Week Five: The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and Letters (Epistles) to Kings

Transcription

1 Week Five: The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and Letters (Epistles) to Kings Contents Umratul Hudaybiyyah... 2 Bay tur Ridwaan... 3 The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah... 4 Letters to the Kings

2 Umratul Hudaybiyyah Hudaybiyyah, 9 miles from Makkah, is the name of a well and the village around it became known because of this. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saw a dream where the Muslims were entering Makkah to perform Umrah. When the Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) heard of this, they began to anticipate a visit. On Monday, 1 st Dhul Qa'dah 6 A.H, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) with 1500 Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) set out with the intention of Umrah and did not carry any military equipment. When they reached Dhul Hulayfah, they donned their Ihrams and Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) sent Busr ibn Sufyan (radiallahu anhu) to spy on the Quraysh. When he reached Ghadir Ashtat, he received information that the Quraysh had amassed their forces and were adamant to refuse them entry. 2

3 Bay tur Ridwaan As Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) reached Hudaybiyyah, he attempted to steer his camel towards Makkah but it sat down and he set up camp there. There was a lack of water and as Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) erected an arrow in the well, water gushed forth. Khirash ibn Umayyah Khuza i (radiallahu anhu) was sent to Makkah to alert the Quraysh of the Muslims intentions but they slaughtered his camel and he managed to escape. It was then decided that Uthman (radiallahu anhu) would go as he had relatives in Makkah. Uthman (radiallahu anhu) conveyed their intentions but they replied that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would not be allowed entry and detained him. A rumour spread that Uthman (radiallahu anhu) was martyred and Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) became distressed, declaring that he would not leave until he had avenged his death. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) began taking pledges under an acacia tree that the Muslims would fight as long as they had life. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) placed his left hand in his right on behalf of Uthman (radiallahu anhu) This Bay at is referred to as Bay tur Ridwaan which is mentioned in Surah Fath. It later emerged that the rumours were false but when the Quraysh heard about the pledge, they became terrified and sent a message of truce. Budail ibn Waraqah, from the Banu Khuza ah tribe who were allies with the Muslims, came before Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) to inform him of the Quraysh forces being amassed on the outskirts of Hudaybiyyah. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) told him that they had not come to fight and were prepared to fix a time limit for ceasefire. If they rejected, the Muslims would wage Jihad. Budail went to the Quraysh however, they still refused. Urwah ibn Mas ood stood up and said that the proposal was in their interests and he would consult with Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) on this. Whilst Urwah was in the meeting, he witnessed the devotion of the Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) which he had not witnessed anywhere else. When he returned, he mentioned their dedication as something not witnessed in the courts of Caesar, Chosroes, Negus or others. On hearing this, Hulais ibn Alqamah asked to meet Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) but as he went forward and saw the Qurbani animals, he immediately returned telling the Quraysh that they had come solely to perform Umrah and so cannot be prevented. 3

4 The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah Mikraz then went forward and as he was speaking to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), Suhail ibn Amr appeared on behalf of the Quraysh to discuss details of a peace treaty. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) instructed Ali (radiallahu anhu) to write it down. Suhail asked Bismik-allahumma to be written as per ancient tradition instead of Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem and Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) the son of Abdullah instead of Rasulullah (Messenger of Allah) as he felt that had they regarded him as such, they would not have fought him. Some of the terms of the treaty were: All hostilities would cease for the next 10 years Any member of Quraysh that fled to Madinah without the permission of his master would be returned even though he was Muslim Any Muslim who fled to Makkah from Madinah would not be returned to the Muslims During this period, no party would raise a sword against the other nor would they engage in any form of treachery or betrayal That year, Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would return to Madinah without performing Umrah. He would be allowed to enter next year for 3 days only, and without any weapons The other tribes in the Peninsula had the option to ally themselves to whichever party they wish Many of the Muslims, including Umar (radiallahu anhu) expressed their anger at the conditions. On the finalisation, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) instructed the Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) to slaughter their animals and shave their heads. However due to their distress, no one carried it out. Umm Salamah (radiallahu anha) then advised Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) to do it first and the Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) quickly followed suit. After 2 weeks, the Muslims returned to Madinah and en route Surah Fath was revealed. It was recited to the Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) as they had considered this treaty to be a form of defeat but Allah referred to it as a great victory. 4

5 Letters to the Kings Due to hostilities amongst the Arabs, the doors of da wah were closed. However, the treaty threw the door open. Thus on his return, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) decided to send letters of da wah to the kings of the world. For this, the Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) advised a seal to be made for the letters as an official seal affixed would add to the letter s reliability. Letters were then dispatched, inviting the leaders to the truth. Emperor of Rome: Heraclius Dihya Kalbi (radiallahu anhu) was dispatched to the emperor of Rome. He took it, placed it on his head and eyes, kissed it and after opening and perusing it said that he would respond to it the next day. In the meantime he conversed with Abu Sufyan, not a Muslim at that time, who spoke very highly of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). The emperor then read the letter out to the gathering before him after being convinced that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was indeed a divine messenger. His people were angered, and due to the fear of assassination, he refused to embrace Islam. Emperor of Persia: Chosroe Parvez Abdullah ibn Hudhayfah (radiallahu anhu) delivered the letter to Parvez. As soon as his glance fell on it, he went into a rage and tore it to pieces remarking, This man has the audacity to write a letter like this? He is inviting me to embrace Islam whereas he is my slave! When Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was informed, he said, Chosroes's country has fallen to bits and pieces. This materialised immediately when Parvez's son Sherwayh, executed his father. Emperor of Abyssinia: Negus Amr ibn Umayyah Dhamiri (radiallahu anhu) handed the letter to the emperor, Ashamah. He immediately accepted it, placed it over his eyes in reverence, descended his throne and sat on the ground. He embraced Islam and dictated a reply to the letter in which he pledged his allegiance on the hands of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). When he passed away in Rajab 9 A.H. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) informed the Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) immediately and together they performed the Salatul Janazah. Governor of Egypt/ Alexandria: Muqawqis Hatib ibn Balta'ah (radiallahu anhu) was dispatched with this letter and it was received with great reverence. After asking Hatib (radiallahu anhu) some questions, he asked to be given time to deliberate further and placed the letter into an ivory box, instructing his treasurer to keep it safely. He wrote a reply to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) saying that he was certain of a final messenger but thought he was to come from Sham. Muqawqis sent 2 slave girls, a few sets of clothing and a mule as gifts. One of those slave girls was Mariyah Qibtiyyah(radiallahu anha) who would be the mother of Rasulullah s (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) son, Ibrahim (radiallahu anhu). Even though he displayed great esteem towards the letter and acknowledged that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was the final messenger, he did not embrace Islam. 5

6 Governor of Bahrain: Munzir ibn Sawa This letter was taken by Ala ibn Hadrami (radiallahu anhu). Ala (radiallahu anhu) advised him regarding Islam and the Akhirah and Munzir embraced Islam. Ruler of Amman This letter was addressed to the 2 sons of Julandi, Jayfar and Abd and was delivered by Amr ibn Aas (radiallahu anhu). Both brothers, and according to some narrations the father, embraced Islam. Chief of Yamamah: Huzah ibn Ali Salit ibn Amr (radiallahu anhu) delivered the letter to Huzah, who read it and entertained him with great esteem. He asked for some time and sent a reply to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) that he would accept if given some authority. However, he died without embracing Islam. Ruler of Damascus: Harith Ghassani When Shuj'a ibn Wahhab Asadi (radiallahu anhu) delivered the letter to Harith, he became angry and hurled it aside saying, Who is this man who threatens to usurp my country from me? I will pre-empt him and march against him. He then made preparations and even sent a letter to the emperor of Rome informing him, however was told to not go ahead with his plan. 6