The Treaty of Hudaibiyah (Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib's (ra) Narration)
Whilst mentioning the details of the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib (ra) writes,
“Urwah presented himself before the Holy Prophet (sa) and began to have a discussion with him. The Holy Prophet (sa) reiterated the same address which he had previously given to Budail bin Warqa. In principle, Urwah was at accord with the viewpoint of the Holy Prophet (sa), but in order to fulfil his duty as an ambassador of the Quraish and in order to secure as many rights as possible in favour of the Quraish, he began to say, ‘O Muhammad (sa), in this war, if you annihilate your people, then have you ever heard the name of any man among the Arabs who has committed such cruelty before you? If, however, the matter goes the other way, i.e., the Quraish become dominant, then by God, I see such faces around you, who shall not take long to flee. For all of them shall leave you.’ Upon hearing this, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), who was sitting next to the Holy Prophet (sa) became furious and said, ‘Be gone, and go and kiss your idol, Lat. Do you say that we shall abandon the Messenger of God?’
Lat was a famous idol of the tribe Banu Thaqif, and the intent of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was to express ‘You are such people who worship idols and we are ones to worship God. Is it possible that while you show patience and steadfastness for the sake of idols, we who believe in God should be ones to abandon the Messenger (sa) of God?’
Urwah asked in an outrage, ‘Who is this person who interrupts me?’ The people said, ‘This is Abu Bakr (ra).’ Upon hearing the name of Abu Bakr (ra), Urwah lowered his gaze in shame and said, ‘O Abu Bakr! By god, were it not for the favour you did upon me, (it is mentioned that at one occasion, Urwah was pressed by a heavy debt, and Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) paid off this debt and saved him). Upon this statement, I surely would have told you, how best to retort.’”
(Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra), pp. 756, 757)
It is recorded in a narration from Bukhari that on the occasion of the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, a treaty was being formed between the Holy Prophet (sa) and the Quraish and the conditions had been settled. At that time, Hazrat Abu Jandal (ra), son of Suhail bin Amr came staggering whilst still shackled in chains. Suhail bin Amr, who had come as an ambassador of Mecca, demanded that he be returned, upon which the Holy Prophet (sa) returned him to the Quraish.
(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Shurut, Bab al-Shurut fi al-Jihad, Hadith 2731-27312)
Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib (ra) details this incident, which also includes mention of Hazrat Umar’s (ra) discussion with the Holy Prophet (sa) in which he asked that if he was a true prophet of Allah the Almighty, then why should they have to lower themselves in this manner – i.e. Hazrat ‘Umar (ra) spoke in this way because he felt that Abu Jandal was being treated unjustly. [Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib (ra) writes:]
“The Muslims were witnessing this scene (of the injustice with Abu Jandal) and in religious indignation, their eyes became gorged with rage, but out of respect, they remained silent before the Holy Prophet (sa). Finally, Hazrat ‘Umar (ra) could bear it no more. He came to the Holy Prophet (sa) and inquired in a trembling voice, ‘Are you not the truthful Messenger of Allah?’ The Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘Yes, indeed I am.’ ‘Umar responded, ‘Are we not upon the truth and our enemy upon falsehood?’ The Holy Prophet (sa) responded, ‘Yes, indeed it is so.’ ‘Umar said, ‘Why then should we bear this humiliation in the matter of our true religion?’ Upon seeing this state of Hazrat ‘Umar (ra), the Holy Prophet (sa) concisely said, ‘Look hither Umar! I am the Messenger of God. I understand the will of God and I cannot act against it and it is He who shall be my Helper.’ But the indignation in the mood of Hazrat ‘Umar (ra) was growing, moment by moment. He began to say, ‘Did you not say that we would perform Ṭawaf [circuits] around the Ka‘bah?’ The Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘Yes, indeed I did, but did I also say that this Ṭawaf would definitely be this year?’ ‘Umar (ra) said, ‘No, you did not.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) responded, ‘Then be patient. God-willing, you shall indeed enter Makkah and perform tawaf of the Ka‘bah.’
However, in this emotional state, Hazrat ‘Umar (ra) was not satisfied. Nonetheless, due to the extraordinary awe of the Holy Prophet (sa), Hazrat ‘Umar (ra) left and came to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra). In his emotional state, he asked the same question again, and Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) also responded in the same way as the Holy Prophet (sa). However, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) also advised him, ‘O Umar, look hither! Control yourself. Do not allow for your grip to loosen from the rope of Allah’s Messenger. By God, this man, in whose hand we have given our own is without a doubt, truthful.’ Hazrat ‘Umar (ra) said that at the time because of his emotional state he said such things, but later he felt exceedingly repentant. Moreover, in order to wash away the effects of this weakness as a form of repentance, he performed many voluntary acts as an expiation. In other words, he gave charity, fasted, offered voluntary Salat and even freed numerous slaves, so that this blemish of weakness could be cleansed.”
(Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra), pp. 767-768)