Introduction to the Study of The Holy Quran — Page 179
179 perform even the circuit of the Ka‘bah. The Meccans would be humiliated if they permitted the circuit this year. The following year, they might do so. Some tribes allied with the Meccans urged upon the Meccan leaders to let the Muslims perform the circuit. After all, it was only the right of circuit they wanted. Why should they be stopped even from this? But the Meccans remained adamant. Thereupon the tribal leaders said, the Meccans did not want peace and threatened to dissociate themselves from them. Out of fear, the Meccans were persuaded to try to reach a settlement with the Muslims. As soon as the Prophet got to know of this, he sent ‘Uthman (later the Third Khalifah of Islam) to the Meccans. ‘Uthman had many relatives in Mecca. They came out and surrounded him, and offered to let him perform the circuit, but declared that they would not let the Prophet do so until the following year. "But," said ‘Uthman, "I will not perform the circuit unless it is in the company of my Master. " ‘Uthman’s talks with the chiefs of Mecca became prolonged. A rumour was mischievously spread that he had been murdered. It reached the ears of the Prophet. Upon this the Prophet assembled the Companions and said, "The life of an envoy is held sacred among all nations. I have heard that the Meccans have murdered ‘Uthman. If this is true, we have to enter Mecca, whatever the consequences. " The Prophet’s earlier intention to enter Mecca peacefully had to be changed, under the changed circumstances. The Prophet went on, "Those who promise solemnly that if they have to go further, they will not turn back save as victors, should come forward and take the oath on my hand. " The Prophet had hardly finished speaking, when all the fifteen hundred Companions stood up and jumped over one another to hold the Prophet’s hand and take the oath. This oath possesses a special importance in the history of early Islam. It is called the "Pledge of the Tree". When the oath was taken, the Prophet was sitting under a tree. Everyone of those who took the oath remained proud of it to the end of his days. Of the fifteen hundred present on the occasion, not one held back. They all promised that if the Muslim envoy had been murdered, they would not go back. Either they would take Mecca before dusk, or they would all die fighting. The taking of the oath was not over when ‘Uthman returned. He reported that the Meccans did not agree to let the Muslims perform the circuit until the following year. They had appointed their delegates to sign a settlement with the Muslims. Soon after, Suhayl, a chief of Mecca, came to the Prophet. A settlement was reached and recorded. Treaty of Hudaybiyyah It ran as follows: In the name of Allah. These are the conditions of peace between Muhammad, son of ‘Abdullah, and Suhayl bin ‘Amr, the envoy of Mecca. 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. Anyone who wishes to join the Quraysh and to enter into an agreement with them is also free to do so. A young