The eclipse of the sun occurred in this year and Salaatul Kusoof (Salaat on the occasion of the eclipse of the sun) was ordained.

For the past 6 years, the Sahaabah Kiraam had neither seen the Ka’bah nor their homeland (Makkah). Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) was yearning to visit the Ka’bah to perform Hajj. During this time he dreamt that together with his Sahaabah he had gone to perform Umrah. When he narrated this dream, all the Sahaabah prepared themselves to visit the Ka’bah. Thus, Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) set of with a large body of Sahaabah to perform Umrah.

The first camp put up was at Zul Hulaaifah. From here, Bisr Bin Abi Sufyaan was despatched to reconnoitre the situation in Makkah. After having accomplished his mission, he met Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) at Asfaan. He informed that the kuffaar of Makkah were making preparations for war to prevent the Muslims from entering Makkah. While still at Asfaan, Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم) told the Sahaabah that Khalid Bin Walid had arrived in the Valley of Ghameem on a reconnoitring mission. He, therefore, instructed the Sahaabah to follow another route. He then called for a guide. Hadhrat Hamzah Bin Amr Aslami volunteered. The Sahaabah were then led by him through torturous mountainous terrain. Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم) ordered the Sahaabah to recite: نستغفر الله و نتوب اليه
(We seek forgiveness from Allah and we turn to Him in repentance.)

The Sahaabah repeatedly recited these words. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) said that when these words were presented to Bani Israeel, they refused to recite them. He also ordered them to walk on the right side.

At this juncture, Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) consulted the Sahaabah. Hadhrat Abu Bakr (radhiyallahu anhu) was of the opinion to refrain from all hostility unless attacked. He said that since the motive of the journey was not to fight, they should continue. If prevented by the kuffaar, then only should measures be taken to repulse them. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) approved this advice. Finally, the party of Sahaabah reached Hudaibiyyah. Here they were met by Budail Bin Warqah accompanied by a group of men. He informed Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) that the people of Makkah were preparing to intercept the party and prevent the Muslims from entering Makkah. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) sent Budail Bin Warqah to inform the kuffaar of Makkah that the motive for coming was not to fight. The intention was only to perform Umrah.

The kuffaar, however, rejected Rasulullah’s request for a peaceful entry and permission to perform Umrah. Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiyallahu anhu) was sent as the envoy to negotiate a peace treaty with the kuffaar. But the Quraish were adamant in their refusal. They flatly refused permission for Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) to enter Makkah although they consented to Hadhrat Uthmaan performing Umrah if he so desired. But, Hadhrat Uthmaan (radhiyallahu anhu) refused to perform Umrah without Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم).

The negotiations were prolonged. A rumour spread among the Muslims that Hadhrat Uthmaan was martyred. The Sahaabah and Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم) were greatly grieved and perturbed. In consequence of this rumour, Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) sat under a tree and took a pledge from all the Sahaabah to avenge the murder of Hadhrat Uthmaan. The name of this Bai’t (Pledge) is Bai’tur (or Baitur) Ridhwaan (The Pledge of Pleasure, i.e. Allah’s Pleasure).

When the kuffaar learnt of this Pledge, they quickly sent their envoy to negotiate a treaty. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) accepted every condition proposed by the kuffaar inspite of these conditions being clearly prejudicial and humiliating to the Muslims. The Sahaabah, in fact, were not prepared to accept these conditions and were determined to fight, but, the kuffaar again exhibited their intransigence. An example of their pettiness was their rejection of Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem being written in the treaty document. They averred that they were not aware of Rahmaan. They insisted on writing their customary invocation ‘Bismillaahi Allaahumma’. They further, rejected the inclusion of the phrase, “Muhammad, the Rasool of Allah”. Suhail who was the kuffaar’s scribe recording the terms of the treaty said:

“If we accept you as the Rasool of Allah, then there will not be this dispute. We shall not agree to you writing ‘the Rasool of Allah’. Write ‘Muhammad Bin Abdullah’.”

Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) replied:

“By Allah! I am the Messenger of Allah regardless of how much you deny it.”

He then instructed Hadhrat Ali (karramallahu wajhah) who was the scribe of the Muslims to delete the words ‘Rasul of Allah’ and to write Muhammad Bin Abdullah. Hadhrat Ali declared his inability of effecting this deletion. Nabi-e-Akram (صلى الله عايه وسالم) then erased the words himself, and substituted ‘Muhammad Bin Abdullah’. Ultimately, after considerable bickering and obstinacy the treaty was finalised. The following were among the terms of the treaty:

1. The Muslims should go back this year without performing Umrah.
2. They would be allowed the following year for only three days.
3. All warfare to cease for 10 years.
4. Any member of the Quraish who having embraced Islam seeks asylum with the Muslims in Madinah should be returned immediately. If a Muslim comes to Makkah, he shall not be sent back to Madinah.

It is obvious that these conditions were all in favour of the kuffaar. All the Sahaabah, especially Hadhrat Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) were enraged by these unjust terms. Nevertheless the treaty was ratified with the signatures of both parties. Thus, Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) returned with the Sahaabah without performing Umrah.

The dream which Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) had seen was undoubtedly true. In fact it did materialize. Since the time and year of the predicted Umrah were not specified in the dream, it was not necessary for the dream to have materialized that very year. The authenticity of the dream therefore remains unassailable.

Many events had transpired during the course of the enactment of this treaty. Two significant episodes will be recorded here. From these two events illustrate the extent to which Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) went in honouring the Pledge, and also the devotion of the Sahaabah.

1) Hadhrat Abu Jundal (radhiyallahu anhu) who had embraced Islam was held in captivity by the kuffaar in Makkah. He was in chains and being tortured. He managed to escape from prison. Still in fetters, he stumbled into the Muslim camp believing that he had reached safety. Suhail who was the kuffaar’s delegate in the negotiation of the treaty was Abu Jundal’s father. He slapped his son and insisted on taking him back into captivity. Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) responded that the treaty had not yet been finalised. The terms were, therefore, not yet in force. But, Suhail was adamant. Abu Jundal exclaimed that he had embraced Islam and narrated the hardships to which he was subjected. Only Allah Ta’ala is aware of the grief and anger which crossed the hearts of the Muslims. But, on the instruction of Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم), Hadhrat Abu Jundal was returned to the kuffaar. He consoled Abu Jundal and exhorted him to adopt sabr (patience), adding that soon Allah Ta’ala will be opening an avenue for him.

After the finalization of the treaty, another Sahaabi, Abu Baseer who had embraced Islam, arrived in Madinah Munawwarah. The kuffaar sent two men to bring him back. In terms of the treaty, Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) returned Abu Baseer who said: “O Rasulullah! I have embraced Islam and have come. Are you returning me into the claws of the kuffaar?”

Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) also advised him to adopt patience, adding that soon Allah Ta’ala will be opening up a way for him.

Hadhrat Abu Baseer was led back in the custody of two kaafirs. Along the way he started to flatter one of the guards. He praised the quality of the guard’s sword. The guard feeling flattered removed his sword from the scabbard and boasted: “I have practised with it on many people.” So saying, he handed the sword to Abu Baseer. Taking the sword, Abu Baseer swiftly disposed of the guard. When the other guard saw what had happened he took flight. He went to Madinah and lodged his complaint with Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم). Hadhrat Abu Baseer (radhiyallahu anhu) appeared on the scene and said:

“O Rasulullah! You have honoured your Pledge by having returned me. I have no pact with them, hence am not responsible to them for anything. They have attempted to force me from my Deen, hence I have done this.”

Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) said that this incident could spark off a war. “Would that he (i.e. Abu Baseer) had a helper.” Abu Baseer understood the implication of this statement. If the kuffaar came for him, he would again be handed over. He left and set up his hideout along the sea-shore.

Meanwhile Hadhrat Abu Jundal whose story has already been narrated, managed to escape from Makkah. He linked up with Abu Baseer. Thereafter, whoever embraced Islam in Makkah linked up with these fugitives. Soon they had grown into a sizeable group. They had to bear the hardships and austere conditions of the wilderness where there was neither food nor any settlement. But, an avenue had opened up for them. They waylaid every caravan of the cruel kuffaar which passed that way. They fought the infidels and captured the merchandise. They were occupying a vantage point where the caravans of the kuffaar of Makkah had to pass. They thus wrought havoc and rendered the kuffaar helpless. Finally, the kuffaar of Makkah sent an envoy to Madinah to appeal to Rasulullah (صلى الله عايه وسالم) in the name of Allah and for the sake of family ties to call this lawless band to Madinah, for then, at least they too will come under the scope of the treaty, clearing the way for the free movement of their caravans.

When Rasulullah’s letter reached Abu Baseer (radhiyallahu anhu), he was in his last illness. With the letter of Nabi-e-Kareem (صلى الله عايه وسالم) in his hands, he died.