Issues of Ijtihad

controversy, one may strengthen oneself so greatly that a time will come when ultimately the balance of power will change without any major confrontation. The Prophet of Islam adopted this wise course on the occasion of the drawing up of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. When the Makkans heard that their opponents had gathered at Hudaybiyyah, they too reached there to stop the Muslims from going any further. The Prophet at this juncture was on his way to Makkah to perform the rite of Umrah (minor pilgrimage). Thus, a situation of deadlock came to be created at Hudaybiyyah. The Prophet did not resort to breaking this deadlock in order to move ahead. Instead, he withdrew and returned to Madinah after signing the Hudaybiyyah Peace Treaty on terms dictated entirely by the Quraysh. It amounted to accepting the status quo already established between the Prophet and the other party. This wisdom gave the Prophet an opportunity for further consolidation, which became a reality within a period of a mere two years. It was at that stage that the Prophet’s victorious and peaceful entry into Makkah became a possibility. Ease in difficulty The Prophet of Islam conquered Makkah in 8 A.H. Then he set off from Makkah for Taif, along with his companions. In those days there were no well-laid roads in and around Makkah, and on the journey, they had to walk along a narrow path, which lay between two hills.