ISLAMIC ACTIVISM

~ 17 ~ Again the Prophet followed the same policy of refraining from interfering with the status quo. By accepting the superior position of the Makkans he entered into a peace treaty with them, which is known as the Hudaybiyya Peace Treaty. In this, he acknowledged the established position of the Makkans and made a truce with the condition that no war would take place between the two parties for a period of ten years. The Hudaybiyya Peace Treaty was a successful example of positive status quoism. Consequently, the Prophet, by accepting the prevalent situation in Arabia, secured full opportunities for peaceful da’wah struggle and this opened the door for a “clear victory” in the words of the Qur’an (48:24). The principle of Islamic activism has been briefly alluded to in the Qur’an: Therefore bear up patiently as did the steadfast Prophets before you. Bear up with patience and do not seek to hurry on their doom. (46:35). According to this verse, there were in any given situation two ways of launching a campaign,—the patient and the impatient.