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during these campaigns. The 800 who participated in the Battle of
the Trench had to suffer extreme cold, hunger and exhaustion. So
much so that when the Prophet asked for someone to volunteer for
a spying foray into the enemy camp, no one stood up. Eventually
the Prophet personally delegated this task to Huzaifa.
In the year 6
a
.
h
. t he Pr ophet, act ing under di vine
inspiration,
set
out
for
Makkah
along
with
1300
companions. He made it absolutely clear that the Muslims
had no intention of fighting anybody, and were going for Umra
(the lesser pilgrimage). The sacrificial camels which the Muslims
took along with them provided further proof of their peaceful
intentions. The camels were even given the sacrificial emblem
(qalada),
so that the people of Makkah could be quite sure that they
were meant for sacrifice. This journey was also aimed at allaying
the fears of the Quraysh that the Muslims intended to destroy the
Kabah’s religious and commercial status.
As expected, the Quraysh advanced to prevent the Muslims
from enteringMakkah. The two parties met at Hudaybiyyah, some
eleven kilometers from Makkah. Anxious to avoid hostilities, the
Prophet set up camp then and there. Then having impressed it
upon his envoys that they had not come to fight anybody, he sent a
message to the Quraysh, suggesting a peace treaty between the two
sides. “We have come as pilgrims. War has weakened the Quraysh
and caused them to suffer great losses. If they wish, I am willing
to make a truce with them: they shall not come in between myself
and the people
4
during that time. If I emerge successful, and they
so wish, they can accept the religion which others have accepted.
If I do not emerge supreme, they will have the right to do as they
please. If the Quraysh refuse this offer, I will fight with them in
support of my cause, even at the risk of losing my life. And what
God wishes will come to pass.”
(Bukhari)
The themeof thismessage shows that theProphetwas appealing
4 Other tribes in and around Makkah at that time.
