Life and Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
2. The Life of the Prophet Muhammad
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It happened that a trader from Yemen sold some of his goods
to Aaas bin Wail, but he was not paid in full. He composed
couplets narrating his misfortune and pleading for justice. This
touched the pride of the Makkans, who gathered at the house of
Abdullah bin Jud‘an at the instance of Zubayr ibn Abd al Muttalib.
After consultations, it was decreed that the Alliance of Fudul
should be renewed. Everyone agreed to support the cause of the
oppressed, whether or not they belonged to Makkah. They also
resolved to force the oppressor to give the oppressed their rightful
dues.
Twenty years before prophethood, Muhammad, may peace be
upon him, participated in the Alliance. Twenty years after the
prophethood he said, “I was present at the house of Abdullah bin
Jud‘an at the time of the Alliance. I will not go back on it, even if I
were to be given hundred red camels. Even after Islam has been
established, I shall still be in favour of such treaty.’
During that period, there were other social treaties as well.
Banu Abd al-Dar and his colleagues once gathered in the precincts
of Kabah and vowed that they would not leave each other in time
of need and they would not hand over anyone to other groups.
Muhammad, may peace be upon him, did not rescind these
treaties. However, he supported them. He even said that such
treaties of mutual understanding and reconciliation have been
further strengthened after the advent of Islam.
