Scribe of the Treaty of Hudaibiyah (Hazrat Musleh Maud’s (ra) Narration)

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud (ra) has narrated this incident in a more detailed manner. He states:

“When the Holy Prophet (sa) arrived at the meeting of Hudaibiyah and the disbelievers were presenting their conditions for the treaty, the companions were seated and were boiling with fury from within, owing to atrocities which were continuously committed by the disbelievers against them for 20 years. Their swords were unsheathed and they waited for any opportunity to exact revenge for the atrocities they committed against Islam. But the Holy Prophet (sa) listened to what the disbelievers had to say and when they proposed the idea to enter into a treaty, he said, ‘Very well, let us form a treaty.’

“The disbelievers then said, ‘[We will enter the treaty] on the condition that this year you cannot perform the Umrah [pilgrimage]’ The Holy Prophet (sa) replied, ‘Very well, this year we shall not perform the Umrah. Then the disbelievers said, ‘When you come the following year to perform the Umrah, you may not remain in Mecca for longer than three days.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) answered, ‘Very well, I accept this condition.’ They then said, ‘You shall not be permitted to enter Mecca with your weapons.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘Very well. We shall not enter Mecca armed.’

“As the conditions of the treaty were being agreed upon, the companions were boiling with anger. Deep down they were restless owing to their anger, but could not do anything. Hazrat Ali (ra) was appointed to write up the treaty. When he began writing it by stating that this treaty was being formed between the party of Muhammad (sa), the Messenger of Allah, and his Companions and the party of such and such chieftains of Mecca and the people of Mecca, this enraged the disbelievers who said, ‘We cannot tolerate these words for we do not accept Muhammad (sa) as the Messenger of Allah. If we did, then there would be no matter of contention between us. We are forming a treaty with him in his capacity as Muhammad (sa), son of Abdullah, not with Muhammad (sa), the Messenger of Allah. Thus, these words cannot be included in the treaty.’

“At that moment, the emotions of the Companions could hardly be contained and they began to tremble with fury. They thought that God had created another opportunity whereby the Holy Prophet (sa) would not accept what the disbelievers said and they would be allowed to fight and thus be able to let out the deep emotions they felt within themselves. However, the Holy Prophet (sa) said, ‘They are right; the words “Messenger of Allah” should be erased from the treaty.’ He then said to Hazrat Ali (ra), ‘Ali, erase these words.’

“Although Hazrat Ali (ra) was an exemplary model when it came to obedience, in that moment his heart began to tremble and tears began to flow from his eyes as he said, ‘O Messenger of Allahsa! I am unable to erase these words.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) then said, ‘Give the parchment to me.’ He took it, and with his own hands, erased the words, ‘Messenger of Allah.’”

(Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 20, pp. 379-381, delivered 8 September 1939)