Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) set out for the `Umra but the pagans of Quraish prevented him from reaching the Ka`ba. So, he slaughtered his sacrifice and got his head shaved at Al-Hudaibiya, and agreed with them that he would perform `Umra the following year and would not carry weapons except swords and would not stay in Mecca except for the period they allowed. So, the Prophet (ﷺ) performed the `Umra in the following year and entered Mecca according to the treaty, and when he stayed for three days, the pagans ordered him to depart, and he departed.
The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah: Context and Wisdom
This narration from Sahih al-Bukhari 2701 describes the pivotal Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, where the Prophet (ﷺ) demonstrated profound political wisdom by accepting terms that appeared outwardly disadvantageous to the Muslims. The apparent concessions—delaying the Umrah, limiting weapons, and restricting stay duration—were in reality a strategic victory that established the Islamic state's legitimacy and led to mass conversions.
Scholarly Commentary on the Sacrifice and Shaving
The slaughtering of sacrifices and head shaving at Hudaybiyyah, despite not completing the Umrah, demonstrates the principle that sincere intention coupled with lawful effort fulfills religious obligations even when external obstacles prevent completion. Classical scholars note this established the precedent that when prevented from completing Hajj or Umrah, pilgrims may exit ihram through these rites.
Imam al-Qurtubi comments that the Prophet's compliance with seemingly unfavorable terms teaches Muslims the permissibility of temporary peace agreements with opponents when they serve greater strategic interests and prevent bloodshed, provided Islamic principles remain uncompromised.
Legal and Spiritual Implications
This event established important Islamic legal principles regarding treaties, the honoring of agreements even with non-Muslim parties, and the prioritization of peacemaking (sulh) when it serves the greater good. The subsequent fulfillment of the treaty the following year demonstrates the absolute binding nature of Muslim commitments.
Scholars like Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani emphasize that the Hudaybiyyah treaty became the foundation for many Islamic laws of international relations, showing that temporary concessions in worldly matters are permissible when they ultimately strengthen the Muslim position and spread the message of Islam.