In Hudaibiah a truce was declared between the Qureish and the Muslims that both the parties will not indulge in fighting for the next ten years. If one of the parties infringed the agreement, then the other will not be bound by the terms. One of the tribes having a treaty with the Muslims, Banu Qaza-aa and a tribe having a treaty with the Qureish, Banu Bakr, had been at loggerheads for long, but because of the wars between the Qureish and the Muslims they were quiet for some time. They had both kept aside their differences and were united against the Muslims. When the long truce between the Qureish and the Muslims became effective, Banu Bakr attacked Banu Qaza-aa and killed one of their men. The suppressed animosity was revived. Although Banu Bakr was sufficient to deal with Banu Qaza-aa, Qureish supplied arms to Banu Bakr. This was an infringement of the truce with the Muslims. Also, Akrama ibne Abu Jahl, Safwan ibne Omayya and Sohail ibne Omro who were the signatories to the treaty with the Muslims took active part in the conflict between the two tribes in favor of Banu Bakr. Banu Qaza-aa took shelter in the Kaaba to save their lives. Even there they were attacked and killed. When they were helpless, a delegation of forty persons from Banu Qaza-aa under the leadership of Umro ibne Salem went to the Prophet (s.a.) in Madina and lodged a protest that the Qureish had infringed the truce taking part in the hostilities and supplying arms to Banu Bakr against them, the vassals of the Muslims. The Prophet (s.a.) agreed to provide help to them. He sent a message to the Qureish to give the blood money to Bani Qaza-aa for their lives lost during the conflict or abstain from aiding and abetting Bani Bakr, or otherwise their treaty with the Muslims would become void. Qureish refused to abide by the suggestions and said plainly that neither they would give the blood money nor they will abstain from helping Bani Bakr. Because of this stubborn attitude of the Qureish, the Prophet (s.a.) made a public declararion that there was no more a treaty of peace with the Qureish.
After this announcement by the Prophet (s.a.) the Qureish were restless. They started brooding over the consequences of their infringement of the terms of the truce. Realizing that they were incapable of meeting the onslaught of the Muslims, they started planning to keep the truce intact. Therefore they deputed Abu Sufian to Madina to negotiate and diplomatically save the situation. When he arrived at Madina, Abu Sufian went straight to his daughter Umme Habiba who was one of the spouses of the Prophet (s.a.). When Umme Habiba saw her father coming, she quickly folded the bedding of the Prophet (s.a.). When Abu Sufian asked her why she moved away the bedding, Umme Habiba said that it was the bedding of the Prophet (s.a.) and she wouldn’t like him to sit on that.because he was an infidel and idolator. Abu Sufian went away from there with an unpleasant mood. He went to the Prophet (s.a.) and requested him to renew the treaty for truce with the Qureish. The Prophet (s.a.) didn’t pay heed to any of his aguments. He sat there for a while and went to Hazrat Abu Bakr and asked him to recommend to the Prophet (s.a.) for renewing the treaty. Hazrat Abu Bakr expressed his inability to help. He then went to Hazrat Omer, and he too excused himself. When he was disappointed everywhere, he went to
Hazrat Ali (a.s.) and sought his help in the matter. He said that when the Prophet (s.a.) arrives at a decision, none else has the right to interfere with it. Abu Sufian told to Hazrat Fatima (a.s.), who was sitting there, “O daughter! If your son, Hassan (a.s.), intervenes and gets the truce renewed he will be called as the Chief of Arabs till the world exists.” She replied, “Hassan (a.s.) is still a child and has nothing to do with these matters!” In the end he told to Hazrat Ali (a.s.) that if he cannot help, he must atleast suggest what the Qureish should do to save the situation. Hazrat Ali (a.s.) suggested to Abu Sufian to make an announcement for renewal of the truce and go away to Makka! Abu Sufian asked what benefit such an announcement will bring to the Qureish? He replied that it cannot be predicted whether the declaration would be of any advantage to the Qureish or not. Any way, Abu Sufian did go to the mosque and made a public announcement that the Qureish were unilaterally renewing their truce of peace with the Muslims. After this announcement he went away to Makka.
When he reached Makka, people asked him what was the result of his visit to Madina? He said that he had a discussion with the Prophet (s.a.) but he wouldn’t agree to renew the truce. Then he told about going to Abu Khahafa and Omer ibne Khattab and getting no help. He said that he went to Ali (a.s.) who listened to him with attention and only on his suggestion he had made a unilateral public announcement of renewal of the truce by the Qureish. The Qureish asked whether the Prophet (.s.a) approved of this measure. Abu Sufian said that he didn’t have the approval of the Prophet (s.a.) for the renewal. The Qureish said that any declaration of a truce has atleast two consenting parties, if the other party has not agreed there is no sense in your announcement. Ali (a.s.) has pulled a fast one on you !
The Prophet (s.a.) was much affected with the bloodshed caused by Banu Bakr and in terms of the agreements, he was bound to come to the rescue of Banu Qaza-aa. Therefore he asked his people to be ready for battle and also asked others outside of Madina to prepare for joining the troops. People started arriving in numbers on the call of the Prophet (s.a.) and started preparing the arms for the fight. But none knew where they had to go for the fight! The Prophet (s.a.) took full care to see that the Qureish didn’t learn about these preparations.to take them on unawares! The Companions who knew about the ram were strictly warned to keep their confidence. But Hatib ibne Balta, whose family was in Makka, committed the mistake of revealing the secret by writing a letter to Omro ibne Abd al Mutallib and sending it to him through his slave girl. In the letter he mentioned that the Prophet (s.a.) was preparing to attack Makka. The Prophet (s.a.) learned about this betrayal through a Revelation. He sent Hazrat Ali (a.s.) and Zubair ibne Awam to intercept the girl and bring her back to Madina. She had only reached the Valley of Halifa when she was captured. Hazrat Ali (a.s.) asked her about the letter, but she flatly refused any knowledge about it. Zubair rummaged her belongings but didn’t find the letter. Hazrat Ali (a.s.) said that it wasn’t possible that she didn’t have the letter. when the Prophet (s.a.) had informed them about it. There is no question of a wrong statement from him. He sternly questioned the girl and told her that if she didn’t produce the letter a search of her clothes would be made. Because of
this threat she produced it from the hair of her head. Hazrat Ali (a.s.) went with the letter to the Prophet (s.a.) and reported to him about the entire episode. The Prophet (s.a.) assembled all the Companions and told them that he had warned everyone to maintain the secrecy about the entire operation. But one of them tried to unsuccessfully reveal the secret to the Qureish. The letter written in this connection has been intercepted and, therefore, the person should own his guilt. Otherwise he might be put to grave shame! Hearing this, Haatib stood up shaking and said, “O Prophet of Allah (s.a.)! I am the guilty person. I have not done it for the friendship of the Qureish or enmity for Islam. I thought that I would be able to secure my chidren by earning the gratitude of the Qureish. My family is living in Makka at their mercy. Hazrat Omar angrily rose up and said: “O Prophet of Allah(s.a.)!
Permit me that I cut away his head.
He is a hypocrite!”
Ref: Tareeq e Tabari, Vol 2, Page 328
But the Prophet (s.a.) forgave the person.
The Holy Quran mentions about the episode:
“You clandestinely send messages of friendship to the infidels.
Whatever you do openly,
or you do in secret,
I know of it fully!
Whoever of you does such things
has gone astray from the Right Path!”
On 10th of Ramadan 4H, the prophet (s.a.) marched with 10,000 strong army of armed men Four hundred companions were on horses and the rest were footmen. When the army reached Kadeed, the prophet (s.a.) asked the men to break their fasts and he too did the same. Some people hesitated in doing it. When the Prophet (s.a.) learnt about it, he said that they were sinners. After this everyone broke his fast. When they reached Taniyat al aqaab, the Prophet (s.a.)’s uncle, Abbas ibne Abd al Mutallib, met him along his family members. Abbas sent his family to Madina and himself joined the entourage of the Prophet (s.a.). Twelve miles before Makka, the Prophet (s.a.) established camp. Abbas came out riding on the mule of the Prophet (s.a.) to find a person who could go to the Qureish to tell them to come to the camp and appeal for amnesty. He also suggested to them that they embrace Islam and save themselves from destruction. After the unsuccessful visit of Abu Sufian to Madina the Qureish had the fear that the Muslims would come anytime to settle scores with them. Therefore they used to remain alert during the nights to quell any surprise attack in the darkness of the night. With this purpose Abu Sufian,Hakim ibne Hazam and Badeel ibne Warqa were on rounds of the outskirts of Makka when they noticed lights of fire at a distance in the direction of Mar al Dharan. Abu Sufian asked who these people could be? Badeel ibne Warqa said it could be the troops of Banu Qaza-aa. Abu Sufian said that Banu Qaza-aa had no means to mobilize such a huge army. They were still discussing the matter when they met Abbas ibne Abd al Mutallib. Abu Sufian asked him if he knew about the army at some distance from there. He replied that it was the army of the Prophet Of Islam (s.a.). The Prophet (s.a.) was marching towards makka with an army of 10,000 men and might attack with the dawn! He said none from the Qureish will survive this onslaught. Hearing this, Abu Sufian shivered.and asked what should be done to save themselves. Abbas asked him to sit on his mule behind him and that he will get him amnesty by talking to the prophet. When Abbas passed through the army with Abu Sufian, Omer espied them and he went running to the Prophet (s.a.) and told him that the enemy of Allah was coming. He asked for his permission that he would kill him. When Abbas heard Hazrat Omer stressing on killing of Abu Sufian, he said:
“Stop O Omer!
You are saying this
because he is from the progeny of Abd Munaf. If he was from your tribe,
Banu Adi,
you would never have uttered any such thing.”
Ref: Tareeq e Tabari, Vol 2, Page 331
The Prophet (s.a.) told Abbas to keep Abu Sufian in his tent and fetch
him to his presence in the morning. When he was brought in the morning, the Prophet (s.a.) said,” O Abu Sufian! You have still not understood that besides Allah, there is no other god!” Abu Sufian replied that it seemed like it. If there was any other god than Allah, he would have come to their rescue. The Prophet (s.a.) said, “You have still not understood that I am the Prophet of Allah (s.a.)?”Abu Sufian replied that his mind was not clear about it! Abbas told to Abu Sufian that if he cared for his life, he should embrace Islam.or else someone would kill him. When he saw that there was no other way, he recited the Kalima and joined the ranks of Muslims. Abbas recommended that Abu Sufian loved pomp and show and that he may be given some important position. The Prophet (s.a.) said that whoever took shelter in his house will have amnesty and also those who take shelter in the Bayt al Haram too will have amnesty. Those who lock theselves up in their homes too shall be safe. The Prophet (s.a.) asked Abbas to take Abu Sufian to such a spot that he could have a birds eye view of the vast army! Abbas took him to a place from where he saw the well armed troops, row after row! He told to Abbas,”Your nephew has become the ruler of a great Empire!” Abbas replied,” it isn’t an empire. It is only the grandeur of the prophethood!” Abu Sufian added, “I didn’t remember when I made the remark! It must be as you say!”
After seeing the army of Islam, Abu Sufian returned to Makka. He told to the Qureish that Mohammed (s.a.) had come with a huge army. People asked him if he had been there? What has he said? Abu Sufian informed them that the Prophet (s.a.) had told him that those who took shelter in Abu Sufian’s house will have amnesty. The people said that his house wasn’t big enough to take lot of people. He then told that those who took shelter in the Bayt al Haram too will have amnesty. He then addressed the Qureish and told them that they are not strong enough to fight the Muslims. It would be better for them if the embraced Islam. His wife, Hind binte Otba, hearing this came forward and caught hold of his beard and said, “O people! Kill
this foolish old man!” Abu Sufian told her,” remember! If you hesitate slightly in embracing Islam, you will lose your head!” The Qureish were still brooding over the matter in surprise when Saad ibne Ibada entered Makka carrying the Standard of Islam.
The words that Saad was uttering were manifesting his desire to avenge the atrocities that the Qureish had inflicted on the Muslims and that he will advance killing people and letting their blood. Abbas told to the Prophet (s.a.) that Saad had intensions to harm the people. The Prophet (s.a.) had no plan to enter into unnecessary fights. He therefore asked Ali (a.s.) to:
“go to Saad,
take the Standard from him
and enter Makka!”
Ref: Tareeq e kaamil, Vol 2, Page 166
Hazrat Ali (a.s.) took the Standard from Saad and marched into Makka with the army behind him. Qureish had no courage left to encounter the huge army. They locked themselves up at homes. For those who had the doors of Macca closed for them yesterday, the doors of victory and success were wide open today. This was a victory of Islam’s love for peace and amity! For this victory they didn’t have to fight any battles. But in every group there will be some trouble makers. They cannot live without being harsh to their adversaries. Therefore, Khalid ibne Walid, who had embraced Isslam just before the conquest of Makka, and Islam hasn’t yet brought about any change in his thinking, while passing through the lower reaches of Makka, started fighting with Banu Bakr. The Prophet (s.a.), passing through the Mount Hajoon, noticed the shining of the blades of swords. This upset him very much. He ordered, “This bloodshed must be stopped forthwith!” But many men from Banu Bakr were already killed. When the Prophet (s.a.) arrived from the upper reaches of Makka, he came to the Kaaba.and circumambulated it. He noticed that the chiefs of the Qureish were standing with bowed heads. These were the persons who did everything possible to harm the Prophet (s.a.). they pushed him away from home and didn’t let him live in peace even in exile. He looked at them and asked what treatment they expected from the Muslims? They put their heads further down in shame! The Speaker of Qureish, Sohail ibne Umro said,” You are the son of a noble brother and a noble uncle! We only expect good from you! “The Prophet (s.a.) replied, “Today there will be no revenge taken on you! Go! You are all free!” This was the manifestation of the noble character and broadmindedness of the Prophet (s.a.). Those who were his deadly enemies embraced Islam. Yesterday’s orphan was today’s ruler who not only ruled their bodies but also their hearts! The hegemony of Qureish had vanished in thin air and infidelity died its own death!
Although the men of Makka embraced Islam, and some of them were already having the seeds of Faith in their minds, but certainly there was a vast majority of persons who had embraced Islam in their helplessness. Sudden change in the Faith and beliefs is difficult for the human nature. There were also some who were adamantly infidel. Many of them escaped from Makka and were hiding elsewhere. They would have proved dangerous for Islam. Therefore it was necessary to mete out to them
punitive punishment. Although the Prophet (s.a.) had declared general amnesty, he issued orders for some mischief mongers to be executed wherever they were found, even if they were hanging form the cover of the Kaaba. Therefore Abd Allah ibne Khatal.and his slave girl who used to sing lampooning songs against the Prophet (s.a.), Hawairas ibne Naqeed and Maqees ibne Sababa were executed. Some persons were pardoned from orders of execution as well. Therefoe Abd Allah ibne Abi Sarah took shelter with Hazrat Othman and was released on his recommendation. Akrama ibne Abi jahl escaped towards Yemen. His wife Umm e Hakim appealed for amnesty for him, that was granted. Habar ibne Aswad, Umro ibne Abd al Mutallib’s slave girl Sara and Khatal’s slave girl saved themselves by embracing Islam. Besides these some other persons were hiding in Makka with the intention of creating trouble. Hazrat Ali (a.s.) heard that Harit ibne Hisham and Qais ibne Saib and some persons of Bani Maqzoom were there in the house of Umme Haani binte Abi Talib. He came to her house and asked that those hiding inside must be handed over. Umme Hani couldn’t recognize Hazrat Ali (a.s.). She said, “O person! I am the real sister of Ali (a.s.) and the daughter of Mohammed (s.a.)’s uncle! If you force me to surrender those whom I have given shelter, I shall complain to the Prophet (s.a.). Now Hazrat Ali (a.s.) removed the hood from his head when Umm e Hani recognized him. She ran close to him and said that she had already resolved to complain to the Prophet (s.a.). He said, “You may keep your resolution by complaining to the Prophet (s.a.)! Umme Hani then came to the Prophet (S.A.). The Prophet (s.a.) asked her the reason for her visit. She said, “O Prophet of Allah! I have given shelter to some people from my husband’s family. Ali (a.s.) wants to take then in custody!” The Prophet (s.a.) said, “To whomsoever you gave shelter, I have given shelter!”
About the events of the conquest of Makka, Hazrat Ali’s attitude had been exemplary at all stages. He preferred obedience to the Prophet (s.a.) over everything else. This attitude was so much engrained in his nature that everything he thought and did was a reflection of the actions of the Prophet (s.a.). He was the keeper of the confidences of the Prophet (s.a.) about the campaign for the conquest of Makka and he never opened his mouth ever to assert his own importance when a Companion who was there at Badar and Bait e Rizwan tried to reveal the secret to save his family from the Qureish in Makka. When Abu Sufian consulted him regarding the renewal of the truce with Qureish, unlike Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Omer he adopted a soft, discreet attitude in denying to intercede with the Prophet (s.a.) that was acknowledged by Abu Sufian on his return to Makka. This was the reason that he had not returned to Makka totally dissatisfied about his efforts at renewing the truce. If this was not the case, he would certainly have stressed that the Muslims might soon attack them. In that event all efforts at keeping the plans of the attack confidential would have been futile. Then Hazrat Ali (a.s.) also hinted to Abu Sufian that there was no guarantee that if he made unilateral announcement of renewal of the truce, whether it would be of any advantage or not. This advice by Hazrat Ali (a.s.) to Abu Sufian appeared as if he wanted to momentarily shake him away. But even then Abu Sufian was grateful and did acknowledge it when he returned back to Makka.
During this campaign too the Standard of Victory was in the hands of Hazrat Ali (a.s.) like in all other battles. Although in the beginning the Standard was given to Saad ibne Ibada, but when his attitude was seen to be harsh and revengeful, the Prophet (s.a.) took away the Standard from him and gave to Hazrat Ali (a.s.). If the Prophet (s.a.) had given the Standard to anyone other than Hazrat Ali (a.s.), Saad would have deemed it a personal affront and might have hesitated to hand over the Standard But giving it to Ali (a.s.) was like giving it back to the Prophet (s.a.) himself. Hazrat Ali (a.s.) had the capability of handling matters both at war and during the peace times. One can’t even imagine that he would do anything under momentary emotions. It is an attractive aspect of his character that when at war, he is an adept warrior and in peace he is so soft and pliable that he never took part in any warlike actions!
Here, he also manifested his attitude of following the rules. He didn’t want to spare even the persons who took shelter in his own sister’s house till the Prophet (s.a.) himself ruled on the matter. This shows that in the enforcement of the law there was no dividing line between kin, friend or foe!.
Aal-e-Qutub Aal-e-Syed Abdullah Shah Ghazi 