An Inspiring Scene of an Assembly of the Holy Prophet(sa)

‘Urwah presented himself before the Holy Prophet(sa) and began to have a discussion with him. The Holy Prophet(sa) reiterated the same address which he had previously given to Budail bin Warqā. In principle, ‘Urwah was at accord with the viewpoint of the Holy Prophet(sa), but in order to fulfill his duty as an ambassador of the Quraish and in order to secure as many rights as possible in favour of the Quraish, he began to say, “O Muḥammad[sa], in this war, if you annihilate your people, then have you ever heard the name of any man among the Arabs who has committed such cruelty before you? If however, the matter goes the other way, i.e., the Quraish become dominant, then by God, I see such faces around you, who shall not take long to flee. For all of them shall leave you.” Upon hearing this, Ḥaḍrat Abū Bakr(ra), who was sitting next to the Holy Prophet(sa) became furious and said, “Let you be cursed! Do you say that we shall abandon the Messenger of God?”1 ‘Urwah asked in an outrage, “Who is this person who interrupts me?” The people said, “This is Abū Bakr(ra).” Upon hearing the name of Abū Bakr(ra), ‘Urwah lowered his gaze in shame and said, “By god, were it not for the favour you did upon me,2 upon this statement, I surely would have told you, how best to retort.” Upon saying this, ‘Urwah began to address the Holy Prophet(sa) once again and continuing his address he attempted to draw the Holy Prophet(sa) to his point of view. At times, as per the custom of the Arabs, he would touch the blessed beard of the Holy Prophet(sa) as well, but whenever he did so, a sincere companion named Mughīrah bin Shu‘bah(ra) who was standing by the Holy Prophet(sa) at the time (and was the paternal nephew of ‘Urwah) would thrust off the hand of ‘Urwah with the sheath of his sword and say, “Keep your filthy hands off the blessed face of the Chosen Prophet(sa).” At the time, since the face of Mughīrah(ra) was hidden by a head piece, Urwah, unable to recognise him inquired, “Who is this person?” The people said, “This is Mughīrah bin Shu‘bah.” Urwah furiously and contemptuously said, “O disloyal one, have you forgotten my favour upon you?”3 Upon this, Mughīrah(ra) felt ashamed. At that time, ‘Urwah looked around in pride but it was this very gaze that inspired him, because at the time, ‘Urwah found the party of the companions gathered around the Holy Prophet(sa) in the likeness of a candle surrounded by moths. ‘Urwah himself narrates that at the time, the state of the intense love of the Muslims was such as while drinking, even if a droplet of water would fall from the mouth of the Holy Prophet(sa), the companions would eagerly take it in their hands and with the thought of acquiring blessings, would rub it upon their faces and their bodies. Whenever the Holy Prophet(sa) would issue an instruction, people would pounce forward in such a manner as if competing with one another. When the Holy Prophet(sa) would perform his Wuḍū’, the companions in their eagerness to serve the Holy Prophet(sa) by providing him water, would move forward as if they were about to burst into a confrontation amongst themselves. When the Holy Prophet(sa) would speak, his companions would listen silently with complete and utter attention. Moreover, on account of their love and due to the awe of the Holy Prophet(sa), the companions could not raise their gazes in front of the Holy Prophet(sa).4

Upon witnessing these inspiring events and thus concluding his discussions with the Holy Prophet(sa), ‘Urwah returned to the Quraish. As soon as he reached them he said to the Quraish, “O Ye people! I have travelled far and wide, I have been to the royal courts of many a king and have been presented before Caesar and Chosroe and the Negus as a representative, but by God, the manner in which I have seen the companions of Muḥammad(sa) honour him, I have seen nowhere else.” Then he related the entire experience which he had witnessed in the assembly of the Holy Prophet(sa) and at the end he said, “Once again, I suggest that the proposal of Muḥammad(sa) is a just one. We should accept it.”5

Upon hearing this talk of ‘Urwah, a chieftain of the Banī Kinānah named Ḥulais bin ‘Alqamah,6 said to the Quraish, “If you please, I shall go to Muḥammad(sa).” They said, “Certainly, go.” So, this man came to Ḥudaibiyyah and when the Holy Prophet(sa) noticed him coming from afar, he said to the companions, “This man who comes towards us, belongs to such a tribe as are pleased with scenes of sacrifice. Quickly gather and bring forth your sacrificial animals, so that he may see why we have come.” Therefore, the companions brought their animals of sacrifice and loudly chanting Takbīr, gathered them before him. When he saw this sight, he began to say, “Glory be to Allāh! Glory be to Allāh! These people are pilgrims! They cannot be barred from performing Ṭawāf of the Baitullāh!” As such, he quickly returned to the Quraish and began to say, “I have seen that the Muslims have placed garlands of sacrifice around the necks of their animals, and they have been marked for sacrifice. It is not at all appropriate to stop them from performing Ṭawāf of the Ka‘bah.” 7

At that time, a severe state of dissent was erupting amongst the Quraish and there became two parties of the Quraish. One party was adamant in sending back the Muslims and was firmly bent upon fighting. The second party however, considering this against their ancient religious customs and was afraid to oppose them and were desirous of an honourable agreement. For this reason, the decision was left pending. Upon this instance, another Arab chieftain named Mikraz bin Ḥafṣ, said to the Quraish, “Let me go, I shall conclude an agreement.” Consequently, the Quraish said, “Alright, why don’t you also attempt and see.” Hence, he went to the Holy Prophet(sa). When the Holy Prophet(sa) saw him from afar, he said, “May God show His grace, for he is indeed a vicious man.” In any case, Mikraz came to the Holy Prophet(sa) and began to talk. However, he was still speaking when a renowned chieftain of the Quraish named Suhail bin ‘Amr, came before the Holy Prophet(sa). Perhaps in their anxiety, the Quraish had sent him without waiting for the return of Mikraz. Upon noticing the arrival of Suhail, the Holy Prophet(sa) said, “Here comes Suhail.8 If God wills, now the matter shall become easy for us.” 9