verse was revealed:”And whosoever of you is ill or has an ailment in his scalp (necessitating shaving), he must pay a Fidyah (ransom) of either fasting (three days) or giving Sadaqah (feeding six poor persons) or offering sacrifice (one sheep).” (2:196)

Refusing the Return of Emigrant Women

Meanwhile some believing women emigrated to Madinah and asked the Prophet ﷺfor refuge which they were granted. When their families demanded their return, he would not hand them back because the following Verse was revealed:

“O you who believe! When believing women come to you as emigrants, examine them, Allâh knows best as to their Faith, then if you know them for true believers, send them not back to the disbelievers, they are not lawful (wives) for the disbelievers nor are the disbelievers lawful (husbands) for them. But give the disbelievers that amount of money) which they have spent (as their Mahr (bridal money)] to them. And there will be no sin on you to marry them if you have paid their Mahr to them. Likewise hold not the disbelieving women as wives…” (60:10)

The reason why the believing women were not handed back was either because they were not originally included in the terms of the treaty, which mentioned only men, or because the Qur’ân abrogated any terms dealing with women in the Verse:

“O Prophet! When believing women come to you to give you the Bai’ah (pledge), that they will not associate anything in worship with Allah…” (60:12]

This is the Verse which forbade Muslim women from marrying disbelieving men. Likewise, Muslim men were commanded to terminate their marriages to disbelieving women. In compliance with this injunction, ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab within divorced two wives he had married before he embraced Islam; Mu’awiyah married the first woman, and Safwan bin Umaiyah married the second.

Impact of the Treaty of Al-Hudaibiyah

A series of events confirmed the profound wisdom and splendid results of the peace treaty which Allâh called “a manifest victory”. How could it be otherwise when the Quraish recognized the Muslims’ legitimate existence on the scene of political life in Arabia, and began to deal with the believers on equal terms? The Quraish in the light of the articles of the treaty, had indirectly given up their claim to religious leadership, and admitted that they were no longer interested in people other than the Quraish. and washed their hands of any sort of intervention in the religious future of the Arabian Peninsula. The Muslims did not have in mind to seize people’s property or kill them through bloody wars, nor did they ever think of using any compulsive approaches in their efforts to propagate Islam, on the contrary, their sole target was to provide an atmosphere of freedom in ideology or religion:

“Then whosoever wills, let him believe, and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve.” [18:29]

The Muslims, on the other hand, had the opportunity to spread Islam over areas not then explored. When there was peace agreement, war was abolished, and men met and consulted together, none talked about Islam intelligently

without entering it within two years following the conclusion of the treaty, twice as many people entered Islam than ever before. This is supported by the fact that the Prophet ﷺwent out to AlHudaibiyah with only 1,400 men, but when he set out to liberate Makkah, two years later, he had 10,000 men with him. The article of the treaty about ceasing the hostilities for ten years, points directly to the utter failure of political pride exercised by the Quraish and its allies, and functions as evidence of the collapse and powerlessness of the war instigator. The Quraish had been obliged to give up those advantages in return for one that seemed in its favor, but did not actually bear any harm against the Muslims, i.e., the article that speaks of handing over to the Quraish those believing men who seek refuge with the Muslims without their guardians’ consent. At first glance, it was a most distressing clause and was considered objectionable in the Muslim camp.

However, in the course of events, it proved to be a great blessing. For it was obvious that those who had been Muslims would never flee from Allâh and His Messenger ﷺ and none would flee except for an obvious apostate, for whom the Muslims had no need as indicated by the saying of the Prophet ﷺ

“Whoever leaves us for them, he has been removed by Allâh.”

As for those in Makkah who embraced Islam, although the route to Madinah was temporarily closed for them, Allâh’s earth is wide. Was there not an abode for the believers in Abyssinia at a time when there were no believers in Madinah? This was indicated by the saying of the Prophetﷺ “And whoever comes to us from them, indeed Allâh will make an opening and a way out for him.:12]

The Muslims’ Grief and ‘Umar’s Expression of that

These are the realities of the clauses of the truce treaty and as it seems they all function in favor of the growing Islamic state. However, two points in the treaty made it distasteful to some Muslims, namely they were not given access to the Holy Sanctuary that year, and the seemingly degrading attitude as regards reconciliation with the pagans of Quraish. ‘Umar Radiallahu anhoo unable to hold himself for the distress was taking full grasp of his heart, went to the Prophet ﷺsaid: “Aren’t you the true Messenger of Allâh?” The Prophetﷺ replied calmly, “Why not?” ‘Umar again spoke and asked, “Aren’t we on the path of righteousness and our enemies in the wrong?” Without showing any resentment, the Prophetﷺ the replied that it was so. On getting this reply he further urged, “Then we should not suffer any humiliation in the matter of Faith.” The Prophet ﷺwas firm and with perfect confidence said, “I am the true Messenger of Allâh, I never disobey Him, He shall help me.” “Did you not tell us,” rejoined ‘Umar , “that we shall perform pilgrimage?” “But I have never told you,” replied the Prophet ﷺ “that we shall do so this very year.” ‘Umar was silenced. But his mind was disturbed. He went to Abu Bakr and expressed his feelings before him. Abu Bakr a who had never been in doubt as regards the Prophet’s truthfulness and sincerity, confirmed what the Prophet ﷺ had told him. In due course, the Chapter of Victory (48th) was revealed saying:Verily, We have given you (O Muhammad ise) a manifest victory” [48:1]

Allâh’s Messengerﷺ summoned ‘Umar and conveyed to him the happy tidings. ‘Umar was overjoyed, and greatly regretted his former attitude. He used to spend in charity, observe fasting and prayer and free as many slaves as possible in expiation for that thoughtless attitude he had assumed.

The Problem of Weak Muslims solved

After the Prophetﷺ then had reached Madinah, Abu Baseer iswho had escaped from the Quraish, came to him as a Muslim. The Quraish sent two men demanding his return, so the Prophetﷺ handed him over to them. On the way to Makkah, Abu Baseer clients managed to kill one of them, and the other one fled to Madinah with Abu Baseer is in pursuit. When he reached the Prophetﷺ he said, “Your obligation is over and Allâh has freed you from it. You duly handed me over to the men, and Allâh has rescued me from them.” The Prophet ﷺ said, “Woe to his mother, he would have kindled a war if there had been others with him.” When he heard that, he knew that he would be handed back to them, so he fled from Madinah and went as far as Saiful-Bahr. The other Muslims who were oppressed in Makkah began to escape to Abu Baseer . He was joined by Abu Jandal and others until a fair-sized colony was formed and soon sought revenge on the Quraish and started to intercept their caravans. The pagans of Makkah finding themselves unable to control those exiled colonists, begged the Prophet ﷺto do away with the clause which governed the return of these persons. They begged him by Allâh, and by their ties of kinship to send for the group, saying that whoever joined the Muslims in Madinah would be safe from them. So the Prophetﷺ for the group and they responded, as expected, positively. The early part of the year 7 A.H. witnessed the Islamization of three prominent men of Makkah, ‘Amr bin Al-‘As, Khalid bin AlWalid and ‘Uthman bin Talhah. On their arrival and entrance into the fold of Islam, the Prophet ﷺ said, “The Quraish have given us their own blood.”