The Prophet Muhammad A simple Guide to his Life
The Power of Peace
~ 255 ~
According to Imam Malik, this
ummah
will be
reformed in its last phase just as was done in its first
phase. That is to say, that just as the issues of the
first phase of Muslims were settled by the non-
violent method, so will the issues of latter day
Muslims be settled likewise. If a violent course of
action did not yield any benefit in the past, neither
will it do so in future. The circumstances of present
day Muslims resemble those that prevailed at the
time of Hudaybiya. Today once again the
unbelievers are guilty of bigotry (48:26).
The solution to this problem in the first phase lay in
the Muslims’ refusal to display bigotry by not
falling prey to the psychology of reaction but rather
adhering strictly to the path of
taqwa
(righteousness)
since that would entitle them to divine succour and
a clear victory (48:26).
The Quraysh, who enjoyed the position of
leadership in Arabia, were bent on waging war at
the time of the Hudaybiya treaty. The Kabah was in
their possession. They had expelled the Prophet and
his companions from their own homeland. They
had taken possession of Muslims’ homes and
