THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME WITH PROPHET MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH 062 THE FIRST UMRAH AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE TREATY OF HUDAYBIYAH by Khadeijah A. Stephens Copyright © 1984-2012 by Allah.com Muhammad.com Mosque.com Khadeijah A. Stephens Bismillah Ir Rahman Ir Raheem The First Umrah After the Signing of the Treaty of Hudaybiyah Almost a year had passed since the signing of the Treaty at Hudaybiyah so two thousand pilgrims busied themselves with their preparations to offer the lesser pilgrimage at their beloved Ka'bah. Neither Khalid nor Amr wished to be in Mecca when the Muslims arrived to offer their pilgrimage as they both held the opinion that the treaty had been a moral victory for the Muslims and signaled the beginning of the end of the Koraysh resistance. However, they had kept their opinion to themselves and had, unknown to one another, left Mecca well in advance to avoid their arrival. A Time for Reflection There was, however, a difference between the two. Amr remained adamant in his resistance whereas Khalid, although it was hard for him, started to examine his motives. Traditional pride, no matter whether it could be proved to be sound or baseless, had always been a matter he considered too blasphemous to even question. However, he could not help but think that the encounters at Uhud and the Trench had been futile, and when the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) eluded him before the treaty of Hudaybiyah he was heard to exclaim, "That man is protected!" Then there was Khaybar, Khalid could not help but wonder in amazement at its fall; the band of Muslims had been so small against the large, well armed Jewish army. It was time for self-examination, and soul searching. The Koraysh Vacate Mecca There was always the chance the Koraysh might violate their treaty with the Muslims and accomplish their aim of annihilating the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and the Muslims, so the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) had instructed that some arms should be carried so that they could defend themselves if necessary. Some distance away from the sacred precincts of Mecca, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) called the pilgrims together and told them to disguard their weapons. He then placed two hundred pilgrims in charge of the weapons and told them that once the other Muslims had performed their Umra he would replace them with a new set of guards and they could then offer their pilgrimage. The Koraysh were true to their word, when news reached Mecca that the pilgrims had reached its outer limits they vacated Mecca to stay in the surrounding hills and mountains. As for the Koraysh chieftains, they situated themselves on the Mount of Abu Kubays from which they could view the Ka’bah and monitor the movements of the Muslims. The Pilgrims Enter Mecca The Koraysh now gazed down from the mountain as the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), riding his favorite camel Kaswa, led the procession of pilgrims into Mecca with Abdullah, Rawahah's son walking beside holding Kaswa's bridle. The pilgrims arrived on camels and foot dressed in white, whilst all chanted the compelling supplication Prophet Abraham had offered so many centuries before on the first pilgrimage: "Labbayk Allahumma Labbayk! - Here I am O Allah, obedient to You with pleasure and happiness!" At the entrance to the Holy precincts of Ka’bah, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), still mounted on his camel, rearranged his pilgrimage attire, tucking it under his right arm so that his shoulder was bare, then he crossed the two ends over his left shoulder so that one piece hung down in front and the other at the back. All eyes were on the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). Rumors had been spread that the Muslim had been weaken by fever in Medina, so to allay the rumor in order and show that the Muslims were strong, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) ordered them to jog around Ka’bah in the first three circumambulations and walk for the remaining and the Companions obeyed. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) rode to the south-east corner of the Ka’bah and reverently touched the Black Stone with his staff, then he circumambulated Ka’bah seven times, after which he made his way to the foot of the hill of Safa and walked quickly between it and the hill of Marwah seven times, just as Lady Hagar had done so many centuries before when she searched for water for her infant son, Ishmael. The sacrificial animals had been led to the foot of Marwah and now that the rites between the two hills had been completed, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) sacrificed a camel. The lesser pilgrimage was complete and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) returned to the Sacred House with the intent to enter it. Before vacating Mecca, the Koraysh had locked the door to the Ka’bah -- which still housed numerous idols -- and a man from the tribe of Abd Ad-Dharr had taken its key with him. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) sent one of his Companions to ask for they key but the Koraysh chieftains refused saying that entry into the Sacred House had not been part of the agreement. It was a great disappointment to the pilgrims and none entered. Having accomplished the rites of the lesser pilgrimage, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) sent a party of Muslims back to relieve those guarding their weapons so they too might offer their pilgrimage. The time for Zuhr prayer approached so the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) asked Bilal to climb up on top of the roof of Ka’bah and make the call to prayer. Bilal climbed up on top and his dulcet, penetrating voice called the pilgrims to prayer. Bilal's call did not go unnoticed by the Koraysh chieftains who were extremely agitated when they realized that the caller was Bilal, a former slave, and that he was calling from the roof of Ka'bah. The three days allotted for the pilgrimage were among the happiest days they had spent since the migration to Medina. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) had pitched his tent near the Sacred House, and it was there that his uncle Al-Abbas, went to visit him despite the frowns of the Koraysh. During these brief days in Dhul Qa’da 7H, Al-Abbas suggested to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) he might like to take his widowed relative Maymunah, to be his wife and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) accepted the marriage proposal. Umarah, Daughter of Hamza Ali and Lady Fatima had accompanied the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) on the pilgrimage. When Al-Abbas told the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) that Umarah the daughter of Hamza's widowed wife Salma, was living with them on account of his wife's kinship to her, Ali suggested that when they returned to Medina, Umarah should return with them in Lady Fatima's howdah (in Arabic howdaj). The arrangement was accepted and so when the time came the ladies traveled to Medina together. Salma shared the same mother as Umm Fadl and Lady Maymunah, as did her full blood sister, Asma. However, Umm al Fadl and Lady Maymunah had another half sister on her father's side who was also called Asma. Asma was the widow of the Makhzumite chieftain Waleed through which union Khalid had been born, and so it was through these bonds of kinship Khalid was related to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). The Time to Leave As the three days drew to a close, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was found sitting with Sa’ad, Ubadah's son and several other Ansar when Huwytib and Suhayl came down from Abu Kubays and approached him saying abruptly, "Your time has reached its end, so go!" The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) requested a little more time saying, "Would it harm you to give me a little more time so that I may prepare a feast and celebrate my marriage amongst you?" The reply was sharp, "We do not need your feast - leave us! We ask you by Allah, and by the treaty we have with you to leave our City, the third night has now passed!" The Prophet’s Marriage to Lady Maymunah Sa’ad took offense at their abruptness, but the justice of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) prevailed and he stopped him saying, "Sa’ad, do not speak harshly to those who come to visit us in our camp." Then he gave instructions that no pilgrim should remain in Mecca after dusk. However, he made one exception, which was that Abu Rafi should remain behind to bring Lady Maymunah to him as soon as she was ready to travel. By dusk, the pilgrims had left their beloved Ka’bah built so many centuries before by Prophet’s Abraham and Ishmael and when Lady Maymunah joined the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) at Sarif their marriage was consummated. The Dispute That Arose Through Loving Care Several days had passed since their return when the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was awakened from his afternoon nap by the sound of heated voices. He was able to discern the voices, which were growing increasingly persistent, were those of Zayd, Haritha's son and two of the sons of Abu Talib, Ali and Jafar. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) arose, opened the door and called them to him then inquired the reason for their dispute. The Companions told the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) it was a matter of honor over who should be the guardian of Umarah, Hamza's daughter. Ever since Umarah's arrival in Medina she had lived with Lady Fatima and Ali. Ali claimed he had a better right than the others to her guardianship as he was her paternal uncle and had been entrusted with her safekeeping on the journey from Mecca. In turn, Jafar told the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) that she was his uncle's daughter and that his wife, Asma, was her maternal aunt. On account of the brotherhood established by the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) between Zayd and Hamza, Zayd was of the opinion that he should be her guardian as he had been left in charge of Hamza's affairs after his martyrdom. It said much for the character of these noble Companions who were all very willing to take Umarah under their guardianship, and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) praised them accordingly, then told them, "Jafar, you are like me in both looks and character, you have most right to her guardianship. A mother's sister is like a mother." Jafar was delighted but arose and said nothing then danced around the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) in a circle. "What is this?" asked the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) with amusement. Jafar replied, "I have seen Abyssinians honor the Negus in such a way. When the Negus gave anyone a good reason to be happy, that person would rise, then dance around him." As for the Abyssinian dance of honor, it is the spirit of Islamic civilization to absorb anything which is good no matter from which culture it is derived. In the months to come, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) arranged for Umarah to marry Salamah. Salamah was the son of Lady Umm Salamah and her martyred husband, Abu Salamah, and was the son of Hamza's sister, Barra. The First Umrah After the Signing of the Treaty of Hudaybiyah 061 Back Cover Subtitles A Time for Reflection The Koraysh Vacate Mecca The Pilgrims Enter Mecca Umarah, Daughter of Hamza The Time to Leave The Prophet’s Marriage to Lady Maymunah The Dispute That Arose Through Loving Care