The TREATY OF HUDAYBIYYA known as (Ṣulaḥ al-Ḥudaybiyya) is a significant agreement in the history of Islam. The event took place during the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). A crucial contract was signed at Mecca in January 628 (which corresponds to Dhu al-Qi’dah, AH 6) between the Holy Prophet (PBUH), and the Quraysh tribe.

The pact allowed the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his followers to return on a peaceful pilgrimage the next year, which was later known as The First Pilgrimage. The agreement served to relieve tension between the two groups and also affirmed peace for ten years.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the Quraish tribe signed the crucial pact after doing some negotiations. The Hudaybiyyah Treaty had several advantages, one of which was that it affirmed peace by reducing hostility between the two sides. Furthermore, it was because of this understanding that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his adherents were permitted to enter Makkah the following year for what is now known as the first pilgrimage.

HISTORY OF TREATY OF HUDAYBIYYA

Holy prophet (pbuh) saw a dream of performing the tawaf around the Holy Kaaba. For fulfilling his dream he (PBUH) accompanied himself with 1400 Muslim wearing Ihram clothes and decided to visit Makkah. The Muslims’ physical freedom was restricted and challenged by the Quraish tribe, and they were not allowed to engage in combat while in the sacred state. Muslims embarked their journey without weapons in the expectation that the Quraish would respect their customs and recognize their peaceful intentions to make the pilgrimage but the Quraish proved Muslims wrong.

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his followers were halted outside the city. The Makkah agents later refused to let the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) enter Makkah, so he tented outside the city and spoke with them.

 The Treaty of Hudaybiyya was drawn up to resolve the conflicts between both the parties in January 628 after several hours of calm negotiations.

TERMS OF THE TREATY OF HUDAYBIYYA

This treaty was a significant victory for those Muslims who wanted to perform pilgrimage without any problem. Pagans of Makkah agreed to resolve the situation after agreeing to the following points

• The treaty of Hudaybiyyah includes, the Muslims will go back to Madina without seeing Kaaba this year, and next year they will be allowed to visit Makkah for 3 days 
• Another key clause of the Hudaybiyya contract stated that anyone from Makkah who entered Madina would be returned to the Quraish, but anyone from Madina who prayed into Makkah would not receive the same kindness.
• The agreement between any tribe and the Prophet was ruled to be legal. In a similar vein, it was impossible to prevent anyone from joining the Quraish and signing an agreement with them.
• Ten years would pass while there would be a 10-year cease-fire between the sides. People were expected to coexist peacefully and safely throughout this period.

RESULT OF TREATY OF HUDAYBIYYA

The pact allowed the Muslims to perform their holy pilgrimage the next year peacefully and without any restrictions. Not only had this but the agreement also confirmed peace for ten years between the two groups.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TREATY

The significance which came along with this treaty for the Muslims is undeniable. The agreement was beneficial to the adherents of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), even though some of its provisions did not benefit Muslims but few points were highly advantageous for the Muslims which are as follows

• The hostile Quraish tribe accepted Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the ruler of Madina as a restatement.
• Because Muslims and polytheists were no longer at odds, some individuals began to see Islam in a new light and became followers.
• Muslims were permitted to form partnerships with other tribes following the pact.
• Muslims had the opportunity to spread Islam and deal with their opponents on the other side of the peninsula during the ten-year ceasefire.

SUMMARY OF THE TREATY

 The agreement benefited Muslims in the long run and is sometimes referred to as an “important step” in Muhammad’s (SAW) consolidation of authority. The Quraysh impliedly recognized the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as being on a par with them by signing the treaty and by allowing him to participate in the Kaaba pilgrimage, Muhammad (SAW) was able to boost the appeal of Islam among the tribes that held the Kaaba in high regard.The well-known biographer Ibn Hisham subsequently penned:

“No previous victory in Islam was greater than this… when there was an armistice and war were abolished and men met in safety and consulted together none talked about Islam intelligently without entering it.”

 The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah helped to keep Madina and Makkah at peace with one another. It enabled the creation of allies and guaranteed Muslims the opportunity to make a tranquil journey to the sacred Kaaba. It recorded and provided important lessons on peace, patience, and triumph for the real adherents of Islam.

MAIN POINTS OF THIS TREATY

The essential elements were as follows

• Ten-year ceasefire between the two parties
• Anyone leaving the Quraysh for Muhammad (SAW) without guardian consent will be returned to the Quraysh
• Those entering the Quraysh from the Muslims will not be sent back.

SURAH REVEALED AFTER THIS TREATY

The 48th chapter (surah) and 29 verses (ayat) of the Qur’an are collectively referred to as Al-Fath (Arabic, al-fat; meaning: “Victory” or “Triumph“). During the signing of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah between the Muslim city-state of Madina and the Makkah polytheists in the sixth year of the Hijrah, the surah was revealed in Madina.

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