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What were the main terms of the Treaty of al-Hudaybiyyah in 628?
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Muhammad
The Prophet's Mosque, showing the green dome built above the tomb of Muhammad, Medina, Saudi Arabia.
The Treaty of al-Hudaybiyyah, concluded in 628 between Muhammad and the leaders of Mecca, served as a significant compromise that granted the Muslim community in Medina political and religious recognition.1
The main terms of the agreement included:
- Truce: A 10-year period of peace was established between the two parties.1
- Pilgrimage: Muhammad agreed to abandon his ‘umrah (pilgrimage) that year, with the condition that he and his followers would be permitted to enter Mecca the following year. During that visit, the city would be emptied for three days to allow the Muslims to perform their rites.1
- Extradition Provision: It was stipulated that any Meccan who fled to Medina without the permission of their guardian must be returned; however, a reciprocal provision for Muslims fleeing to Mecca was not included.1
- Alliances: Tribes were granted the freedom to align themselves with either the Meccans or the Muslims as they wished.1
This treaty effectively acknowledged the equality of the Muslims as bargaining partners and set the stage for future interactions between the two groups.1