The Majestic Quran

48. Al-Fath The Victory This chapter was revealed in the sixth year of Hijra, just after the Treaty of Hudaibiyah. The Prophet r had a dream, he was performing Umrah, and the next day he informed the disciples of this. The central theme of the chapter is this dream of the Prophet r . There was lot of excitement, and preparations began for the sacred journey. The Prophet r also invited some new Muslims and Bedouins from around Madinah to join, though only a few joined him. Nearly 1,400 devotees participated, with their sacrificial animals that had clear marks on their flanks and garlands around their necks. Men wore two-piece unstitched uniforms and carried only a sheathed sword. They left Madinah in Dhul-Qada. When the Makkans heard of this they were bewildered, and suspicious of the Muslims. They faced the dilemma of whether to violate the time- honoured Arabian custom of allowing anyone to enter Makkah for the pilgrimage, or to stop them entering the city. When the Muslims reached Hudaibiyah, 13 km outside the city, they were stopped by the Makkan army led by Khalid ibn Waleed. This was an unprecedented move in their history. The Quraysh sent their envoy, Urwah, to negotiate with the Muslims. This is what he reported back: O people, I have been sent as envoy to kings, the Caesar, Chosreo of Persia, and Negus, but I have not seen a king whose men so honour him as the disciples of Muhammad honour him. If he gives a command they almost outstrip his words in fulfilling it; when he washes himself they compete for the water that falls off his hands; when he speaks their