After a dream of entering the Sacred Mosque, the Prophet ﷺ sets out with about 1,400–1,500 Muslims to perform ‘Umrah, unarmed but for sheathed swords. Quraish block the way at al-Hudaibiyah. When ‘Uthman, their envoy, is long delayed and feared killed, the Muslims pledge under a tree to stand firm (Bay’at ar-Ridwan). Quraish then agree a ten-year truce: the Muslims return this year and come back next year for three days. The terms seem one-sided, and Abu Jandal is sent back in chains, but the Qur’an calls the treaty “a manifest victory”.
As the book dates it: Dhul-Qa’dah, 6 A.H.
Verily, We have given you a manifest victory.
Who was there
- UA‘Uthman bin ‘AffanAn early believer who married two of the Prophet’s daughters in turn and migrated to Abyssinia.
- SASuhail bin ‘AmrThe Quraish negotiator who agreed the Treaty of al-Hudaibiyah.
- U‘Umar bin al-KhattabOnce set on killing the Prophet ﷺ, he accepted Islam and the Muslims began to pray openly at the Ka’bah.
- USUmm SalamahWidow of Abu Salamah, married in Shawwal 4 A.H.; her advice at al-Hudaibiyah settled the Muslims.
- AJAbu JandalSuhail bin ‘Amr’s Muslim son, who arrived in chains just as the Hudaibiyah treaty was being written and had to be sent back.