When the Prophet (ﷺ) intended to perform `Umra in the month of Dhul-Qada, the people of Mecca did not let him enter Mecca till he settled the matter with them by promising to stay in it for three days only. When the document of treaty was written, the following was mentioned: 'These are the terms on which Muhammad, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) agreed (to make peace).' They said, "We will not agree to this, for if we believed that you are Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) we would not prevent you, but you are Muhammad bin `Abdullah." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I am Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and also Muhammad bin `Abdullah." Then he said to `Ali, "Rub off (the words) 'Allah's Messenger (ﷺ)' ", but `Ali said, "No, by Allah, I will never rub off your name." So, Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) took the document and wrote, 'This is what Muhammad bin `Abdullah has agreed upon: No arms will be brought into Mecca except in their cases, and nobody from the people of Mecca will be allowed to go with him (i.e. the Prophet (ﷺ) ) even if he wished to follow him and he (the Prophet (ﷺ) ) will not prevent any of his companions from staying in Mecca if the latter wants to stay.' When the Prophet (ﷺ) entered Mecca and the time limit passed, the Meccans went to `Ali and said, "Tell your Friend (i.e. the Prophet (ﷺ) ) to go out, as the period (agreed to) has passed." So, the Prophet (ﷺ) went out of Mecca. The daughter of Hamza ran after them (i.e. the Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions), calling, "O Uncle! O Uncle!" `Ali received her and led her by the hand and said to Fatima, "Take your uncle's daughter." Zaid and Ja`far quarreled about her. `Ali said, "I have more right to her as she is my uncle's daughter." Ja`far said, "She is my uncle's daughter, and her aunt is my wife." Zaid said, "She is my brother's daughter." The Prophet (ﷺ) judged that she should be given to her aunt, and said that the aunt was like the mother. He then said to 'All, "You are from me and I am from you", and said to Ja`far, "You resemble me both in character and appearance", and said to Zaid, "You are our brother (in faith) and our freed slave."
The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah: Context and Wisdom
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 2699 recounts the pivotal Hudaybiyyah treaty negotiations. The Quraysh's refusal to acknowledge the Prophet's ﷺ messengership in the document demonstrates their stubborn disbelief, while the Prophet's ﷺ acquiescence to remove "Allah's Messenger" reveals profound wisdom in peacemaking - prioritizing practical outcomes over ceremonial titles when dealing with hostile parties.
Exemplary Humility and Pragmatism
The Prophet's ﷺ willingness to compromise on the wording while maintaining his actual identity teaches Muslims that effective peacemaking sometimes requires flexibility in form while preserving substance. His statement "I am Allah's Messenger ﷺ and also Muhammad bin Abdullah" affirms that spiritual status and worldly negotiations can coexist without contradiction.
Ali's initial refusal to erase the honorable title demonstrates love for the Prophet ﷺ, yet the Prophet's ﷺ subsequent action shows that leaders must sometimes personally undertake difficult tasks for the greater good.
Fulfilling Covenants and Family Jurisprudence
The Prophet's ﷺ strict adherence to the three-day agreement, despite Meccan hostility, exemplifies the Islamic principle that treaties must be honored regardless of the other party's faith. His departure when the time expired establishes that Muslims must be the most trustworthy in fulfilling covenants.
The judgment regarding Hamza's daughter illustrates Islamic inheritance principles where maternal relations hold special status, with the aunt being "like the mother." The Prophet's ﷺ distinctive praise for each claimant - affirming Ali's spiritual connection, Ja'far's physical and moral resemblance, and Zaid's brotherhood in faith - demonstrates how to honor multiple relationships while delivering a just ruling.