Departure for Umrah and arrival at Huhaybia

Shortly after the resolution of the slanderous campaign against ‘Aishah, the Prophet had a vision. He saw himself and his Companions, entering the Sacred Mosque of Makkah, praying there and then shaving their heads. The Companions were informed forthwith that they were to perform Umrah shortly, and the Arabs living around Madinah were also invited to join them on the journey. They, however, were sceptical about going into the stronghold of the Quraysh. They also doubted the Prophet and his followers would ever return to Madinah if they did make it to Makkah. They begged the Prophet to pray for them.

The Prophet set out from Madinah along with 1400 Muhajireen and Ansar on Monday, Dhul Qa’dah 1, 6 A.H. He took along sacrificial animals. At Dhul Halifah, the animals were made to put on collars and their humps were slit, a clear indication that they were meant to be for sacrifice after performing Umrah. The Muslims then donned Ihraam and entered the state of consecration.

The Prophet then resumed his journey and reached Usfan. At this stage, the scout sent ahead by the Prophet came back with the news that the Quraysh were encamped at Dhul Tawa, determined to prevent the Muslims from performing Umrah, even if it meant another war. They had dispatched Khalid bin Waleed to Qura Al-Ghamim near Usfan to block off the route to Makkah, and had called on the neighbouring tribe for support. The Prophet conferred with his Companions about the situation, their choices being either to attack the allied tribes or to march ahead to the Ka’bah and fight those obstructing their worship of Allah.

Abu Bakr Siddeeq opined, “We have come to perform Umrah, not to fight; hence we will fight only against those who stand in our way.” The Prophet agreed with Abu Bakr, and it was decided to go on to Makkah.

At midday, the Muslims prayed. Khalid bin Waleed, who was watching their movements closely, decided that the Muslims were vulnerable to attack during prayer, especially while bowing and prostrating, and he decided to fall upon them at the next prayer. But Khalid was foiled, for between Zhur and ‘Asr, the Prophet received a revelation that the Muslims were not to pray a single congregation. One group of Muslims was to pray while others stood guard, and then those who had stood guard would pray while the others kept watch. This special form of prayer was termed “Salaah Al-Khauf” (The Prayer in Times of Fear), for it was meant to be performed in times of danger. The Prophet then decided to take another route to Makkah, and they arrived at Thaniyat Al-Murar to descend at Hudaybia. At this point the Prophet’s camel, Qaswa, knelt down, ignoring the repeated commands of the people around the Prophet . They shrilled, “Qaswa won’t get up, Qaswa won’t get up!”

The Prophet said calmly: “Qaswa has not refused, for such is not her nature. He who restrained the Elephant is keeping her back. I swear by the One Who holds my life, that if the Quraysh propose anything to me which is in keeping with the regard due to Allah, and ask me to show kindness, I will certainly accede to their request.”

The Prophet then chided the camel and she sprang up. He drove ahead and then halted at Hudaybia. At Hudaybia, Budayl bin Waraqa Khuzai appeared with a band of clansmen. They were well-wishers of the Prophet , and brought news of the Makkans’ determination to fight the Muslims and to prevent them from entering the Sacred Mosque. The Prophet’s answer was that he had come to perform pilgrimage and not to fight. However, he continued, if the Quraysh insisted on fighting, he would fight back until Allah granted him victory or death.