The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) – Volume III — Page 139
IV - Treaty of Ḥudaibiyyah & its Magnificent Outcomes 139 After this, the Holy Prophet sa had written, “ The agreement is that the people of Makkah shall not stop us from circumambulating the Baitullāh. ” Suhail immediately said, “By God, this shall not be possible this year, or we shall be disgraced before the Arabs. Nonetheless, you may come next year to circumambulate the Ka‘bah. ” The Holy Prophet sa said, “Alright, write this. ” Then, Suhail also had a condition written from himself that, “None from among the people of Makkah shall be permitted to join the Muslims even if he be a Muslim, and if such a person comes to the Muslims, he shall be returned. ” Upon this, the companions protested, “Glory be to Allāh! How is it possible that a man comes to us embracing Islām and we send him back!” While they were in this state of altercation, Abū Jandal, the son of Suhail bin ‘Amr, who was the ambassador of the Quraish, found way to this assembly suddenly, stumbling in fetters and handcuffs. This young man had been imprisoned by the people of Makkah on his becoming a Muslim and had subjected him to severe torment. When he came to know that the Holy Prophet sa had come so close to Makkah, somehow, he escaped the imprisonment of the Quraish and still tied in his fetters, he managed to stagger to Ḥudaibiyyah. Incidentally, he reached there at a time when his father was stipulating the condition, “Every man who comes to the Muslims from the people of Makkah, even if he be a Muslim, shall be returned. ” Abū Jandal threw himself before the Muslims and very painfully cried, “O Ye Muslims! I am being subjected to this torment, merely on account of my having accepted Islām! Save me for the sake of God!” Upon the sight of this, the Muslims began to toss in agony, but Suhail also remained obstinate and said to the Holy Prophet sa , “As per this treaty, this is the first demand I make to you, that you return Abū Jandal to me. ” The Holy Prophet sa said, “The treaty has yet to be finalised. ” Suhail said, “If you do not return him to me, consider this treaty dissolved. ” The Holy Prophet sa said, “Let it go and grant Abū Jandal to us as an act of favor and kindness. ” Suhail said, “No, never. ” The Holy Prophet sa said, “Suhail! Do not be obstinate! Listen to me on this. ” Suhail said, “I cannot accept this in any case. ” Upon this, Abū Jandal cried out once again, “O Ye Muslims! Shall your Muslim brother be sent back to the idolators after having suffered such severe torment?” 1 It is strange to note that at the time, Abū Jandal did not appeal to the Holy Prophet sa , rather, he appealed to the common Muslims. Perhaps this was because he knew that irrespective of how much pain the Holy Prophet sa held in his heart, he would never allow for the 1 Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābush-Shurūṭ, Bābush-Shurūṭi Fil-Jihādi. . . , Ḥadīth No. 2731-2732