Hazrat Umar Farooq — Page 14
When the Quraish learnt of this pledge, they became apprehensive and let Hadhrat Usmaan go. They were however determined to avoid confrontation with the Muslims and wanted to secure an agreement with the condition that the Muslims would return to Madinah on this occasion and come for pilgrimage next year. To draw a treaty of peace, the Makkans sent Suhail, a Makkan leader, to the Holy Prophet. The Holy Prophet, then, summoned Hadhrat Ali to act as the scribe of the treaty. The Holy Prophet started dictating the terms of the treaty. As soon as he said, “In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful,” Suhail objected by saying, “Allah we know and believe in, but what is this ‘The Gracious and the Merciful’? This agreement is between two parties therefore the religious beliefs of both parties should be respected. The Holy Prophet agreed and said to Hadhrat Ali, “Only write, ‘In the name of Allah’. ” The Prophet then started dictating, “These are the terms of peace between the people of Makkah and Muhammad the Prophet of God. ” Again Suhail objected and said, “If we believed you as a Prophet of God, we would not have fought you. ” The Prophet accepted his objection again. Instead of ‘Muhammad, the Prophet of God’, he proposed ‘Muhammad, son of Abdullah’. The treaty contained the following conditions: “There will be no fighting for ten years. Anyone who wishes to join Muhammad and to enter into any agreement with him is free to do so. Similarly anyone wishes to join the Quraish and to enter into any agreement with them is also free to do so. A young man, or one whose father is alive, if he goes to Muhammad without permission from his father or guardian, will be returned to his father or guardian. But should anyone go to the Quraish, he will not be returned. This year Muhammad will go back without entering Makkah. But next year he and his followers may enter Makkah, spend three days and perform the circuits. During these three days the Quraish will withdraw to the surrounding hills. When Muhammad and his followers enter Makkah, they will be unarmed except for the sheathed swords which wayfarers of Arabia always have with them. ” While the treaty was being inscribed, Suhail’s son Abu Jandal, wearing handcuffs and chains and bearing marks of injuries all over his body, staggered in the Muslim camp. He told Muslims that because he had embraced Islam he was tortured. He begged that he should not be returned to Makkah as he might not survive further cruelty. Suhail demanded that he should be handed over into his custody. The Holy Prophet was greatly moved by the condition of Abu Jandal and pleaded with Suhail to let him remain with the Muslims, but Suhail was adamant that according to the treaty just signed, he would take his son back to Makkah. The Holy Prophet then addressed Abu Jandal and said, “Have patience, and put your trust in Allah. He will certainly provide for your freedom and provide for the freedom of other persons like you. We are unable to help you, as we have entered into an agreement with the Makkans, we cannot go against our word. ” The Muslims were very upset and felt that the terms of the treaty were not in their favour. Though Hadhrat Abu Bakr and other Companions remained quiet, yet Hadhrat Umar could not contain himself and went to the Holy Prophet and said, “O Prophet of Allah: Are we not in the right?” “Yes,” said the Holy Prophet, “We are in the right. ” “Then why this agreement and why these humiliating terms?” asked Umar. 14