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all believers donned
Al-Ihrâm
, the pilgrim’s garb. He despatched a reconnoiterer to hunt around for
news of the enemy. The man came back to tell the Prophet (Peace be upon him) that a large
number of slaves, as well as a huge army, were gathered to oppose him, and that the road to
Makkah was completely blocked. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) consulted his Companions, who
were of the opinion that they would fight none unless they were debarredfrom performing their
pilgrimage.
The Quraishites, on their part, held a meeting during which they considered the whole s ituation and
decided to resist the Prophet’s mission at all costs. Two hundred horsemen led by Khalid bin Al-
Waleed were despatched to take the Muslims by surprise during
Zuhr
(the afternoon) prayer.
However, the rules of prayer of fear 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.
When the Muslims reached a spot called Thaniyat Al-Marar, the Prophet’s camel stumbled and knelt
down and was too stubborn to move. Muhammad (Peace be upon him) swore he would willingly
accede to any plan they put forward that would glorify Allâh’s sanctities. 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 Al-Hudaibiyah beside a well of scanty water. The Muslims reported thirst to the
Prophet (Peace be upon him), 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. When the Prophet (Peace be upon
him) had rested, Budail bin Warqa’ Al-Khuza‘i with some celebrities of Khuza‘ah tribe, the Prophet’s
confidants, came and asked him what he had come for. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) 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 Holy Sanctuary. Should Quraish embrace the new religion, as
some people have done, they are most welcome, but if they stand in my way or debar the Muslims
from pilgrimage, I will surely fight them to the last man, and Allâh’s Order must be fulfilled.” The
envoy carried the message back to Quraish, who sent another one called Mikraz bin Hafs. On seeing
him, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said that that was a treacherous man. He was given the same
message to communicate to his people. He was followed by another ambassador known as Al-Hulais
bin ‘Alqamah. He was very much impressed by the spirit of devotion that the Muslims had for the
Sacred Ka‘bah. He went back to his men and warned them against debarring Muhammad (Peace be
upon him) and his Companions from doing honour to Allâh’s house on the peril of breaking his
alliance with them. Hulais was succeeded by ‘Urwa bin Mas‘ud Ath-Thaqafi to negotiate with
Muhammad (Peace be upon him). In the course of discussion he said to the Prophet (Peace be upon
him): “Muhammad! Have you gathered around yourself mixed people and then brought them
against your kith and kin in order to destroy them. By Allâh I think I see you deserted by these
people tomorrow.” At this point Abu Bakr stood up and expressed his resentment at this imputation.
Al-Mugheerah bin Shu‘bah expressed the same attitude and reprovingly forbade him from touching
the Prophet’s beard. Here, Quraish’s envoy remarked indignantly and alluded to the latter’s
treacherous act of killing his companions and looting them before he embraced Islam. Meanwhile,
‘Urwah, during his stay in the Muslim camp, had been closely watching the unfathomable love and
profound respect that the followers of Muhammad (Peace be upon him) showed him. He returned
and conveyed to Quraish his impression that those people could not forsake the Prophet (Peacebe
upon him) 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
Muhammad (Peace be upon him) 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.”
Seeing an overwhelming tendency towards reconciliation among their chiefs, some reckless, fight-
prone youngsters of Quraish devised a wicked plan that could hinder the peace treaty. They decided
to infiltrate into the camp of the Muslims and produce intentional skirmishes that might trigger the
fuse of war. Muhammad bin Maslamah, chief of the Muslim guards, took them captives, but in view
of the far-reaching imminent results about to be achieved, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) set
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]
Time passed. Negotiations went on but with no results. Then the Prophet (Peace be upon him)
desired ‘Umar to see the nobles of Quraish on his behalf. ‘Umar excused himself on account of the
personal enmity of Quraish; he had, moreover, no influential relatives in the city who could shield
him from danger; and he pointed to ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan, who belonged to one of the most powerful
families in Makkah, as the suitable envoy. ‘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
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