The Contents of the Treaty of Hudaibiyah: History, 5 Points of Agreement, and Its Importance for Muslims

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YOGYAKARTA - The Treaty of Hudaibiyah is one of the most important events in the history of Islam which occurred during the time of the Prophet Muhammad SAW. This event not only reflects the strategy of the Prophet's preaching, but also shows how important peace is in spreading the teachings of Islam.

Although it was initially considered to be detrimental to Muslims, the Treaty of Hudaibiyah actually became a major turning point in the Prophet's missionary journey. So what is the content of this agreement that has a major role in paving the way for a wider and peaceful spread of Islam? Reported from various sources, here is the discussion.

Background of the Hudaibiyah Treaty

At the beginning of the month of Dzulqa'dah in the sixth year of Hijriyah, the Prophet Muhammad SAW and his companions intended to perform the umrah to Mecca. This intention was purely for worship, not for war, so the Muslim delegation did not carry weapons.

The Prophet departed from Madinah with about 1,400 companions. This group stopped at Hudaibiyah, about 20 kilometers from Mecca, after being intercepted by the Quraish polytheists. The Quraish were afraid that the arrival of the Prophet and his companions would lead to conflict.

To ensure the purpose of the Muslim group, the Quraish sent messengers, as did the Prophet Muhammad SAW who sent his companions. The process of diplomacy took place several times and was deadlocked until finally the Quraish sent Suhail bin Amr and Mukriz with full mandate. The main condition of the Quraish is that Muslims are not allowed to enter Mecca that year.

After long negotiations, both parties agreed to make a peace agreement known as the Hudaibiyah Treaty or Shulhul Hudaibiyah. This agreement contains several important points that regulate relations between Muslims and Quraish.

The Hudaibiyah Agreement was witnessed by important figures from both sides and was recorded by Sayyidina Ali bin Abi Thalib as a secretary. Although it had objections from some companions, the Prophet Muhammad accepted the agreement.

The contents of the Hudaibiyah Agreement

The contents of the Treaty of Hudaibiyah consist of five main points that form the basis of relations between Muslims and Quraish. The first point is an agreement to a ten-year ceasefire without hostilities and aggressive actions from both sides. This agreement creates stability and security in the Arab region.

The second point states that anyone from the Quraish who goes to Medina without the permission of his family must be returned to Mecca. Conversely, if a Muslim moves to the Quraish side, then he is not obliged to return to Medina.

The third point allows other Arab tribes to choose to join or make an agreement with one of the parties. In this case, the Khuza'ah tribe sided with the Prophet Muhammad SAW, while the Bani Bakar supported the Quraish.

The fourth point states that Muslims are not allowed to enter Mecca in that year, but are allowed to perform umrah the following year for three days.

The fifth point confirms that this agreement was made on the basis of sincerity and without deception. Both parties are committed to complying with all the contents of the agreement with full responsibility. This principle is an important foundation for the creation of long-term peace.

Impact and Significance of the Treaty of Hudaibiyah

Although it initially felt disadvantageous, the Treaty of Hudaibiyah had a major impact on the development of Islam. During the period of the ceasefire, Islamic preaching flourished because the peaceful situation allowed for more open interaction. Many people eventually embraced Islam without pressure and fear.

It is recorded that the number of people who embraced Islam in the 17 months of the Hudaibiyah Treaty was more than the previous 17 years. The number of Muslims jumped so that at the time of the Fathul Makkah, the number of Muslim troops reached 10,000 people. Islam is getting stronger and widely accepted in the Arabian Peninsula.

The contents of the Treaty of Hudaibiyah prove that peace and diplomacy have a major role in Islamic history. Although it initially seemed unfavorable, this agreement actually paved the way for a wider and peaceful spread of Islam.

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