Reconciliation of Hudaybiyah: The key to the conquest The Prophet’s strategy and diplomatic acumen
In the sixth year of the Hijrah, the Prophet (pbuh) and his companions set out to perform Umrah, but the Quraysh prevented them from entering Mecca. In these circumstances, the reconciliation of Hudaybiyyahtook place, which on the surface seemed unfair to the Muslims, but it was actually a clear conquest and a sign of the Prophet’s diplomatic acumen. What is the story of this reconciliation, and how did it lead to the realization of the Great Conquest?
The Umrah Journey and the Quraysh Ban
The Prophet (peace be upon him) left Medina in Dhu al-Qa’dah of the sixth year of the Hijrah, along with about one thousand four hundred companions, to go to the Sacred House of Allah to perform Umrah. He had no weapons except swords in their sheaths, indicating his intention of peace and Umrah and not war. When news of the Muslims’ arrival reached the Quraysh, they insisted on preventing them from entering Mecca, fearing their status and dignity, and sent Urwa bin Mas’ud al-Thaqafi and others to negotiate.
The Bay’ah of Radwan: The Fulfillment of Believers
While negotiations were underway, the Prophet sent Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) to the Quraysh to negotiate, but Uthman was late, and news of his murder was rumored. The Companions then pledged allegiance to the Prophet under a tree in a place known as Hudaibiyah to fight to the death to avenge Uthman. This pledge, known as the Pledge of Al-Radwan, was a demonstration of the Companions’ sincere faith and their willingness to sacrifice for the sake of Allah and His Messenger.
Evidence: The Qur’an mentions this blessed pledge of allegiance in Surat al-Fath:
لَّقَدْ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ يُبَايِعُونَكَ تَحْتَ الشَّجَرَةِ فَعَلِمَ مَا فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ فَأَنزَلَ السَّكِينَةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَثَابَهُمْ فَتْحًا قَرِيبًا
(Surat al-Fath: 18).
Reconciliation clauses: Bitter on the surface, open on the inside
After it became clear that Uthman had not been killed, and after difficult negotiations, a reconciliation was signed between the Prophet (peace be upon him) and Suhail ibn Amr, representing the Quraysh. The terms of this reconciliation seemed unfair to the Muslims, the most important of which were:
- A ten-year cessation of hostilities.
- Muslims will return to the city this year without performing Umrah, and will return next year.
- Whoever comes from the Quraysh as a Muslim to the Prophet will be returned tothem, and whoever comes from the Muslims as an apostate to the Quraysh will not be returned to them.
- Any tribe that wants to enter into an alliance with Muslims or Quraysh is free to do so.
Some of the Companions, led by ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), objected to these terms, seeing them as an insult to Muslims. But the Prophet, in his wisdom, saw what others did not, and was confident that this reconciliation would be good for the Muslims.
Evidence: The details of these clauses are mentioned in Sahih al-Bukhari and other books of Sunnah and Sira.
The Prophet’s wisdom and foresight: The revealed conquest
The Prophet’s wisdom soon became clear. The Qur’an describes this reconciliation as a “conquest”.
Evidence: The Almighty said:
إِنَّا فَتَحْنَا لَكَ فَتْحًا مُّبِينًا
(Surat al-Fath: 1).
How was the reconciliation of Hudaibiya a conquest?
- The Quraysh recognize the Muslims as a political force: For the first time, a treaty is made with the Muslims, a tacit recognition of their statehood in Medina.
- Spreading the call freely: The cessation of fighting for ten years allowed Muslims to spread the call to the Arab tribes more freely, without fear of the Quraysh’s warfare. More people became Muslims during this period than in all the years before.
- Tribes entering into an alliance with the Prophet: The Khuza’a tribe entered into an alliance with the Muslims, while the Bakr tribe entered into an alliance with the Quraysh. This played a major role in subsequent events.
- In preparation for the conquest of Mecca: The seemingly unfair condition (returning those who come as Muslims) did not last long, as experience proved that it was in favor of the Muslims. The Quraysh’s violation of the non-aggression clause against Muslim allies (when Bakr attacked Khuza’a) was the direct cause of the conquest of Mecca two years later.
Conclusion: Divine Strategy and Prophetic Diplomacy
The reconciliation of Hudaybiyyah is a unique example in the Prophet’s biography of wise leadership that looks at the far-reaching consequences and sacrifices the apparent to achieve the greater interests. This reconciliation was a lesson in diplomacy and patience, and a great conquest for the Muslims, no less important than the military conquests. It proves that wisdom and foresight, with reliance on God, can achieve victories that are not visible to the naked eye at first, but lead to great good.
What is the most important wisdom you have gleaned from the Prophet’s decision to accept the reconciliation of Hudaibiya?
