THE OATHS OF AQABAH
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The Prophet (may Allah bless him and
grant him peace) continued to suffer for one more year the tyranny let loose by
the Quraysh. In the year 621 AD, a caravan of Medinites reached Makkah during pilgrim
days. This time the number of Muslims was twelve, ten of them belonging to one Medinites
tribe and two to another. These twelve people on reaching Makkah held a meeting with the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) in a valley
named "Aqabah". They discussed matters regarding propagation of Islam. Aqabah is
located between Makkah and "Mina". In ancient times this valley was considered a
passage for the devil and evil spirits. It is said when IbrahimR.A
intended to sacrifice his son in the way of Allah. Satan met him at this spot and tried to
dissuade him from his intentions. IbrahimR.A hurled
stones at him to put him to flight and today the people do "Rammi" (throwing
stones at the Satan) during Hajj to condemn Satan at this spot following Prophet IbrahimR.As tradition. These Medinites Muslims reported to the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that the number of
Muslims in Madinah had increased from the previous year because of the Holy Quranic
teachings. These twelve people and the other Medinites Muslims have been named
"Ansar" or "those who provided succour" in the Islamic history. They
told the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)
that Jews of Madinah had been predicting the arrival of a Prophet. It was their good luck
that they had been granted a Prophet (may Allah bless him
and grant him peace) from amongst themselves. They previously had been told to
be inferior to the Jews and the Christians as those were the people of the Book and they
were not. They were happy to have a prophet who had brought the Holy Quran to them,
whose verses inspired hearts and reformed human thoughts. These Muslims further told the Prophet
(may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that there had arisen a dispute
amongst certain tribes in Madinah on the choice of a king. A well-known person, named
Abdullah bin Obei of Madinah had been chosen as their king. His investure was so certain
that a jeweller in Madinah had been ordered to make a crown for him. Many tribes of
Madinah were against him. These people wanted a prophet instead of a king to solve their
differences. Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him
peace) belonged to the Quraysh and his father was buried near Madinah. The
people of Madinah had unanimously opted to have him as their leader. They knew the
superiority of a prophet on a king as the former is helped by Allah. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and
grant him peace) inquired, "Are you willing to join in
Bayt-e-Thani with me?" Bayt-e-Thani was an oath of loyalty sworn by a
tribe for a person who had no tribe or an agreement of unity between two or more tribes.
The representatives of the two Medinites tribes took this oath of allegiance to the
Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)
in that valley. The persons under the oath were bound to offer support and devotion to the
Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)
as they would have for their families. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and
grant him peace) promised them the Heavens, if they were to remain loyal to him
and in case they repudiated their matter rested with Allah. On their return, the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) sent a
Makkan, named Ibn-Umair with them to impart Holy Quranic education to the new convert
Muslims of Madinah. Ibn-Umair was an aged person but his style of discourse was very
attractive and he recited the Holy Quran melodiously. He converted many Medinites to
Islam. Islam spread so rapidly in Madinah that by the end of the year 621 AD,
all the people of Madinah, except the Jews, had become Muslims. The Jews who were not
willing to accept Islam, also consented that the Prophet
(may Allah bless him and grant him peace) should be asked to come to Madinah,
so that their disputes may be resolved. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and
grant him peace) concerned about the events in Madinah, prepared himself for
migration from Makkah. Until then he had not, separated himself from his tribe. He knew
that this step would permanently sever ties with his tribe. In the year 622 AD, the Mediate came again to Makkah for pilgrimage and
met the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)
in secret at the same place. This time, the twelve Ansars who had performed
"Bayt-e-Thani" earlier at the hands of the Prophet
(may Allah bless him and grant him peace), along with some new Muslims had
come. There were two women and seventy-three men in this group. When all had gathered in the said valley, the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) recited a few Holy
Quranic verses, and asked the new Muslims to join Bayt at his hand. They did as told. They
all took oath to support the Prophet (may Allah bless him
and grant him peace) with their lives and wealth. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) addressed them and
inquired whether they would support him in war for the cause of Islam. He also asked
whether they were prepared to join him in "Bayt-e-Harb". |
Bayt-e-Harb and Bayt-e-Nisa are two different entities. If compared
with contemporary phrases, Bayt-e-Harb would mean "a war treaty" while
Bayt-e-Nisa "a defence treaty". When two groups entered a treaty such as Bayt-e-Nisa, it would mean
that if one of them attacked the enemy, the second group was not bound to support the
first. However, if any third group attacked one of them, the second group would come to
the aid of the first with its full force. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and
grant him peace) wanted them to understand that if the need arose, the Muslims
should be prepared for battle. Bayt-e-Harb bore great significance as the treaty members
could go for both the offence and defence depending upon the circumstances. The Muslims of Madinah agreed to take oath to such a treaty. They
however, expressed their apprehension that the Prophet (may
Allah bless him and grant him peace) might return to Makkah after victory thus
leaving them mooringless. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and
grant him peace) in return gave his word and said, "O Muslims of Madinah!
Your blood is my blood and mine is yours. I belong to you and you to me. Whosoever intends
to fight with you will witness me his opponent and in your fight for the cause of Allah
you will find me with you". Seventy-three men took Bayt. The Prophet
(may Allah bless him and grant him peace) selected twelve leaders out of the
seventy-five people; nine of them belonged to the same tribe but from different families,
whereas the remaining three belonged to other tribes. According to the Islamic traditions, the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) asked these twelve
persons to inform the people of Madinah as his representatives that all the Muslims are
equal and no one is superior to another. It is Allahs order. 10. 13. The division of humanity into various families or tribes never implies
the exhibition of pride to each other, but for better social living. The words "Ye
may know each other" in the above verse bear vast metaphorical meanings. It is not
for identification alone. It is meant to have better intimation and relation with each
other. Sympathy and help for each other is also encouraged. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and
grant him peace) made it very clear to his representatives that they were the
torch-bearers of a great and grand movement therefore they would have to put their best
foot forward. Till that day, Muhammad (may Allah bless him
and grant him peace) was a Prophet (may Allah
bless him and grant him peace) but afterwards, besides his Prophethood, he had
to accept the leadership of an Ummat or the Islamic Society. He has been advised in the
Holy Quran to look to the example of the Prophet Moses, who himself was a virtuous
chief. In the valley where the Prophet (may
Allah bless him and grant him peace) took oath from the Muslims for two
consecutive years, stands a mosque which has recently been erected. |