Life of Muhammad — Page 124
sa 124 Khalifah of Islam) to the Meccans. ‘ Uthm a n ra 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 sa do so until the following year. "But," said ‘ Uthm a n ra , "I will not perform the circuit unless it is in the company of my Master. " ‘ Uthm a n's ra 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 sa. Upon this the Prophet sa assembled the Companions and said, "The life of an envoy is held sacred among all nations. I have heard that the Meccans have murdered ‘ Uthm a n ra. If this is true, we have to enter Mecca, whatever the consequences. " The Prophet sa 's earlier intention to enter Mecca peacefully had to be changed, under the changed circumstances. The Prophet sa 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 sa had hardly finished speaking, when all the fifteen hundred Companions stood up and jumped over one another to hold the Prophet's sa 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 sa 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 ‘ Uthm a n ra 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, Suhail, a chief of Mecca, came to the Prophet sa. A settlement was reached and recorded.