Allah was certainly pleased with the believers when they pledged loyalty under the tree, knowing what was in their hearts, sending tranquility down on them…(48:18)

…the tree has long gone but the tranquility abounds where Qaswa refused to budge, responding to Divine Will, indicating where Allah Ta’ala’s Beloved Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasllam and his 1,400 or so Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum should camp while tense negotiations were shuffled back and forth between this desolate plain and Makkah, when the Quraysh refused them permission to perform Umrah…

…how many sunrises have risen over this long dried up well since our Blessed Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasllam arrived there in the sixth year AH…Alhumdulillah for the opportunity to reflect upon this and allow the imagination to take flight and conjure the scene with all in Ihram, anticipating performing Umrah, garlanded sacrificial animals gathered around, desert winds mercilessly blowing sand and dust in makeshift tents and the anxiety of waiting for the results of tense negotiations…the ingredients for VICTORY! SubhanAllah!

May Allah Ta’ala’s perpetual peace and blessings be upon them all, to the number of every sunrise and every sunset, every grain of shifting sand on this scene of victory, and for each and every footprint made from Madinah and back, multiplied by the same again, Ameen…

…this very well was almost dry then, provoking many of the companions to ask how they and their camels would survive without water. Some narrations explain that Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam drew an arrow from his quiver instructing one of the cameleers, either Najiyah ibn Jundub or Bara ibn Aazib to place the arrow in the well, whereupon water rose, which sufficed them for the duration of their twenty day stay. Another account, reported in Bukhari that Bara RadhiAllahu anhu said that our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi  wasallam sat on the edge, requested a vessel with water and attar, performed ablution, rinsed his mouth, supplicated and poured water into the well, with the result that there was sufficient for all their needs. While Jabir RadhiAllahu anhu said that Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi  wasallam put his hand in a utensil after which water began to pour from his fingers. Later Saalim asked Jabir how many benefited from this water. He was told fifteen hundred but that there was enough for a hundred thousand men (Ibn Katheer) SubhanAllah!

…the final treaty that both parties agreed upon meant the Muslims had to abandon their Ihram and thus sacrifice the animals they had brought along with them with the intention of Umrah and shave their heads. Understandably the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum, due to their sadness and feeling defeated were reluctant to do so, and did not respond to the initial request of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. It was the wise and comforting suggestion by our Lady Umm Salamah RadhiAllahu anha, that Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam go ahead with sacrificing his animal and shaving his head, when the Shahabah RadhiAllahu anhum began to follow his example.

…two different markers designating the boundary of the sacred precincts…looking towards the direction of Makkah, where hundreds of eyes must have squinted during the events of Hudaybiyyah, especially when the rumour was spreading that Uthman RadhiAllahu anhu had been killed…

…King Abdul Aziz erected this watering system adjacent to the border…

…the inscribed plaque is still intact…but this well is also now dry…

The Treaty:

1. “In Your Name, O Allah”

2. This is what Muhammad ibn Abdullah has agreed upon with Suhail ibn ‘Amr.

3. Both have agreed to put a hold on the war between the people (of Makkah and Madinah) for a period of ten years, during which time people will live safely and will refrain from harming one another.

4. Whosoever of the companions of Muhammad comes to Makkah to perform Hajj or Umrah, or with the hope of gaining from the Blessings of Allah (i.e, goes to Makkah to engage in trade), then he is safe, both in his blood and in his wealth. And whosoever from the Quraysh goes to Madinah, passing through it in order to go to Egypt or Ash-Sham, and hoping to gain from the blessing of Allah, then he is safe both in his blood and in his wealth.

5. if anyone from Quraysh goes to Muhammad without the permission of his guardian, then Muhammad has to send him back. And if anyone that is with Muhammad goes to Quraysh, they do not have to send him back.

6. We will abide by the terms of the treaty; none of us will steal from one another or act treacherously with one another.

7. Any third party that wants to enter into an agreement or alliance with Muhammad has the right to do so. And any third party that wants to enter into an agreement or alliance with the Quraysh has the right to do so.

8. You (O Muhammad) have to return this year without entering Makkah; next year, however, we will leave (Makkah) for you, you may enter it with your Companions and remain in it for three days. You can carry with you the weapons that a rider carries (and no more): swords in scabbards. And you will not enter with any other weapons.

…on their return journey to Madinah Surah Al-Fath was revealed to our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. He was so happy that he said: “Last night a Chapter that is more beloved to me than all the sun shines upon was revealed to me.” He recited:

Verily We have granted you a clear victory. (48:1)

which sent waves of joy and understanding from among many who had thought they had been cheated and defeated…

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam.  May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.