TOWARDS GLOBAL PEACE
We often talk of peace in the context of war. But this is a very narrow and restricted notion of peace. Peace is deeply linked with the entirety of human life. Peace is a complete ideology in itself. Peace is the only religion for both—man and the universe. It is the master-key that opens the doors to every success. Peace creates a favourable atmosphere for success in every endeavour. Without peace, no positive action—small or big—is possible.
HUDAIBIYAH CULTURE
THE Treaty of Hudaibiyah was not a mere agreement in the ordinary sense of the term. Through this treaty a great wisdom was disclosed to man―the wisdom of the method for success in social life.
At the time of the Prophet, in the year AD 624 the Battle of Badr took place. In this battle, the believers scored a comprehensive victory. But just a year later, in the Battle of Uhud, their opponents were the victorious, killing 70 believers. Their opponents were driven by the psyche of revenge. The Battle of Badr was victory for the Muslims and revenge for their opponents.
From this incident one learns that war is not the solution to any problem. War can become a solution for conflict only if the opponent accepts the defeat. But, almost always, the defeated refuse to accept defeat and are instead, fired with the desire for revenge. Thus, war can never lead to a solution to any problem.
Hence, in line with God’s guidance, the Prophet of Islam adopted a new method to solve the problem. This method could be called the ‘Wisdom of Hudaibiyah’. The Treaty of Hudaibiyah was a no-war pact that came into effect after the Prophet unilaterally accepted the conditions insisted upon by the opponents.
After signing the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, the Prophet of Islam started on the journey back towards Madinah. The Chapter Al-Fath (Victory) was revealed to him during the journey. Many Companions of the Prophet were not happy with the terms of the treaty. When the Prophet recited the Chapter Al-Fath to the Companions, some of them expressed their misgivings. Umar Farooq exclaimed in surprise, ‘O Prophet of God, is this a victory?’ The Prophet responded saying, ‘Yes, I swear by the Lord who has power over my soul, this is a certain victory.’ Another Companion said, ‘This cannot be a victory’, to which the Prophet replied, ‘It is a victory, a victory greater than all other victories.’ (Tafseer Qurtubi) Why does the Quran refer to the Treaty of Hudaibiyah as a ‘clear victory’? Why did the Prophet call it a ‘great victory’ when there was no event to indicate a ‘victory’ at the time of the revelation of this verse? The truth is that, the description did not refer to a political victory, it was referring to the supremacy gained by the believers over their opponents as a result of the treaty. The believers were now in an advantageous position over their opponents.
At the time of the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, the rival camp had only the power of the sword.
This treaty compelled them to renounce their swords against the believers. Consequently, they were rendered powerless. But the believers had another power that their opponents did not possess―the ideology of tawheed. This ideological strength was fully available. The Treaty of Hudaibiyah, had practically rendered the opponents powerless. In contrast, as peace had been established, the believers got the opportunity to use all their strength and engage in the propagation of their ideology.
The benefit of the Hudaibiyah policy was not restricted to the success of Islam through a brief and bloodless revolution in Arabia. This revolution that happened in Arabia by virtue of the Hudaibiyah policy, set off for the first time ever, a new process in human history.
And this is exactly what happened. On the one hand, the opponents were obliged not to use their swords against the believers. And on the other, in the climate of peace that now prevailed, the believers were active in communicating and spreading the ideology of tawheed. They conveyed the message of tawheed to people across Arabia, and even to the people and nations beyond. A result of this wisdom of Hudaibiyah was that in just two years, almost the whole of Arabia entered the fold of Islam.
The benefit of the Hudaibiyah policy was not restricted to the success of Islam through a brief and bloodless revolution in seventh century Arabia. Another great benefit was that this revolution that happened in Arabia by virtue of the Hudaibiyah policy, set off for the first time ever, a new process in human history. Passing through several stages, this process reached the present age. In this sense, the present age can be called the culmination of the ‘Hudaibiyah process’.
What exactly was the ‘Wisdom of Hudaibiyah’? Briefly, it was, putting an end to military confrontation to establish a climate of peace, and then through peaceful efforts conveying the natural message of Islam to the people. Following the changes that have taken place in human relations, the same ‘Hudaibiyah Culture’ now prevails throughout the world with the unanimous consent of all nations. The present age can thus be called the Age of Hudaibiyah. In the past, ‘Hudaibiyah Culture’ was limited and localized, but now, the ‘Hudaibiyah Culture’ has been established at the global level, without having to make any sacrifices for it.
Establishment of the United Nations
The United Nations (UN) was set up in 1945. The main purpose of this
organization was the establishment of world peace. All the countries of
the world have become its members. The UN is headquartered in New
York. With the unanimous consent of member-countries, an agreement
was adopted, which is called the Charter of the United Nations. Under
this Charter and with the agreement of all members, a resolution was
passed, and included as Article 2, Clause 4 in the Charter, which says:
All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat
or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence
of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of
the United Nations.
This clause of the UN Charter is, in essence, the same as that agreed upon at the time of the Treaty of Hudaibiyah. In the seventh century CE, at the time of this treaty, the conditions of the opponents had to be unilaterally accepted by the Muslims, but in the 20th century, all the countries of the world on their own accord, have annulled these conditions. In accordance with the UN Charter and the changed global situation, believers can now enjoy global peace. Besides, today, the doors are open to every possible opportunity required for the global mission of calling people to God. For example, religious freedom, a climate of openness, global communications, international travel, advanced printing technology, the internet, etc.
Chapter Al-Fath (Victory) that was revealed after the Treaty of Hudaibiyah describes in allegorical language a grand historical reality―the Treaty of Hudaibiyah that took place in 628, was not a limited localized event, it was the beginning of a grand process in history that would culminate in a global revolution. This revolution passing through many phases reached its zenith in the 20th century.
This global revolution is what has been referred to as the Age of Hudaibiyah. To summarize, the Treaty of Hudaibiyah is the establishment of peace by unilaterally accepting the conditions of the opponents and then to use the available opportunities to call people to God. The opportunities that had emerged in the past through the sacrifices of the Prophet and his Companions have now become available on a much larger scale as a result of the demands of the times.
These opportunities and favourable circumstances that are now available are the result of many factors such as Western civilization, democracy, the establishment of UN, etc. These were all ostensibly secular revolutions, but God made them a means for the support of the religion (deen).
The Treaty of Hudaibiyah is the establishment of peace by unilaterally accepting the conditions of the opponents and then to use the available opportunities to call people to God.
Summary
The beneficial results that emerged from the
Treaty of Hudaibiyah in the seventh century
CE, is described in the Quran (48: 1) as ‘a clear
victory’. This treaty was not any mysterious
event; it was an acknowledged and wise policy. In the seventh century,
this policy could be used only to a limited extent. Besides, the Prophet
and his Companions had to endure and unilaterally accept the
conditions of their opponents, so much so that the phrase ‘Rasul Allah’
(Messenger of God) had to be removed from the text of the treaty. But
later, when condition changed with the help of God, the Hudaibiyah
Revolution has become a global revolution.
Through the Hudaibiyah Treaty the conditions that were agreed upon for a period of only 10 years, now have acquired the status of an everlasting and universal conditions.
The opportunities available to the believers after the Treaty of Hudaibiyah are now available on a much larger scale. These opportunities now only need to be discovered and utilized wisely.