The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 127
IV - Treaty of Ḥudaibiyyah & its Magnificent Outcomes 127 “Yes, inform us of the proposal. ” As such, Budail repeated the proposal of the Holy Prophet sa. Upon this, a man named ‘ Urwah bin Mas‘ūd, who was a very influential chieftain of the tribe of Thaqīf, and was present in Makkah at the time stood up. In the ancient Arabian manner, he began to say, “O Ye people! Am I not like a father unto you?” They responded in the affirmative. He said, “Are the lot of you not as my sons?” Again, they responded in the affirmative. Then ‘Urwah said, “Do you doubt me in any way?” The Quraish responded, “Not at all!” He said, “Then it is my view that this man (i. e. Muḥammad sa has presented an excellent proposal. You should accept this proposal and I request that you allow me to go to Muḥammad sa in order to further discuss this proposal. ” The Quraish said, “Certainly. Go and discuss this proposal. ” 1 An Inspiring Scene of an Assembly of the Holy Prophet sa ‘ Urwah presented himself before the Holy Prophet sa and began to have a discussion with him. The Holy Prophet sa reiterated the same address which he had previously given to Budail bin Warqā. In principle, ‘Urwah was at accord with the viewpoint of the Holy Prophet sa , but in order to fulfill his duty as an ambassador of the Quraish and in order to secure as many rights as possible in favour of the Quraish, he began to say, “O Muḥammad [sa] , in this war, if you annihilate your people, then have you ever heard the name of any man among the Arabs who has committed such cruelty before you? If however, the matter goes the other way, i. e. , the Quraish become dominant, then by God, I see such faces around you, who shall not take long to flee. For all of them shall leave you. ” Upon hearing this, Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakr ra , who was sitting next to the Holy Prophet sa became furious and said, “Let you be cursed! Do you say that we shall abandon the Messenger of God?” 2 ‘Urwah asked in an outrage, “Who is this person who interrupts me?” The people said, “This is Abū Bakr ra. ” Upon hearing the name of Abū Bakr ra , ‘Urwah lowered his gaze in shame and said, “By god, were it not for the favour you did upon me, 3 upon this statement, I surely would have told you, how best to retort. ” Upon saying this, ‘Urwah began to address the Holy Prophet sa once again and continuing his address he 1 Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābush-Shurūṭ, Bābush-Shurūṭi Fil-Jihādi. . . , Ḥadīth No. 2731-2732 2 Lat was a famous idol of the tribe Banū Thaqīf, and the intent of Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakr ra was to express ‘You are such people who worship idols and we are ones to worship God. Is it possible that while you show patience and steadfastness for the sake of idols, we who believe in God should be ones to abandon the Messenger of God?’ 3 At one occasion, ‘Urwah was pressed by a heavy debt, and Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakrr a paid off his loan himself and saved his life.