TOWARDS GLOBAL PEACE

This is how the historian Ibn Hisham, in his biography of the Prophet describes these events: “Who can show us a path not occupied by the Quraysh?” the Prophet asked. One of them volunteered to do so and then proceeded to guide the Muslims by a route which led through arduous, rocky and mountainous passes, but when they had done so and emerged upon an open plain, the Prophet called on them to seek forgiveness of God and turn to Him. This they did. This was obviously a trying time for the Muslims, but they had to face their trial with patience and forbearance. This was the path laid down for them by God. Even the slightest hesitation to follow that path was to be considered a transgression, for which forgiveness had to be sought. That is why the Prophet urged his followers to repent and seek forgiveness for any weakness or irritability they may have shown at that taxing time. Difficulties were to be faced with fortitude. No impulse was to cause one to deviate from the path of God. In order to survey the situation, the Prophet made a halt at Hudaybiya, situated nine miles from Makkah. From Hudaybiya he sent one Kharash ibn Umayyah on camel back to inform the Makkans that the Muslims had come to visit the House of God, not to do battle. On reaching Makkah, Kharash’s camel was slaughtered, and attempts were made to murder him as well, but somehow he managed to escape and return to Hudaybiya. The Prophet then set Uthman to appeal to the Makkans to refrain from hostilities and tell them that the Muslims would return quietly to Madinah after performing the rites of Umrah. The Makkans paid no heed and took him prisoner. Later Mikraz ibn Hafs, along with fifty men, attacked the Muslims at night, raining stones and arrows. Mikraz was captured, but no action was taken against him; he was released unconditionally. Then, as the Muslims were praying in the early morning, eighty men from Tanim attacked them. They were also taken captive and then allowed to go free unconditionally. Lengthy negotiations with the Quraysh ensued. Finally a truce was agreed upon between the two sides under which the Muslims were to return without visiting the Kabah. At first sight, this truce appeared to amount to an outright victory for the Quraysh and defeat for the If someone conspires against you, you should render the conspiracy ineffective through wisdom and silent positive action.