Deliberations of the Treaty

The discussions which took place between Suhail bin ‘Amr and the Holy Prophet(sa) and the manner in which this historical treaty was formulated, is indeed an intriguing chapter in the history of Islām, which has been recorded in writing with great pleasure and detail by all the Muḥaddithīn and historians. We now present before our readers, the general details of this account as per the narration of Ṣaḥīḥ Bukhārī. Imām Bukhārī, who possesses a most superior stature amongst the Muḥaddithīn, mentions this interesting account in the following manner:

When Suhail bin ‘Amr came before the Holy Prophet(sa), upon seeing him the Holy Prophet(sa) immediately said, “Suhail is coming. Now the matter shall be made easy.”1 In any case, Suhail came and upon arriving he said, “Come, forget this lengthy dispute, we are prepared to make an agreement.” The Holy Prophet(sa) said, “So are we.” Upon this, the Holy Prophet(sa) summoned his secretary, Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī(ra), and since a general discussion had already taken place as to the conditions of this treaty, and the details were to be agreed upon along the way, as soon as the scribe arrived, the Holy Prophet(sa) said, “Write - 2” Suhail was ready to make a treaty, but also wished to remain vigilant in protecting the rights of the Quraish and their honour. He immediately said, “What is this word Raḥmān,3 we do not know this. Write as the Arabs have always written, 4 On the other hand, it was a question of national pride and religious indignation for the Muslims, who immediately alerted, began to say, “We shall indeed write , but the Holy Prophet(sa) silenced the Muslims saying, “No matter, there is no problem in this, write as Suhail says.” So, the words were written. Then the Holy Prophet(sa) said, “Write - This is the treaty that Muḥammad, the Messenger of Allāh has concluded.” Suhail interjected once again saying, “We shall not allow you to write the words, ‘Messenger of Allāh.’ For if we are to accept that you are the Messenger of Allāh, then this entire dispute would be put to rest and we would have no right to hinder you and fight you. So as is our custom, only write the words, ‘Muḥammad bin ‘Abdullāh has settled this treaty.’” The Holy Prophet(sa) said, “Whether you accept it or not, I am the Messenger of Allāh. However, since I am also Muḥammad bin ‘Abdullāh, alright then, as you wish. Write - Muḥammad bin ‘Abdullāh has concluded this treaty.”5 However, during this time, Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī(ra), the scribe of the Holy Prophet(sa) had already written the words, ‘Muḥammad, the Messenger of Allāh.’ The Holy Prophet(sa) asked Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī(ra) to erase the words ‘Muḥammad the Messenger of Allāh’ and write, ‘Muḥammad bin ‘Abdullāh’ in their stead. However, this was a cause of immense emotion and in his indignation Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī(ra) said, “O Messenger of Allāh, I shall never erase the words ‘The Messenger of Allāh’ from your name.” Upon seeing the uncontrollable state of Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī(ra), the Holy Prophet(sa) said, “Alright, If you shall not erase it, give it here, I shall erase it myself.” Then the Holy Prophet(sa) took the parchment (or whatever it was) of the treaty in his own hands and inquiring as to the whereabouts of the words ‘Messenger of Allāh’, erased them with his own hands and wrote the words “Ibn ‘Abdullāh” instead.6 Please refer to the note given below.7

After this, the Holy Prophet(sa) had written, “The agreement is that the people of Makkah shall not stop us from circumambulating the Baitullāh.” Suhail immediately said, “By God, this shall not be possible this year, or we shall be disgraced before the Arabs. Nonetheless, you may come next year to circumambulate the Ka‘bah.” The Holy Prophet(sa) said, “Alright, write this.” Then, Suhail also had a condition written from himself that, “None from among the people of Makkah shall be permitted to join the Muslims even if he be a Muslim, and if such a person comes to the Muslims, he shall be returned.” Upon this, the companions protested, “Glory be to Allāh! How is it possible that a man comes to us embracing Islām and we send him back!” While they were in this state of altercation, Abū Jandal, the son of Suhail bin ‘Amr, who was the ambassador of the Quraish, found way to this assembly suddenly, stumbling in fetters and handcuffs. This young man had been imprisoned by the people of Makkah on his becoming a Muslim and had subjected him to severe torment. When he came to know that the Holy Prophet(sa) had come so close to Makkah, somehow, he escaped the imprisonment of the Quraish and still tied in his fetters, he managed to stagger to Ḥudaibiyyah. Incidentally, he reached there at a time when his father was stipulating the condition, “Every man who comes to the Muslims from the people of Makkah, even if he be a Muslim, shall be returned.” Abū Jandal threw himself before the Muslims and very painfully cried, “O Ye Muslims! I am being subjected to this torment, merely on account of my having accepted Islām! Save me for the sake of God!” Upon the sight of this, the Muslims began to toss in agony, but Suhail also remained obstinate and said to the Holy Prophet(sa), “As per this treaty, this is the first demand I make to you, that you return Abū Jandal to me.” The Holy Prophet(sa) said, “The treaty has yet to be finalised.” Suhail said, “If you do not return him to me, consider this treaty dissolved.” The Holy Prophet(sa) said, “Let it go and grant Abū Jandal to us as an act of favor and kindness.” Suhail said, “No, never.” The Holy Prophet(sa) said, “Suhail! Do not be obstinate! Listen to me on this.” Suhail said, “I cannot accept this in any case.” Upon this, Abū Jandal cried out once again, “O Ye Muslims! Shall your Muslim brother be sent back to the idolators after having suffered such severe torment?”8 It is strange to note that at the time, Abū Jandal did not appeal to the Holy Prophet(sa), rather, he appealed to the common Muslims. Perhaps this was because he knew that irrespective of how much pain the Holy Prophet(sa) held in his heart, he would never allow for the treaty to be detrimentally affected. However, he expected that the rest of the Muslims, perhaps in their indignation at the time, would find a way to justify his freedom, as the clauses of the treaty were still being transcribed. Despite this and irrespective of how emotional the Muslims were, it was impossible for them to take a stance against the wish of the Holy Prophet(sa). The Holy Prophet(sa) remained silent for some time, and then painfully said, “O Abū Jandal! Be patient. Look towards God, for it is He who shall indeed arrange for your deliverance and for your weak Muslim brothers. At this time, we are bound by our circumstances, because we have already settled an agreement with the people of Makkah and we cannot act in violation of this treaty.”9

1 As alluded to above, the literary merit of this word was that ‘Suhail’ and ‘Sahl’ are from the same Arabic root. It was the custom of the Holy Prophet(sa) to at times, take a good omen from certain names.

2 In the name of Allāh, the Gracious, the Merciful (Publishers)

3 i.e., the Arabic word for ‘Gracious’ (Publishers)

4 With thy name, O Allāh (Publishers)

5 Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābush-Shurūṭ, Bābush-Shurūṭi Fil-Jihādi..., Ḥadīth No. 2731-2732

7 Illiteracy of the Holy Prophet(sa): In the text of this narration, where it has been mentioned that the Holy Prophet(sa) cut the words ‘Muhammad, the Messenger of Allāh’, and wrote ‘Muhammad bin ‘Abdullāh’ with his own hand, the thought may cross some people that if the Holy Prophet(sa) was illiterate, that is, if he was unable to read and write, as the Holy Qur’an itself uses the word ‘Ummi’ for the Holy Prophet(sa), how is it then possible that the Holy Prophet(sa) cut the words ‘Muhammad, the Messenger of Allāh’ and wrote other words in its place. This shows that the Holy Prophet(sa) was either not illiterate or the above mentioned narration is false. Hence, with relevance to this allegation, a brief discussion has passed in Volume I of this book. That should be sufficient for our readers. The summary of this discussion is that undoubtedly, the Holy Prophet(sa) was illiterate and as proven by the consistent account of the Qur’an, Ḥadīth and history, the Holy Prophet(sa) was never schooled in reading and writing. However, on the other hand, it is also correct that despite being illiterate or unable to read and write, the Holy Prophet(sa) became somewhat familiar with certain characters. This is because letters, etc. were often received by the Holy Prophet(sa) in the prophetic era. Moreover, it is not a far-fetched idea that despite being unable to read or write, an intelligent individual can familiarise himself with certain letters on account of letters constantly being presented before him. It is obvious however, that despite this character recognition, no one can challenge the illiteracy of such a man. In any case, he shall still be considered one who is unable to read and write. Moreover, as mentioned in Volume I of this book, in Bukhārī, etc., where it is mentioned that on this occasion, the Holy Prophet(sa) wrote the words Muhammad bin ‘Abdullāh, this could also mean, ‘to get written.’ Sometimes, in general conversation, the word, ‘to write’ is also used in the sense, ‘to get written.’ In such a case, the meaning would be that the words, ‘Messenger of Allāh’ were deleted by the Holy Prophet(sa) himself (and after receiving indication, even a man who is unable to read and write can erase a few written words). After that, however, the words “Ibn ‘Abdullāh” were written by the scribe. It is obvious that the actual indignation of Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī(ra) was in erasing the words, ‘Messenger of Allāh’, not in writing, “Ibn ‘Abdullāh” instead. Furthermore, even in the Ḥadīth, it is these very words which have been attributed to him, that, “By God, I shall not erase the words ‘Messenger of Allāh.’” In any case, it is conclusively proven that the Holy Prophet(sa) was illiterate, and it is a magnificent academic and spiritual miracle of Islām that the light of God, made an illiterate man the teacher and tutor of all nations and all eras. Moreover, even in today’s academic era, when seas of knowledge have as if gushed out, at the time of every academic perplexity, the sights of every true searcher of truth, and researcher look towards the Holy Prophet(sa). Furthermore, one does not find true satisfaction anywhere other than in the guidance of the Holy Prophet(sa) [O Allāh, invoke blessings and salutations on the Holy Prophet.]

Moreover, it should also be remembered that in addition to meaning one who cannot read and write, in the Arabic language the word, ‘Ummī’ also means, ‘innocent,’ ‘pure,’ and ‘holy.’ (Tājul-‘Urūs) because, in actuality, the word ‘Ummī’ has been derived from ‘Umm’, (i.e., mother). The intent is to be protected from sins and faults just like a newborn baby is protected and this description applies to the Holy Prophet(sa) as well.

8 Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābush-Shurūṭ, Bābush-Shurūṭi Fil-Jihādi..., Ḥadīth No. 2731-2732

9 As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Mālik bin Hishām, p. 687, Amrul-Ḥudaibiyyati Fī Ākhiri Sanati Sittin/‘Aliyyun Yaktubu Shurūtaṣ-Ṣulḥi, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001)