A Clear Victory - The Pact of Hudaybiyyah

The Messenger of Allah (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) along with fourteen hundred Companions (approximately) set out from Medinah towards Makkah intending to perform Umrah in the sixth year of Hijri. There was much excitement built up as it had been such a long time since they had last been in Makkah and there was much forward looking to perform the rituals of Umrah. In fact the Messenger of Allah (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) had seen a dream that he had entered Makkah and was circumbulating the Ka’bah. It was understood to be a glad tiding and the Sahabah (companions- may Allah be pleased with them) made preparations.

The Non-Muslims of Makkah had come to know of this and made intentions and plans not to allow the Muslims to enter Makkah to perform the Umrah. Hudaybiyyah (13.5 miles West of Makkah) was the place where a peace treaty and a contract of terms was drawn up. Included in this agreement was that they shall not perform the Umrah this time around. It was deemed to be one sided and much to the advantage of the Non-Muslims of Makkah. This naturally made the Sahabah concerned and they were at that moment trying their best to process this. The Prophet (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) had instructed to now shave their heads and sacrifice their animals. There was no response initially. The Prophet (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) then consulted Umm Salamah, his wife,(may Allah be pleased with her) who advised the Prophet (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to lead through action by sacrificing the animal and shaving the head while not saying anything. The Sahabah observed this and at once followed the guidance of the Prophet (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

Some of the lesson we learn from the above:

• Submission to the Prophetic guidance/instruction for there is always benefit through and through whether it be understood or not. True faith and love demands this just as the Sahabahs love, obedience and allegiance to the Prophet (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) made them follow his guidance in sacrificing the animal and shaving the head. Sometimes we are tested to see if we are going to choose what we want or what Allah wants.

• The importance and value of consultation

• The Status of Women in Islam. Here we see the Prophet (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) consulting his wife and she provided an excellent solution.

• The good results that leading by action and in deed can bring about.

• A turning point in the History of Islam. This is was a clear victory as it was the key and door that led to the victory of Makkah two years later. The peace treaty allowed for interaction and dialogue with non-Muslims who had accepted Islam in such numbers that they had never accepted prior to this.