Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 357
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 357 Allah so wills, in security, with your heads shaven or close - cropped and having no fear. Umar and the Companions of the Holy Prophet were still much perplexed. Umar has related: ‘During the course of the journey on the return from Hudaibiyya, I approached the Holy Prophet and accosted him, but he did not respond. I tried three times, but he re mained silent. I was much grieved over his silence and admonished myself that the Holy Prophet’s silence was an indication that I had ruined my soul. I withdrew myself from my fellows and was overcome by the fear that I might be condemned by God Almighty t hrough some revelation vouchsafed to the Holy Prophet. While I was thus perplexed I heard someone call: “The Holy Prophet summons Umar bin Khattab. ” I imagined that my fear was about to be confirmed, and I hastened to the Holy Prophet and, having greeted h im, sat down next to him. He told me that a Sura had just been revealed to him, which was dearer to him than everything else in the world, and he then recited some verses of Sura Fateh. I submitted, “Messenger of Allah, is this treaty truly the victory of Islam?” He responded, “Most certainly this is a victory for us. ”’ On learning that some of the Companions were wondering whether their apparent frustration at Hudaibiyya was indeed a victory, the Holy Prophet admonished them, ‘If you will reflect, this Truce is indeed a great victory for us. Quraish, who were committed t o hostilities against us, have agreed to put an end to them and have made a covenant of peace with us. They have promised to open the gates of Mecca to us next year. We are returning in peace and security, safeguarded against the mischief