Commencement of the Discussions on the Treaty with the Quraish

After presenting this brief and fundamental note relevant to miracles, we now return to our actual topic. We have already mentioned that upon reaching the valley of Ḥudaibiyyah, the Holy Prophet(sa) settled next to its water well. When the companions had set up camp, a renowned chieftain from the Khuzā‘ah tribe named Budail bin Warqā, who resided in a nearby region, came to meet the Holy Prophet(sa) with some of his associates and said, “The people of Makkah are ready for war and they shall never let you enter Makkah.” The Holy Prophet(sa) responded:

“We have not come with the intention of war, rather, we have only come to perform the ‘Umrah. Alas, despite the fact that the fire of war has burnt them to dust, they still do not refrain from fighting. I am even prepared to settle a truce with them so that they may cease war against me, and leave me free for the others. If however, they reject this proposal of mine and insist on keeping the fire of war aflame, then I also swear by His name in Whose hand is my life, that I shall not retreat from this battle, until I die in this cause, or God gives me victory. If I am faced with defeat in this battle, then so ends the story, but if God grants me victory, and the religion that I have brought is given dominance, then the people of Makkah should not hesitate in believing in me.”

Budail bin Warqā was greatly moved by this sincere and earnest address. He requested the Holy Prophet(sa), “If you grant me some respite, I shall go to Makkah and convey your message, so as to seek reconciliation.” The Holy Prophet(sa) permitted him to do so and Budail set out to Makkah with a few of his associates.1

When Budail bin Warqā reached Makkah, he gathered the Quraish and said, “I have come from that man (i.e., Muḥammad, the Messenger of Allāh(sa)), [it was a custom of the Arabs that in such situations when speaking of a well-known person, instead of referring to his name, the words ‘this person’ or ‘that person’ were used] and he has presented to me a proposal. If you permit me, shall I present it to you?” Upon this, the vehement and irresponsible people among the Quraish began to say, “We shall not listen to anything he has to say.” However, the influential and trusted people among the Quraish said, “Yes, inform us of the proposal.” As such, Budail repeated the proposal of the Holy Prophet(sa). Upon this, a man named ‘Urwah bin Mas‘ūd, who was a very influential chieftain of the tribe of Thaqīf, and was present in Makkah at the time stood up. In the ancient Arabian manner, he began to say, “O Ye people! Am I not like a father unto you?” They responded in the affirmative. He said, “Are the lot of you not as my sons?” Again, they responded in the affirmative. Then ‘Urwah said, “Do you doubt me in any way?” The Quraish responded, “Not at all!” He said, “Then it is my view that this man (i.e. Muḥammad(sa) has presented an excellent proposal. You should accept this proposal and I request that you allow me to go to Muḥammad(sa) in order to further discuss this proposal.” The Quraish said, “Certainly. Go and discuss this proposal.”2