The correct answer is 6th Hijrah. The event of Bait-e-Rizwan, also known as the Pledge of Tree (Bay'at al-Shajarah), occurred in the month of Dhu al-Qi'dah in the year 6 AH. This pivotal moment took place at a location called... Read More
The correct answer is 6th Hijrah. The event of Bait-e-Rizwan, also known as the Pledge of Tree (Bay'at al-Shajarah), occurred in the month of Dhu al-Qi'dah in the year 6 AH. This pivotal moment took place at a location called Hudaybiyyah, situated on the outskirts of Makkah. It was not a planned military maneuver but rather a spontaneous and profound demonstration of ultimate loyalty by approximately 1,400 companions toward the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The background of this event began when the Prophet (PBUH) saw a vision in a dream that he was performing Umrah. Following this divine sign, he set out from Madinah with a large group of followers. They were dressed in Ihram and carrying only travel swords in sheaths, signaling to everyone that their intentions were purely peaceful and religious, not warlike. However, the Quraish of Makkah, wary of the growing influence of Islam, blocked their passage at Hudaybiyyah, refusing to let the Muslims enter the city.
In an effort to resolve the standoff diplomatically, the Prophet (PBUH) decided to send an envoy to negotiate with the Quraish leaders. After some deliberation, Uthman ibn Affan (RA) was chosen for this task due to his strong tribal connections and high standing among the Makkans. He entered the city to convey the message that the Muslims had only come to visit the Kaaba. While he was inside Makkah, negotiations took longer than expected, and a false rumor began to circulate in the Muslim camp that Uthman (RA) had been martyred by the Quraish.
The news of the supposed assassination sent a shockwave through the companions. The Prophet (PBUH), sitting under a large Acacia tree (Samurah), called upon the believers to pledge that they would stand firm and fight to the death if necessary to avenge the blood of their brother and defend their faith.
The companions rushed forward, placing their hands over the hand of the Prophet (PBUH) one by one. In a beautiful gesture of solidarity, the Prophet (PBUH) placed his own left hand over his right, declaring, "This is the pledge on behalf of Uthman." This act demonstrated that even in his absence, Uthman (RA) was an inseparable part of the community.
This display of devotion was so significant that it was immortalized in the Quran. In Surah Al-Fath (The Victory), Allah revealed that He was well-pleased with the believers when they gave the pledge under the tree. Because of this "Pleasure of God," the event earned the name Rizwan (Satisfaction/Pleasure).
Shortly after the pledge was taken, it was discovered that Uthman (RA) was alive. The Quraish, realizing the unwavering resolve of the Muslims, opted for a diplomatic solution instead of war. This led to the drafting of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. While the terms of the treaty initially seemed unfavorable to some Muslims, it provided a decade of peace that allowed Islam to spread rapidly across the Arabian Peninsula, eventually leading to the peaceful Conquest of Makkah.
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