Chief of the Prophets — Page 167
Chapter Eight 167 It so happened that in the month of Shawwāl in 6 A. H. , Muḥammad sa saw a dream that he along with his companions was entering into the Ka‘bah 1 in complete peace. Muḥammad sa mentioned this blessed dream to his companions. They were greatly pleased as they had for a long time been longing for the circuit and pilgrimage to the Ka‘bah. In the month of Dhul-Qa‘dah, 6 A. H. , Muḥammad sa along with 1,400 Companions set out for Makkah. The circuit of the Ka‘bah was considered so sacred, that even the worst enemies were never stopped from it. However, the Quraish’s enmity for the Muslims had crossed all bounds, so as a caution, Muḥammad sa instructed the Companions to carry no weapons or provisions of war except their sheathed swords. When Muḥammad sa reached close to Makkah, he found out that the Quraish were preparing to fight. Muḥammad sa sent Budail bin Warqā’, a member of the Banū Khuzā‘ah tribe who was still not a Muslim but was an ally of the Quraish, to communicate to them that the Muslims had come on a peaceful mission only to make the circuit of the House of Allah and the pilgrimage. Budail conveyed the message of Muḥammad sa , but the bloodthirsty and incensed people of Makkah denied the Muslims entry into Makkah. By the time Budail returned, Muḥammad sa had camped at a place called Ḥudaibiyyah. 2 Now, Muḥammad sa sent Kharāsh bin Umayyah, but he was ill-treated by the people of Makkah. His camel was killed and an attempt was made on his life as well, but he survived with the aid of a few of his allies. This time, Muḥammad sa dispatched ‘Uthmān ra as his ambassador to the Quraish; he was more influential and resourceful than the other Companions because of the size of his tribe. The Quraish said to ‘Uthmān ra that they would let him perform the circuit, but not the others. ‘Uthmān ra replied that 1 Zādul-Ma’ad. 2 See the discussion on the miracle of the abūndance of water and the reality of miracles in the Sīrat Khātamun-Nabiyyīn, Urdu edition, published by Islam International Publications, 1996, p. 752 to 755.