Lessons of the Prophet’s Life

of A.H. 6, during peace negotiations with the Quraysh, young Abu Jandal, bloodstained and in chains, pleaded with the Muslims not to send him back to the polytheists now that he had accepted Islam, the Prophet ordered that, according to the terms of the treaty which had been agreed upon, he be sent back to Makkah. “Abu Jandal,” he said, “be patient. God will grant you, and those persecuted along with you, release from your suffering.” If the previously mentioned hadith enjoined one to fight and be martyred irrespective of the conditions, the Prophet would not have urged patient resignation on Abu Jandal; instead, he would have told him to seek martyrdom; he and his companions would have fought with great zeal at Abu Jandal’s side. During the same Hudaybiyyah encounter, the Quraysh told the Prophet they would not let him enter Makkah that year. Accepting this, the Prophet returned to Madinah without insisting on visiting the House of God. This was an entirely religious affair; indeed, the Prophet had acted on divine inspiration in setting out for Makkah with his companions. Even so, he withdrew. If the previously mentioned hadith had referred to fighting and being martyred in an absolute sense, the Prophet would have insisted on visiting the House of God that year, whether he had succeeded in his purpose or been martyred in the process. ‘Ammar ibn Yasir and his parents were servants of the Banu Makhzum tribe in Makkah when they accepted Islam.