بيعة العقبة الثانية
The Second Pledge of Aqaba
Dhul Hijjah, 13th year of Prophethood (622 CE)
Aqaba, near Mina العقبة – منى
Seventy-three men and two women from Madinah met the Prophet ﷺ secretly at Aqaba during the Hajj season and pledged allegiance to him. This time, the pledge included military protection — they promised to defend the Prophet ﷺ as they would defend their own families. Twelve leaders (nuqaba) were appointed to represent their tribes.
Why this matters
This pledge was the turning point that made the Hijrah possible. The people of Madinah offered the Prophet ﷺ not just asylum but active protection and support. The two women who pledged were Nusaybah bint Ka'b (Umm Umarah) and Asma bint Amr. Al-Abbas, the Prophet's ﷺ uncle, was present to verify the commitment of the Madinan delegates.