And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], “Purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer].”
(Quran 3:125)
The Kaaba has a certain attraction that once one sees the Kaaba, one wants to see it again and again. Due to the prayer of Ibrahim (peace be upon him), Allah created a love for the Kaaba in the hearts of people. We are now in the sixth year of the Hijri. After being away from the Kaaba for almost six years, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) developed a strong love for the Kaaba.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) had a strange dream in which he saw himself and his companions performing Tawaf around the Kaaba, and after the Tawaf, some of them shaved their heads and some of them cut their hair short.
Upon waking up, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) told his companions about his dream and taught them how to perform Umrah. The Companions, and especially the pilgrims, were eager to see the Kaaba because they were born in it and grew up on the hill of the Kaaba.
Everyone is very happy to perform Umrah. On the first day of the month of Zirkat in the sixth year of the Hijri, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) set out for Mecca. About 1,400 companions set out on a journey with the Prophet (peace be upon him). Everyone started the journey together.
On this journey, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was accompanied by 70 camels. The Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions are advancing towards Mecca in a completely peaceful atmosphere.
Since there was no plan for war, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not carry any weapons on the journey and the companions only carried a sword each, as was customary. Even though there was no possibility of war, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) set out cautiously.
Although the Muslims defeated the Quraysh last year, Qurayshgarh did not completely surrender. The Quraysh had no right to prevent entry to the Kaaba because it was not their property. They were just maintenance workers. The Kaaba was built by the ancestor of the Arabs, Ismail a sallam.
Therefore, everyone has the right to visit the Kaaba. But breaking with centuries of tradition, the Quraysh did something that polytheists disliked.
The Quraysh declared that no Muslim would be allowed to enter the Kaaba. The refusal to enter the Kaaba is a serious matter because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had previously announced that he was going to perform Umrah, not just to fight.
The people of Arabia did not like this decision, and public opinion favored the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not fight, but he won. It is important to maintain public opinion on one’s side.
As the situation became increasingly complicated, the Prophet (peace be upon him) asked his companions for advice on what to do in the face of challenges.
Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “O Messenger of Allah, we are not going to fight there, but if someone prevents us, then we will resist.” Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) preferred the advice of the Messenger of Allah.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) peacefully set out towards the Kaaba, but the Quraysh sent an army of 200 men led by Khalid bin Walid and Abu Jahl.
As soon as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) heard this news, he set out on an alternative route. It wasn’t that he was afraid, but rather that he wanted to avoid war.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions reached a place called Hudaibiyah, one kilometre from Mecca.
Suddenly, the camel of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) fell down. Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “By Allah, I am willing to accept any offer from the Quraysh.”
At this stage, the exchange of representatives between the two sides began. The Quraysh wanted the Muslims not to perform Hajj, and the Muslims did not want to. However, there is no definitive account of who came before whom among these delegations. But the Quraysh somehow refused to let the Muslims enter Mecca.
The Quraysh sent Misrail Khas as a representative to the Muslims. As soon as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) saw him, he exclaimed: “This man is a traitor.”
It turned out that Misrail Khas was roaming around the Muslim tents with an army of 40 men. His intention was that if he found any of the Muslims alone, he would hand them over to the prisoners.
But the opposite happened, his entire army was captured by the Muslims. And Misrail Khas somehow escaped alive.
But the Prophet (peace be upon him) wanted to keep the situation normal, so he released the prisoners unconditionally.
On the other hand, the situation of the Quraysh began to deteriorate because everyone they sent came back and spoke in favor of the Muslims performing Umrah.
And it is He who withheld their hands from you and your hands from them within [the area of] Makkah after He caused you to overcome them. And ever is Allah of what you do, Seeing.
(Quran 48:24)
The Quraysh were determined to fight, but the Muslims did not want to fight, so Allah created a situation in which there would be no war. Meanwhile, a force of 80 Quraysh soldiers attacked the Muslim camp and the Muslims captured them. But when the above verse was revealed, they were set free.
By the will of Allah, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) controlled the entire incident in such a way that the Quraysh had no choice but to make peace.
Then the incident of Bayatur Ridwan happened. At this time, a rumor spread that Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) had been killed. Although the rumor was false, no one knows how it spread. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) returned to the tent and called everyone to take the oath of allegiance from him. According to many narrations, this oath was the oath of not fleeing from war.
And everyone who participated in this oath passed the test of faith. Although the war had not yet taken place, Through this oath, the Muslims pledged to fight.
Before we conclude today’s episode, we will discuss the status of the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Allah says in the Quran:
Indeed, those who pledge allegiance to you, [O Muhammad] – they are actually pledging allegiance to Allah. The hand of Allah is over their hands. So he who breaks his word only breaks it to the detriment of himself. And he who fulfills that which he has promised Allah – He will give him a great reward.
(Quran 48:10)
It was a great honor for those who took the oath of allegiance because they took the oath of allegiance at the hands of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). But Allah Almighty says that the Companions took this oath to Allah Himself.
Certainly was Allah pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you, [O Muhammad], under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down tranquility upon them and rewarded them with an imminent conquest.
And much war booty which they will take. And ever is Allah Exalted in Might and Wise.
(Quran 48:18-19)
Allah Ta’ala was pleased with those 1400 companions through this verse. Allah gave these people good news.
