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*AR-RAHĪQ AL-MAKHTOUM (The Pure Nectar). A Treaties On Prophet Muhammad's Biography.*
*Part 166*
*THE LESSER PILGRIMAGE ('UMRAH) OF AL-HUDAIBIYYA IN DHUL-QA'ADAH, 6 A.H. continues*
*ABSTAINING FROM RETURNING WOMEN WHO IMMIGRATE*
When some women accepted Islam and came to the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him), he was asked by their guardians to send them back according to the terms of the agreement of Al-Hudaibiyya. He refused their request because women were not included in the agreement in essence. Concerning this matter, Almighty Allāh says:
Surah Al-Mumtahina, Verse 10:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا جَاءَكُمُ الْمُؤْمِنَاتُ مُهَاجِرَاتٍ فَامْتَحِنُوهُنَّ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِإِيمَانِهِنَّ فَإِنْ عَلِمْتُمُوهُنَّ مُؤْمِنَاتٍ فَلَا تَرْجِعُوهُنَّ إِلَى الْكُفَّارِ لَا هُنَّ حِلٌّ لَّهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحِلُّونَ لَهُنَّ وَآتُوهُم مَّا أَنفَقُوا وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ أَن تَنكِحُوهُنَّ إِذَا آتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ وَلَا تُمْسِكُوا بِعِصَمِ الْكَوَافِرِ وَاسْأَلُوا مَا أَنفَقْتُمْ وَلْيَسْأَلُوا مَا أَنفَقُوا ذَٰلِكُمْ حُكْمُ اللَّهِ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
O you who believe! When believing women come to you as emigrants, examine them, Allah knows best as to their Faith, then if you ascertain that they are true believers, send them not back to the disbelievers, they are not lawful (wives) for the disbelievers nor are the disbelievers lawful (husbands) for them. But give the disbelievers that (amount of money) which they have spent [as their Mahr] to them. And there will be no sin on you to marry them if you have paid their Mahr to them. Likewise hold not the disbelieving women as wives, and ask for (the return of) that which you have spent (as Mahr) and let them (the disbelievers, etc.) ask back for that which they have spent. That is the Judgement of Allah. He judges between you. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace of Allāh be upon him) tested them as to their belief according to the words of Allāh:
Surah Al-Mumtahina, Verse 12:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتُ يُبَايِعْنَكَ عَلَىٰ أَن لَّا يُشْرِكْنَ بِاللَّهِ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَسْرِقْنَ وَلَا يَزْنِينَ وَلَا يَقْتُلْنَ أَوْلَادَهُنَّ وَلَا يَأْتِينَ بِبُهْتَانٍ يَفْتَرِينَهُ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِنَّ وَأَرْجُلِهِنَّ وَلَا يَعْصِينَكَ فِي مَعْرُوفٍ فَبَايِعْهُنَّ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُنَّ اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
O Prophet! When believing women come to you to give you the Bai'a (pledge), that they will not associate anything in worship with Allah, that they will not steal, that they will not commit illegal sexual intercourse, that they will not kill their children, that they will not utter slander, intentionally forging falsehood (i.e. by making illegal children belonging to their husbands), and that they will not disobey you in any Ma'ruf (Islamic Monotheism and all that which Islam ordains) then accept their Bai'a (pledge), and ask Allah to forgive them, Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
So when a woman fulfilled these conditions, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace of Allāh be upon him) accepted her pledge of allegiance and didn't send her back.
According to the aforementioned verse Muslims divorced their polytheists wives. At this time 'Umar divorced two women whom he married before his conversion to Islam.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE PROVISION OF THE AGREEMENT
When one studies thoroughly the clauses of this peace treaty, he will ascertain that it is a great victory for Muslims. Quraish never acknowledged Muslims; rather, they aimed to eradicate them and did all in their power to stand between people and Islam in its capacity as the representative of the religious and worldly leadership around Arabia. Thereupon, their mere tendency towards peace is construed as an acknowledgement of Muslims' power and their failure to resist them.
As for the third article, it means that Quraish forgot about their material superiority and religious leadership. So they became self-centred and it didn't matter to them if Arabia as a whole embraced Islam. Isn't this a total failure of Quraish and a great triumph for Muslims?
The bloody battles Muslims fought against their enemies were not intended for capturing property, killing people or coercing the enemy into accepting Islam. The only objective of these wars was to provide complete freedom of belief and religion to all people. Almighty Allāh says:
Surah Al-Kahf, Verse 29:
وَقُلِ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَمَن شَاءَ فَلْيُؤْمِن وَمَن شَاءَ فَلْيَكْفُرْ إِنَّا أَعْتَدْنَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ نَارًا أَحَاطَ بِهِمْ سُرَادِقُهَا وَإِن يَسْتَغِيثُوا يُغَاثُوا بِمَاءٍ كَالْمُهْلِ يَشْوِي الْوُجُوهَ بِئْسَ الشَّرَابُ وَسَاءَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا
And say: "The truth is from your Lord." Then whosoever wills, let him believe, and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve. Verily, We have prepared for the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.), a Fire whose walls will be surrounding them (disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah). And if they ask for help (relief, water, etc.) they will be granted water like boiling oil, that will scald their faces. Terrible the drink, and an evil Murtafaqa (dwelling, resting place, etc.)!
Muslims sacrifice their lives and property to achieve this objective entirely and properly. By virtue of this freedom Muslims achieved a considerable success in their vocation. So they were three thousand people before the truce and at the Conquest of Mecca the Muslim army was up to ten thousand fighters.
As regards the second article, it is considered as a second part of this victory. Muslims had no started any wars. But it was Quraishites who began fight as Allāh says:
Surah At-Taubah, Verse 13:
أَلَا تُقَاتِلُونَ قَوْمًا نَّكَثُوا أَيْمَانَهُمْ وَهَمُّوا بِإِخْرَاجِ الرَّسُولِ وَهُم بَدَءُوكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ أَتَخْشَوْنَهُمْ فَاللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخْشَوْهُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Will you not fight a people who have violated their oaths (pagans of Makkah) and intended to expel the Messenger, while they did attack you first? Do you fear them? Allah has more right that you should fear Him, if you are believers.
Muslims aimed to limit Quraish's arrogance and fight against Islam through their military expeditions. So to make a ten-year peace agreement is considered to be an end to their arrogance and opposition as well as evidence for the failure of one who began fight and resorted to force. Concerning the first article, it is a limitation for denying Muslims admittance to the Holy Masjid. It merely meant that they succeeded in forbidding Muslims from entering it for only one year.
Thus Quraish gave great opportunities to Muslims through the previous three articles. But the fourth article which apparently was in Quraish's benefit was very trivial. It didn't harm Muslims in any way; it is known that a Muslim who adheres to his religion never abandons Allāh, His Messenger of escapes from Madīnah. He can do so in case he renounces Islam secretly or publicly. So when he apostatizes and secedes from the Muslim community, Muslims become in no need of him. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace of Allāh be upon him) says: "He who leaves us and defects to them (Quraishites) may be kept away by Allāh." (Narrated by Muslim). As for a Meccan who embraces Islam, if he couldn't immigrate to Madīnah, the earth is vast. Abyssinia was a haven for Muslims at the time when the people of Madīnah knew nothing about Islam. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace of Allāh be upon him) said: "And he who joins us from them (Meccans) Allāh will provide him with relief and a way out." (Narrated by Muslim)
The fourth article indicates Quraish's fear for their heathen entity. It seemed that their entity was on the verge of fall, that's why they adopted this policy of retention. The fact that the Prophet (Blessings and Peace of Allāh be upon him) agreed not to return a Muslim who flees to Quraish was evidence that he depended upon consolidation and strengthening his entity considerably.
*{To be continued In-sha-Allāh (If Allāh Wills)...}*
*"And keep reminding, because reminding benefits the believers."* (Qur-ān 51:55)
*AR-RAHĪQ AL-MAKHTOUM (The Pure Nectar). A Treaties On Prophet Muhammad's Biography.*
*Part 166*
*THE LESSER PILGRIMAGE ('UMRAH) OF AL-HUDAIBIYYA IN DHUL-QA'ADAH, 6 A.H. continues*
*ABSTAINING FROM RETURNING WOMEN WHO IMMIGRATE*
When some women accepted Islam and came to the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him), he was asked by their guardians to send them back according to the terms of the agreement of Al-Hudaibiyya. He refused their request because women were not included in the agreement in essence. Concerning this matter, Almighty Allāh says:
Surah Al-Mumtahina, Verse 10:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا جَاءَكُمُ الْمُؤْمِنَاتُ مُهَاجِرَاتٍ فَامْتَحِنُوهُنَّ اللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِإِيمَانِهِنَّ فَإِنْ عَلِمْتُمُوهُنَّ مُؤْمِنَاتٍ فَلَا تَرْجِعُوهُنَّ إِلَى الْكُفَّارِ لَا هُنَّ حِلٌّ لَّهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحِلُّونَ لَهُنَّ وَآتُوهُم مَّا أَنفَقُوا وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْكُمْ أَن تَنكِحُوهُنَّ إِذَا آتَيْتُمُوهُنَّ أُجُورَهُنَّ وَلَا تُمْسِكُوا بِعِصَمِ الْكَوَافِرِ وَاسْأَلُوا مَا أَنفَقْتُمْ وَلْيَسْأَلُوا مَا أَنفَقُوا ذَٰلِكُمْ حُكْمُ اللَّهِ يَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
O you who believe! When believing women come to you as emigrants, examine them, Allah knows best as to their Faith, then if you ascertain that they are true believers, send them not back to the disbelievers, they are not lawful (wives) for the disbelievers nor are the disbelievers lawful (husbands) for them. But give the disbelievers that (amount of money) which they have spent [as their Mahr] to them. And there will be no sin on you to marry them if you have paid their Mahr to them. Likewise hold not the disbelieving women as wives, and ask for (the return of) that which you have spent (as Mahr) and let them (the disbelievers, etc.) ask back for that which they have spent. That is the Judgement of Allah. He judges between you. And Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace of Allāh be upon him) tested them as to their belief according to the words of Allāh:
Surah Al-Mumtahina, Verse 12:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتُ يُبَايِعْنَكَ عَلَىٰ أَن لَّا يُشْرِكْنَ بِاللَّهِ شَيْئًا وَلَا يَسْرِقْنَ وَلَا يَزْنِينَ وَلَا يَقْتُلْنَ أَوْلَادَهُنَّ وَلَا يَأْتِينَ بِبُهْتَانٍ يَفْتَرِينَهُ بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِنَّ وَأَرْجُلِهِنَّ وَلَا يَعْصِينَكَ فِي مَعْرُوفٍ فَبَايِعْهُنَّ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُنَّ اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
O Prophet! When believing women come to you to give you the Bai'a (pledge), that they will not associate anything in worship with Allah, that they will not steal, that they will not commit illegal sexual intercourse, that they will not kill their children, that they will not utter slander, intentionally forging falsehood (i.e. by making illegal children belonging to their husbands), and that they will not disobey you in any Ma'ruf (Islamic Monotheism and all that which Islam ordains) then accept their Bai'a (pledge), and ask Allah to forgive them, Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
So when a woman fulfilled these conditions, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace of Allāh be upon him) accepted her pledge of allegiance and didn't send her back.
According to the aforementioned verse Muslims divorced their polytheists wives. At this time 'Umar divorced two women whom he married before his conversion to Islam.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE PROVISION OF THE AGREEMENT
When one studies thoroughly the clauses of this peace treaty, he will ascertain that it is a great victory for Muslims. Quraish never acknowledged Muslims; rather, they aimed to eradicate them and did all in their power to stand between people and Islam in its capacity as the representative of the religious and worldly leadership around Arabia. Thereupon, their mere tendency towards peace is construed as an acknowledgement of Muslims' power and their failure to resist them.
As for the third article, it means that Quraish forgot about their material superiority and religious leadership. So they became self-centred and it didn't matter to them if Arabia as a whole embraced Islam. Isn't this a total failure of Quraish and a great triumph for Muslims?
The bloody battles Muslims fought against their enemies were not intended for capturing property, killing people or coercing the enemy into accepting Islam. The only objective of these wars was to provide complete freedom of belief and religion to all people. Almighty Allāh says:
Surah Al-Kahf, Verse 29:
وَقُلِ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكُمْ فَمَن شَاءَ فَلْيُؤْمِن وَمَن شَاءَ فَلْيَكْفُرْ إِنَّا أَعْتَدْنَا لِلظَّالِمِينَ نَارًا أَحَاطَ بِهِمْ سُرَادِقُهَا وَإِن يَسْتَغِيثُوا يُغَاثُوا بِمَاءٍ كَالْمُهْلِ يَشْوِي الْوُجُوهَ بِئْسَ الشَّرَابُ وَسَاءَتْ مُرْتَفَقًا
And say: "The truth is from your Lord." Then whosoever wills, let him believe, and whosoever wills, let him disbelieve. Verily, We have prepared for the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.), a Fire whose walls will be surrounding them (disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah). And if they ask for help (relief, water, etc.) they will be granted water like boiling oil, that will scald their faces. Terrible the drink, and an evil Murtafaqa (dwelling, resting place, etc.)!
Muslims sacrifice their lives and property to achieve this objective entirely and properly. By virtue of this freedom Muslims achieved a considerable success in their vocation. So they were three thousand people before the truce and at the Conquest of Mecca the Muslim army was up to ten thousand fighters.
As regards the second article, it is considered as a second part of this victory. Muslims had no started any wars. But it was Quraishites who began fight as Allāh says:
Surah At-Taubah, Verse 13:
أَلَا تُقَاتِلُونَ قَوْمًا نَّكَثُوا أَيْمَانَهُمْ وَهَمُّوا بِإِخْرَاجِ الرَّسُولِ وَهُم بَدَءُوكُمْ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍ أَتَخْشَوْنَهُمْ فَاللَّهُ أَحَقُّ أَن تَخْشَوْهُ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Will you not fight a people who have violated their oaths (pagans of Makkah) and intended to expel the Messenger, while they did attack you first? Do you fear them? Allah has more right that you should fear Him, if you are believers.
Muslims aimed to limit Quraish's arrogance and fight against Islam through their military expeditions. So to make a ten-year peace agreement is considered to be an end to their arrogance and opposition as well as evidence for the failure of one who began fight and resorted to force. Concerning the first article, it is a limitation for denying Muslims admittance to the Holy Masjid. It merely meant that they succeeded in forbidding Muslims from entering it for only one year.
Thus Quraish gave great opportunities to Muslims through the previous three articles. But the fourth article which apparently was in Quraish's benefit was very trivial. It didn't harm Muslims in any way; it is known that a Muslim who adheres to his religion never abandons Allāh, His Messenger of escapes from Madīnah. He can do so in case he renounces Islam secretly or publicly. So when he apostatizes and secedes from the Muslim community, Muslims become in no need of him. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace of Allāh be upon him) says: "He who leaves us and defects to them (Quraishites) may be kept away by Allāh." (Narrated by Muslim). As for a Meccan who embraces Islam, if he couldn't immigrate to Madīnah, the earth is vast. Abyssinia was a haven for Muslims at the time when the people of Madīnah knew nothing about Islam. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace of Allāh be upon him) said: "And he who joins us from them (Meccans) Allāh will provide him with relief and a way out." (Narrated by Muslim)
The fourth article indicates Quraish's fear for their heathen entity. It seemed that their entity was on the verge of fall, that's why they adopted this policy of retention. The fact that the Prophet (Blessings and Peace of Allāh be upon him) agreed not to return a Muslim who flees to Quraish was evidence that he depended upon consolidation and strengthening his entity considerably.
*{To be continued In-sha-Allāh (If Allāh Wills)...}*
*"And keep reminding, because reminding benefits the believers."* (Qur-ān 51:55)
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