Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
5. Lessons of the Prophet’s Life
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In order to survey the situation the Prophet made a
halt at Hudaybiyyah, which is, situated nine miles
from Makkah. From Hudaybiyyah he sent one
Kharash ibn Umayyah on camelback 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
Hudaybiyyah. The Prophet then sent ‘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.
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The Makkans paid no heed, and took him prisoner.
Later Mikraz ibn Hafs along with fifty men attacked
the Muslims camp at night, raining stones and
arrows down on the pilgrims. 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
attacked them from Tan’im. They were also taken
captive and then allowed to go free unconditionally.
Lengthy negotiations with the Quraysh ensued.
Finally, a truce was made between the two sides. At
