Practical Theology

Practical Theology

The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, or the “Manifest Victory” (Fatḥ Mubīn): The Prophet’s Peace Treaty with the Disbelievers and Polytheists of Quraysh—A Practical Model for Promoting Peace and Avoiding War and Violence

Document Type : Research Paper

Author
Assistant Professor at International University of Islamic denominations
Abstract
The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, concluded during the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the sixth year of the Hijra, was a highly significant event in the early history of Islam. The events that followed it contributed to the further development and expansion of Islam. In the Holy Qur’an, God refers to this event as a “Manifest Victory” (Fatḥ Mubīn), a term that is not used in reference to any other major event during the Prophet’s mission, such as his prophetic call, the boycott in the Valley of Abu Talib, the migration to Abyssinia, the Night Journey and Ascension (Isrāʾ and Miʿrāj), the migration to Medina, or the various military expeditions, including the Battles of Badr and the Confederates (al-Aḥzāb), or even the Conquest of Mecca. Given the significance of this event in the Qur’anic verses and the Prophet’s biography (Sīrah), this article examines the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah through a descriptive-analytical approach, drawing on historical, hadith, and Qur’anic exegetical sources. Following a vision (Roʾyā) he had seen, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) set out for Mecca with his companions to perform the minor pilgrimage (ʿUmrah). However, the Quraysh leaders and polytheists prevented them from entering Mecca and performing the pilgrimage rites. Subsequently, a peace agreement, known as the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, was concluded between the two parties. The verses of Surah al-Fatḥ were revealed during the Prophet’s return journey to Medina. The findings of this study indicate that, considering the entire course of events leading to the treaty, the verses of Surah al-Fatḥ, and the Prophet’s character and approach, peace and the rejection of war and violence are intrinsic principles of Islam. This, the study argues, explains why the Holy Qur’an uses the expression “Manifest Victory” (Fatḥ Mubīn) specifically in reference to the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah among the major events of the Prophet’s lifetime.
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