Uthman’s mission and the pledge of Ridwan

The emissaries had come and gone, questioning the Muslims’ motives. How was the Prophet to convince the Quraysh that his only reason to enter Makkah was spiritual? He decided to send his own emissary; Uthman bin Affan, to state that he had come only to perform Umrah. Uthman was to invite the Quraysh to Islam and to cheer the believing men and women still in Makkah with the tidings that Allah was about to make their religion victorious. The time was at hand when they would no longer be required to conceal their faith.

Uthman entered Makkah under the protection of Abban bin Sayeed Umwi and conveyed the message. The Quraysh offered him the opportunity to circumambulate the Ka’bah, but he refused to do so while the Prophet himself was prevented from performing this act of worship.

The Quraysh decided to keep Uthman with them for a while, perhaps to send him back after they had something concrete to offer the Muslims. But with the delay rumours had spread that he had been slain. Since the assassination of a messenger is a declaration of war, the Prophet had to prepare for war.

Standing under a tree, the Prophet exhorted his followers to take an oath. They came up swearing to remain on the battlefield and to fight unto death. Placing one hand on the other, the Prophet said, “This is the pledge on behalf of Uthman.” Just then, Uthman himself came up, and the believers were spared from going into battle, but they had proved their sincerity with their pledge. Allah revealed a verse referring to the sanctity of the covenant: “Allah was pleased with the believers when they swore allegiance unto you beneath the tree.” (48: 18).

And from that day on, the pledge under the tree came to be called, “Bay’a Al-Ridwan,” or the pledge of those who had earned Allah’s pleasure.