Treaty of Hudaybiyah

In the year 6 A.H. Rasulullah had a vision which he found himself and the Sahabah entering the holy place of Makkah to perform Hajj so he set out for Makkah in the month of Zul-Qaadah 6 A.H. with fourteen hundred Sahabah to perform Umrah, without the intention of going into battle. To avoid any misunderstanding from the kuffar that it was entirely a peaceful mission, he ordered that no one should carry any weapons except a covered sword, a common feature in those days. Camels for sacrifice were taken also. When Rasulullah approached Makkah, he set camp at Hudaybiyah, a mountainous plain, a few kilometres from Makkah in the direction of Jeddah. The kuffar did not allow them to advance regardless of the peaceful intentions of the Muslims.

Hazrat Uthman bin Affan (R.A.) the son-in-law of Rasulullah was sent as a representative for the Rasulullah and the Sahabah, to explain to the Quraish of Makkah of the intentions of Rasulullah and the Muslims. While Hazrat Uthman (R.A.) was negotiating with the Quraish, a report reached the Muslim camp that Hazrat Uthman (R.A.) had been murdered. This news caused a great stir in the Muslim camp. Rasulullah sat under a tree and called the Sahabah to take a fresh oath to fight to the last man. This pledge is known as “Bai’at al-Ridwan”.

After some time Hazrat Uthman (R.A.) returned unharmed. The kuffar sent Suhail bin Amr to come to terms with the Muslims. When Rasulullah saw Suhail bin Amr from a distance he said that now matters have become easy. Since the kuffar had sent him, their intention is to make peace.

A pact was drawn up, both parties agreeing to maintain peace for ten years on the following conditions: (1) The Muslims would return to Madinah without performing Umrah.
(2) They would come for Umrah the following year, and would stay in Makkah for only three days.
(3) They shall not come bearing arms except the sword.
(4) They would not take any Muslim living in Makkah to Madinah, and would not stop any Muslim from staying in Makkah.
(5) If any Makkan Muslim went to Madinah the Muslims would return him to Makkah, but if any Muslim from Madinah went to Makkah he would not be returned to Madinah.
(6) The Kuffar would neither attack Muslims nor help others against them, but would remain neutral in case of Muslims fighting a third party.
(7) All the Arab tribes shall be free to enter into alliance with whichever party they like.