Muhammad a Prophet For all Humanity
12. Emigration—From Makkah to Madinah
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returned to the Quraysh under the terms of the
treaty. Before long, however, they escaped and took
refuge in Dhu’l-Marwah. So many Muslim converts
assembled in that place that it became a new,
flourishing centre of Islam. From there they used to
play havoc with the Quraysh’s trading caravans.
Finally the Quraysh were forced to abandon their
insistence that anyone deserting the Quraysh for the
Muslim camp would have to be returned to the
Quraysh.
The great lesson of Hudaybiyyah is that one should
avoid impatience and should not judge matters by
appearances alone. The outwardly unfavourable
Treaty of Hudaybiyyah held great opportunities for
the Muslims, which only people of insight could
perceive. Ibn ‘Asakir has recorded some comments
of Abu Bakr on the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. “It was
the greatest Islamic victory,” he said, “though on
that day people were too shortsighted to realize the
secrets between Muhammad and his Lord. People
are impatient but God is not. He lets matters take
their course, until they reach the stage that he
intends.” It is realism, which brings success in this
world; but people want instant success, and are
