An Example of Noble Character

MERCY TO THE WORLDS back; on the second, his presence was so commanding that the Quraysh surrendered without resistance. This shows that Hudaybiyyah was a model of winning hearts, not bodies. Whereas war aims to destroy enemies physically, the Hudaybiyyah approach aims to transform them into allies. War puts your hand on their necks; Hudaybiyyah puts your hand on their hearts. War relies on domination; Hudaybiyyah achieves success through inclusion and reconciliation. War spreads hatred; Hudaybiyyah spreads love. The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah took place nearly 20 years after the Prophet’s mission began. Why did it take that long for this method to be used? The answer lies in chapter 48. The wisdom behind this was that, at that time in Makkah, there were many men and women whose hearts were inclined toward Islam. But since they had not yet openly declared their faith, you did not know who they were. In other words, they were potentially Muslims. If war had broken out between the two sides, these individuals would have been killed in the fighting. In your unawareness, you would have crushed both the people of denial and those who had actually affirmed faith. And without doubt, that would have been a great loss. (48:22-25) Then it is said: “God knew what you did not know.” (48:27) Based on this knowledge, the instruction was given at the time of Hudaybiyyah that even if the conditions seemed one-sided, they should be accepted in order to make peace with the leaders of Makkah. This would give those