Chapter 7: The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah

Chapter 7: The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah

Several years after migrating to Madinah, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his followers still longed for Makkah. It was their birthplace, the city of the Ka‘bah, and the center of their faith. Though they had been forced to leave, their love for Makkah never faded. In the sixth year after Hijrah, the Prophet ﷺ had a dream that Muslims would enter Makkah peacefully to perform Umrah, the lesser pilgrimage.

Believing this dream to be a sign from Allah, the Prophet ﷺ decided to travel toward Makkah with his companions. About fourteen hundred Muslims set out from Madinah. They carried no weapons of war, only travel swords, as was the custom. Their intention was clear: they were not coming to fight, but to worship.

When the Quraysh of Makkah heard about this journey, they became alarmed. Years of conflict had filled them with fear and suspicion. They assumed that the Muslims might attack the city. To stop them, the Quraysh sent armed men and blocked the main routes to Makkah.

The Prophet ﷺ did not want confrontation. He changed the route and stopped at a place called Hudaybiyyah, just outside Makkah. There, the Muslims set up camp. Tension filled the air, but the Prophet ﷺ remained calm and patient.

Messengers were sent back and forth between the two sides. The Prophet ﷺ sent Uthman ibn Affan to Makkah to explain their peaceful intentions. For a while, Uthman did not return, and a rumor spread that he had been killed. This deeply upset the Muslims. They gathered and pledged loyalty to the Prophet ﷺ, promising to stand firm if needed. This pledge became known as the Pledge of Ridwan.

Soon after, the rumor proved false. Uthman returned safely. The Quraysh then decided it was better to negotiate than to risk war. They sent a representative named Suhail ibn Amr to discuss terms with the Prophet ﷺ.

After long discussions, a treaty was written. This agreement became known as the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah.

The terms of the treaty surprised many Muslims. According to the agreement, Muslims would not enter Makkah that year but could return the next year to perform Umrah peacefully. There would be a truce between the two sides for ten years. Any tribe was free to join either side. However, one condition troubled the Muslims deeply: if someone from Makkah accepted Islam and went to Madinah, they would be returned, but if someone left Islam and went to Makkah, they would not be returned.

Many companions felt these terms were unfair. They were disappointed and confused. Some even questioned why they had to accept such conditions when they believed they were on the truth.

But the Prophet ﷺ accepted the treaty calmly. He understood something deeper. Peace, even with difficult terms, could open doors that war could not.

When the Muslims returned to Madinah without performing Umrah, their hearts were heavy. Yet soon, the wisdom of the treaty became clear.

For the first time in years, there was peace. People could travel safely. Muslims and non-Muslims met without fear. Conversations replaced battles. As a result, many people learned about Islam closely and accepted it. In just two years, more people accepted Islam than in all the previous years combined.

The Qur’an later described the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah as a “clear victory.” It was a victory not of swords, but of patience, wisdom, and trust in Allah.

The treaty also showed the world that Muslims honored agreements, even when the terms were difficult. This strengthened their moral position and earned respect from many tribes.

Eventually, the Quraysh themselves broke the treaty. When that happened, Muslims responded with dignity and strength, leading to the peaceful conquest of Makkah later on.

The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah teaches an important lesson. True success does not always come through force. Sometimes, restraint is greater than retaliation. Sometimes, stepping back leads to moving forward.

This chapter reminds us that leadership is not about pride, but about vision. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ showed that peace, patience, and trust in Allah can change the course of history.