Today, we become familiar with some of the important and fateful developments in the waning years of the life of Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny). Do stay with us.

Last week, we spoke of the conduct and behavior of Prophet Mohammad throughout military confrontations. The interesting point in the Prophet’s military approach in battles was that he used appropriate methods and techniques based on the conditions of the battlefield and the state of enemy forces. However, he never behaved unethically toward troopers and civilians.

On the Islamic month of Zel Qa’deh in the year 6th AH, Prophet Mohammad headed for Mecca in order to observe Minor Hajj Pilgrimage, and called on Muslims to accompany him on this journey and pilgrimage. Thus, a large number of Muslims accompanied the Prophet of Islam, heading toward Mecca. These Muslims which in accordance to Islamic narrations totaled 1,400 in numbers, all wore Ihram special attires and only carried swords. Upon the arrival of Muslims to proximity of Mecca, they were informed that Qoraish had decided to prevent their entry to Mecca. So, upon the Prophet’s instruction, Muslims settled in Hodaibiah Village, at a 20-kilometer distance from Mecca. In this location, a number of envoys of Qoraish tribe approached the Prophet and negotiated with Muslims to get informed about the motives and goals of Muslims, who were heading toward Mecca. They observed that Muslims were wearing Ihram special attires, and their camels were marked for sacrifice. Qoraish tribal leaders finally sent Urvat ibn Masoud Saqafi as their envoy to approach the Prophet and to become informed about the actual goals of Muslims. The Prophet told Qoraish envoy that he had no intention of war and had only come for the purpose of pilgrimage of Holy Ka’ba.

In this meeting, Urvat was astounded by the deep love and devotion of Muslims toward the Prophet of Islam, Mohammad. Upon returning to Qoraish, he noted that he had attended the royal courts of Kasra, Caesar, and Negus, but had never found out a ruler maintaining grandeur among his followers, to the extent that Prophet Mohammad maintained among his followers. He added that: “If you imagine that they would leave Mohammad or become scattered, you are making a huge mistake. Now, the decision is yours.”

In the meantime, the Prophet also intended to send an envoy to Mecca to negotiate with the leading members of Qoraish about the entry of Muslims to Mecca and observation of Minor Hajj Pilgrimage. Finally, the Prophet chose Ottoman for this mission. Ottoman left for Mecca. However, after a short while, rumors were spread among Muslims that Ottoman had been killed. This rumor provoked the sentiments of Muslims and the Prophet decided to appropriately react to this development. Prophet, thereafter, renewed his allegiance with his disciples and followers. On this basis, the Prophet pledged with Muslims to resist until their last breath. Meanwhile, Muslims renewed their allegiance with the Prophet. This allegiance was in fact a maneuver for showing the high preparedness of Muslims in countering enemies, which instilled fear among polytheists and ultimately led them to submit to a compromise.

A while later it was found that Ottoman was alive. Thereafter, polytheists sent Soheil son of Amr, which was a known Qoraish tribal member, to approach Prophet Mohammad for compromise. He told the Prophet that Mecca was the place of honor of his peers and Arabs were aware that polytheists and Muslims were at war. He added that under these circumstances if Muslims would enter Mecca, the weakness of polytheists would be revealed to all Arabs, tempting Arabs to seize their lands. The polytheists’ envoy therefore called on Muslims to return to Medina and to observe the Minor Hajj Pilgrimage, the next year.

After long negotiations, finally a peace treaty was concluded between Muslims and the polytheists of Mecca. This peace agreement included a number of articles on the observation of Minor Hajj Pilgrimage by Muslims the next year; maintenance of the physical and financial security of Muslims who arrive in Mecca from Medina; a ten-year cessation of hostility among Muslims and polytheists; and freedom of Meccan Muslims in observation of Islamic rituals. This agreement in fact temporarily terminated the battles of Muslims and polytheists.

The parties to this agreement pledged to respect each other’s lives and assets. Moreover, it was agreed that the Prophet would return to Medina that year and would not enter Mecca. But it was agreed that the next year, Qoraish would leave Mecca for three days, so that Prophet Mohammad and Muslims would pilgrimage Holy Ka’ba. It was also agreed that Muslims would only carry swords. A group of Muslims and polytheists bore witness to this agreement, which was penned by the First Infallible Imam of the Prophet of Islam’s Household, Imam Ali (Peace be upon him).

Upon the conclusion of this agreement, the Prophet instructed Muslims to sacrifice the camels they have brought; to shave their heads, and to take out their Ihram attires. However, many Muslims were saddened because in their view, taking off Ihram attire without observation of the Minor Hajj Pilgrimage was impossible. Meanwhile, the Prophet took the lead; sacrificed a camel; and took out his Ihram attire. So, Muslims followed suit and implemented the Prophet’s instruction. At that point in time, Muslims didn’t know that glittering and resounding victories awaited them after the conclusion of this peace agreement. Meanwhile, at this stage, Fat’h Surah of Holy Quran descended upon the Prophet, heralding a major victory to the Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny).

This peace agreement was very beneficial for Muslims. In Holy Quran, God refers to this peace agreement as a clear victory for Muslims. One of the benefits of this treaty was that the next year Muslims went to Mecca, observing the Minor Hajj Pilgrimage, and circling round Holy Ka’ba in a glorious manner.

Furthermore, prior to this peace agreement, Muslims of Mecca were pressed and persecuted by polytheists and could not observe Islamic rituals. However, Muslims’ conditions improved after the conclusion of this peace agreement. Moreover, Muslims easily commuted to other regions, and practically came in close contact with polytheists, as a result of which polytheists gained a better understanding of the sacred religion of Islam, Prophet Mohammad, and Muslims, and their views toward Islam gradually changed. Also, in this phase in time, many converted to the divine religion of Islam. Previously, the polytheists of Mecca intended to destroy Muslims. But, they later admitted that this was no easy task. Upon the conclusion of this peace agreement, in fact, Qoraish recognized the political existence of the Prophet of Islam’s ruling system in Medina. In this manner, the status of Muslims in the Arabian Peninsula was cemented. This in turn raised an opportunity for Prophet Mohammad to extend his invitation to Islam to other parts of Arabian Peninsula and even overseas; while writing letters to global leaders, and inviting them to monotheism.

MR/ME