صلح الحديبية
The Treaty of Hudaybiyah
Dhul Qa'dah, 6 AH (628 CE)
Hudaybiyah, near Makkah
The Prophet ﷺ set out with 1,400 Muslims for Umrah, not for war. The Quraysh blocked them at Hudaybiyah near Makkah. After negotiations, a ten-year truce was agreed upon. Its terms seemed unfavorable to the Muslims: they would return that year without performing Umrah, any Qurayshi who fled to Madinah must be returned, but any Muslim who went to Makkah would not be returned. Many Companions, especially Umar, found these terms difficult to accept.
Why this matters
Though it appeared to be a setback, the Quran called it 'a manifest victory' (Fath Mubin). The treaty gave Muslims the legitimacy to operate openly, allowed them to make alliances, and led to a massive wave of conversions during the peace. Within two years, more people entered Islam than in the previous nineteen years combined. It proved the Prophet's ﷺ superior strategic vision.
Quran references
إِنَّا فَتَحْنَا لَكَ فَتْحًۭا مُّبِينًۭا لِّيَغْفِرَ لَكَ ٱللَّهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِن ذَنۢبِكَ وَمَا تَأَخَّرَ وَيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُۥ عَلَيْكَ وَيَهْدِيَكَ صِرَٰطًۭا مُّسْتَقِيمًۭا وَيَنصُرَكَ ٱللَّهُ نَصْرًا عَزِيزًا
Surah Al-Fath, 1-3
Indeed, We have given you, [O Muhammad], a clear conquest That Allah may forgive for you what preceded of your sin and what will follow and complete His favor upon you and guide you to a straight path And [that] Allah may aid you with a mighty victory.
۞ لَّقَدْ رَضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ يُبَايِعُونَكَ تَحْتَ ٱلشَّجَرَةِ فَعَلِمَ مَا فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ فَأَنزَلَ ٱلسَّكِينَةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَثَٰبَهُمْ فَتْحًۭا قَرِيبًۭا
Surah Al-Fath, 18
Certainly was Allah pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you, [O Muhammad], under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down tranquillity upon them and rewarded them with an imminent conquest