May 12
Sunday 4 Dhul Qidah, 1445
May 12
Sunday 4 Dhul Qidah, 1445
The religious journey to Makkah is one of the most important aspects in Islam. There are two types of religious journeys in Islam, one of them is ‘’Hajj’’, which is a major journey to the Kaaba in Makkah. Its performance is essential for every Muslim at least once in their life. At the same time, the other one is a minor journey, ‘’Umrah’’, which is considered an act of Sunnah. These journeys are not only a source of showing our love and obedience to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, but they also enlighten the soul and bring one closer to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
The Muslims were not allowed to enter Makkah as the city was controlled by the Quraysh, the tribe that mistreated the Prophet(ﷺ) and his companions. Muslims migrated to Madinah, but hatred and mistreatment did not vanish. Then, Muslims attempted to perform Umrah in 6 AH, but they were stopped at the point of Hudaybiyah. It led to an agreement between both parties, which then allowed Muslims to perform Umrah.
The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah is considered one of the most impactful occasions in Islamic History. In 6 AH, the Prophet (ﷺ) went to Makkah with his companions to perform Umrah. In total, 1400 people went on this journey. They did not have any weapons, nor did they intend to hurt anyone, as they were dressed in pilgrimage attire. But Quraysh did not allow them to enter the boundaries of Makkah.
Negotiations took place between the Muslims and the Quraysh at the place of Hudaybiyyah. A ten-year agreement was signed, in which the first condition was that Muslims would not perform Umrah this year but would come next year, and they would be welcomed then. After the agreement was settled, many fellows felt that it was an unjust agreement, but the Prophet (ﷺ), following Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى's commands, agreed to the clauses. The Prophet ﷺ’s faith in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى encouraged the fellows.
The clause from Allah, سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, was given to the Prophet (ﷺ) after the agreement that states that the Muslims have achieved success without any war, but only by settling a simple conference. The agreement not only opened doors for Muslims to perform Umrah but also is considered a crucial point in the history of Islam. This agreement set up such an environment in which Muslims can perform their task of spreading Islam more efficiently.
“It is He who sent His Messenger with guidance and the true faith to make it superior to other systems of belief, even though the idolaters may not like it.” (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:33)
This agreement at Hudabiyyah showed that the Prophet (ﷺ) consistently sought harmonious solutions and worked with discipline. Both of these factors are crucial and contributed to many historic events in Islam, including the first religious journey to Makkah.
One year passed by, as it was decided in the agreement, the Prophet (ﷺ) and his fellows were all ready to perform Umrah. This religious visit to Makkah was named as Umrah al-Qada, which was not only a performance of a religious act, but it was also a representation of Muslims' honour and execution of the clause on which both parties agreed.
More than 1500 Muslims went along with the Prophet (ﷺ) for the Umrah. Every single one of them dressed properly to perform the first Umrah after the migration. The Prophet (ﷺ) asked the people to remain patient, calm, and focused. The people were asked to show no signs of aggression or frustration, as they had been asked to return the year before to perform the holy act.
The Prophet (ﷺ) asked the people to keep their alms close to them, but only for the safety of Muslim pilgrims. This ensured that the journey was safe enough for Muslims.
“Perform the pilgrimage and holy visit ('Umra, to Makkah) in the service of God.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:196)
In this clause, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى commands Muslims to perform this holy act solely for him. The journey from Madinah to Makkah was a true representation of Muslims’ belief, discipline, and strength. This journey showed the Quraysh and other religions that Islam is a religion that promotes unity and patience, not violence.
The Prophet (ﷺ) and his fellows entered the city, which they had to leave because of hatred and unacceptance.
The Muslims' entrance into Makkah after migrating to Madinah was a true representation of harmony and peace of soul. As decided in the agreement, the Muslims were allowed to enter Makkah and perform their rituals accordingly, but they were given a deadline of 3 days. This was the first time after migration that the Muslims were allowed to perform Umrah and enter Makkah, the place they had to leave because of Quraysh.
When the Muslims entered Makkah, the environment was quite calm and peaceful. They were already dressed to perform Umrah; they followed the Prophet (ﷺ) and did TAWAF, SA’I, and TAHALLUL. These three are the rituals that are performed during Umrah as they represent the struggles of Prophet Ismail (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) and Prophet Ibrahim (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ).
The Muslims were instructed by the Prophet (ﷺ) in prayers and to show love and grace for Allah, سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. The Prophet ﷺ’s entrance into Makkah was not only a historic event, but it also showed power to the enemies, as well as showed compassion for the completion of the task assigned by Allah, سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى.
The successful and peaceful performance of the first religious journey after migration not only left a good impact on Quraysh but also on the locals of Makkah. The Quraysh considered the Muslims as enemies and fuss creators for a very long time, but after observing the whole pilgrimage situation, their perspective about Muslims changed a bit, as they couldn't ignore the unity, peace, and faith of those Muslims. The attitudes of Quraysh changed, and they started showing flexibility towards the Muslims.
The return of the Muslim community to Makkah was not only a simple success, but it also showed that Islam is a religion that promotes peace and discipline, not violence. The Quraysh, people of the Makkah, who once forced the Prophet ﷺ and his fellows to leave the city not observe them fulfilling their duties with discipline and comfort without any problem. The people of Quraysh were stunned by the Muslims' unity and discipline. This impressed people a lot and convinced them to convert to Islam.
This religious journey from Makkah to Madinah emphasizes religious and societal importance for the Muslim Ummah as well as the other continents. Religiously, this event was quite important for the Prophet (ﷺ) and his fellows. It gave evidence that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى’s plans are to be fulfilled and the Prophet (ﷺ) is the last messenger of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى Almighty. As the Muslims entered Makkah after a very long time, they enjoyed performing Umrah in Makkah, and it was a great experience for them.
“When We chose the site of the House for Abraham (We said:) Associate no one with Me, and clean My House for those who will circumambulate it, stand (in reverence), and bow in homage.” (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:26)
This clause emphasizes the significance of the Kaaba as a holy place and the central point of worship for all Muslims. This trip back to Makkah was special for the Prophet ﷺ and his fellows as it served as a source of reconnection for the Muslims to their history and religion. From a political perspective, this journey has given rise to some serious assumptions. It proves to be a critical point in the connection between the Muslims and Quraysh. The return of Muslims to Makkah demonstrated their collective strength as a community.
According to the agreement, the Muslims were allowed to enter Makkah and perform their rituals peacefully. This religious journey was not only an example of faith and discipline, but it also had a significant societal impact as Islam is flourishing and becoming strong as the Prophet controls it (ﷺ) with Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى's commands.
After the migration of the Prophet (ﷺ) from Makkah to Madinah, the first religious journey for the performance of Umrah is known as Umrah al-Qada. This journey provided Muslims with knowledge and patience that were quite important for the upcoming generations.
Many Muslim companions disliked the agreement, but the Prophet (ﷺ) remained calm. That decision was not in favor of Muslims, but still the Prophet (ﷺ) showed faith in Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. This shows that sometimes showing patience and stepping back paves the way for success in the future.
This event emphasized the significance of having harmonious discussions to solve problems rather than fights. The Prophet (ﷺ) followed the rules that were settled in the agreement and remained calm. This act of patience and discipline helped Muslims to get back to Makkah.
This trip led to the development of unity among the Muslims. As the fellows followed the steps of the Prophet (ﷺ), showing unity and discipline emphasized its importance.
The Umrah al-Qada marks the first ever performance of Umrah by the Muslims after migration from Makkah to Madinah. It not only represents the pilgrimage but also holds great importance in the history of Islam as a critical point in the links between Muslims and Quraysh. The Muslims didn’t lose hope after bearing the anger of the Quraysh; rather, they stood firm and believed in Allah, سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى with discipline, faith, and unity. The fact that they were able to perform Umrah after the agreement showcased the power of unity, faith, and discipline.
The religious journey to Makkah is a kind of act that refreshes the soul and makes the bond between Muslims and the holy city of Makkah strong. For the Muslim community, the journey to Makkah has provided them with a holy place where they can worship and admire their Allah, سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى, along with the knowledge of power that their religion holds.
The knowledge and experience gained from the first religious journey remain important in this age, as patience, peace, and harmony are essential factors in every generation. This event holds great importance for the Muslim community, as it reminds them to remain calm and patient, for those who have a strong faith in their God are often successful. In the end, the First holy pilgrimage shows that it was not only a journey to Makkah, but rather it is a journey of harmony that holds both historical and divine importance.
The first religious journey to Makkah is known as Umrah al-Qada, which refers to the performance of Umrah without Hajj. Hajj is the major religious journey in Islam, performed during the month of Dhul Hijjah. It is one of the five pillars of Islam, and its performance is essential for people who are stable financially and physically. Umrah is a minor religious journey that can be performed at any time of the year.
Hajj requires a few additional specified acts, such as standing at Arafat, while Umrah is simpler and includes Tawaf, Sa’i, and Tahallul.
In 6 AH, an agreement was made between Muslims and Quraysh that stated that the Muslims would not be allowed to enter Makkah that year, but they could after one year, and the Prophet (ﷺ) made sure that the agreement was fulfilled. Many of the Muslim fellows did not like the agreement, but still the Prophet (ﷺ) asked them to remain calm and have faith in Allah, سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى. This led to a harmonious religious journey to Makkah the following year that also left a great impact on people’s hearts.
As decided, Muslims had only three days to perform their Umrah, but they performed their duties with full enthusiasm, setting an example of discipline, faith, and peace for the other people.
The first journey to Makkah after migration softened the hearts of the Quraysh, as they were impressed by the Muslims' unity and discipline, and some of them even converted to Islam. They witnessed the Muslims performing Umrah and were impressed by their discipline and faith. As time passed, the people began converting to Islam.