Treaty Violated

The members of Khusaa tribe ran to Mecca and took refuge in the house of Budail Bin Warqua. They complained that the Meccans and the Banu Bekkar tribe violated the terms of the treaty with Mohammed. Amr Ibn  Salim went to Medina in haste to inform Mohammed about the violation of the treaty. When he came there, Mohammed was sitting in the Mosque along with his companions. Amr Ibn  Salim reported the matter to Mohammed and sought his help. Mohammed said that the Muslims would certainly come for their rescue. Following Amr Ibn  Salim, Budail Bin Warqua and some others also came to Medina. They informed Mohammed the story of the  attack and the support rendered by Banu Bekker for the attack. Mohammed was convinced about the violation of the treaty by Meccans. Mohammed thought that conquering Mecca is the only solution for the violation of the treaty by Meccans. Mohammed asked all the Muslims to get ready for conquering Mecca. 

Some elderly people among Meccans realized the danger of the steps taken by Aikrima and some youth. They have violated the treaty at Hubaidiya. They also realized that the strength and command of Mohammed was increasing day by day. They pondered over what would happen if Mohammed attacked Mecca in support of Khusaa. They sent Abu Sufian to Medina for meeting Mohammed and asking to renew and extend the terms of treaty for ten years more. He met with Budail Bin Warqua and his people at  Ishphaan on his way to Medina. Abu Sufian feared that Warqua would have informed Mohammed about the attack on them and that would make his mission more difficult. Budail denied his talk with Mohammed. But Abu Sufian was intelligent enough to learn from the members of his tribe that he was returning from Medina. Therefore, he thought that before meeting with Mohammed it would be better to meet his daughter Ummu Habedbaa who was the wife of Mohammed. Though Ummu Habedeba did not know about the decision taken by Mohammed about attacking Mecca, she knew the general feelings of Muslims and the feelings of Mohammed and his companions. Abu Sufian who reached the residence of Ummu Habedeba was about to sit on the sheet used by Mohammed, which was prevented by Ummu Habedeba. Abu Sufian enquired about this conduct. She replied that Abu Sufian was not qualified to sit on the sheet used by the messenger of God. Abu Sufian got angry and left the residence of Ummu Habedeba. He went straight to Mohammed and wanted to extend the term of the treaty. Mohammed did not seriously take him. 

Frustrated, Abu Sufian went to Abu Bekker and requested him to intervene and speak to Mohammed about his mission. Abu Bekker also was not ready to oblige to him. When he met Umer, Umer was also not prepared to help him in this matter. Finally, he approached Ali and  explained the situation. Ali also was not ready to help him. He also requested to Fathima the daughter of Mohammed and wife of Ali to support him in the matter of his peace mission. She also expressed her helplessness. He asked Ali what he should do in the matter. Ali replied that he did not find any suggestion. He further said that utilizing his status as the head of Khimana tribe he could contact the people and return to Mecca and he did not find any other solution for this problem. Abu Sufian declared before the people gathered in the mosque that he came with peace mission and thereafter he left for Mecca. He was very sad about the conduct of his daughter and his people who were giving him great respect before Hijra. 

Justice P K Shamsuddin