HAZRAT MUHAMMAD S.A.

W AS A DIPLOMAT
The diplomatic career of Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W) includes Muhammad S.A.W leadership
over the growing Muslim ummah in early times in Arabia and his correspondence with the rulers
of other states in and around Arabia. The period was marked with changes in the means as those
were in the era of jahiliyyah during pre-Islamic time period to the early Islamic period that
included a new system of government with completely different customs and ways to interact
with other states across the world in accordance with Islamic sharia law and Islamic theocracy.
Muhammad S.A.W established communication with other leaders of Arabia through letters,
envoys and by visiting personally to meet them. He wanted to spread the message of Islam
outside Arabia to all humanity. The main defining moments of Muhammad S.A.W career as a
diplomat includes Pledges at Al-Aqabah, The constitution of Medina, The treaty of Hudaybiyyah
and letters to Heraclius, Negus, Muqawqis and Khosrau II.

Early Invitations to Islam

Migration to Abyssinia
Muhammad S.A.W commencement to preach public about religion Islam faced stringed
opposition from the tribes of Mecca the Quraysh. Although Muhammad S.A.W was saved from
persecution due to protection and facilitation provided by his uncle Abu Talib his followers were
not in the same position, they were beaten, imprisoned and starved for days as a punishment to
accept and follow Islam as religion. In order to avoid giving another chance to a conflict and any
other injustice to be done to Muslims, in 615 Hazrat Muhammad S.AW sent fifteen Muslims to
immigrate to Axum so that they can get protection under a Christian ruler, the Negus Ashama
Ibn Abjar. It not just saved the Muslims from the evil hands of Quraysh but also opened up new
trading prospects. It also includes letter to the Negus of Axum.
Ja’far Ibn Abi Talib As Muhammad S.A.W Ambassador
The Quraysh on getting informed about the attempted emigration by the Muslims dispatched a
group led by Amir Ibn Al-As to capture the escaped Muslims. The Muslims without even being
getting captured reached Axum before them and were given protection by Negus in Harar. When
the Quraysh reached there they claimed for the men of their tribes and land. Ja’far Ibn Abi Talib
acted as a ambassador of Muhammad S.AW and delivered speech including the Quranic verses
related to Islam and Christianity that included verses from Surah Maryam. The Negus being
immensely overwhelmed and impressed decided to allow those migrants to stay resulting the
Quraysh to go back empty handed. Having established cordial relations not just the Muslims
were saved that time but the numbers of Muslims in Abyssinia were further increased up to
hundred. It is also narrated that Negus may had accepted Islam at that time.

Pledges At Al’aqaba
In 620 during the month of pilgrimage six men of Khazraj travelling from Medina came with a
meet up with Muhammad S.A.W. They in their first interaction were impressed by the
personality and character of Holy Prophet S.A.W and thought that he can help to resolve
problems of Medina. Five men returned to Mecca following year with seven more men. They
met Muhammad S.A.W and submitted themselves solely to Islam and pledged to stay away from
sinful acts. This is called first pledge of Al’Aqaba. Seeing this scenario Muhammad S.A.W
chose Mu’sab Ibn Umair as a Muslim ambassador to Medina to make people aware of Islamic
values and introducing them to religion Islam. From slow conversion both by Khazraj and Aws
present in Medina seventy five people in 621 came to Mecca as pilgims and secretly met
Muhammad S.A.W in night. The group made the pledge called as second pledge of Aqaba also
called pledge of war. The citizens of Medina agreed that they will help Muhammad S.A.W in
war and asked to declare war on Quraysh but he refused.

Constitution of Medina
After the pledges at Al-Aqaba, Muhammad S.A.W was receiving promises of safeguard from the
citizens of Medina. Keeping this in view Muhammad S.A.W migrated to Medina and was given
shelter by Ansar. After establishing the first mosque he set about establishing a pact called
constitution of Medina commonly known as ‘Charter of Medina’. This was a unilateral
declaration by Muhammad S.A.W, that included civil & political relations of citizens among
themselves and with the people from outside the state of Medina. The constitution declared that:
1- Formation of a nation of Muslims (Ummah) that initially included Muhajirun from
the Quraysh the Ansar of Medina and other Muslims of Medina.
2- Establishment of a system of exchange of prisoners in which the rich were no longer
treated differently from the poor (as it happened in pre-Islamic Arabia)
3- All the signatories will unite together as one for the defense of city of Medina, declared
that Jews of Aws equal to the Muslims, as long as they were loyal to the charter.
4- Protection of Jews from religious persecution.
5- Only Muhammad S.A.W can declare War.
Impact Of Constitution
The signing of the constitution was an indicator for the formation of a united community similar
to a federation of many nomadic clans and tribes that were one as according to the constitution.
The constitution formed the basis of equality and justice in the society and security of Medina.

Treaty Of Hudaybiyyah
In march 628 Muhammad S.A.W with his companions and followers prepared to travel to Mecca
to perform the Umrah. He set out with 1400 pilgrims toward Mecca. When Quraysh get
informed about this they sent a fighting force of 200 people to halt the coming convoy. As the
Muslims were armless and were in no position to fight so Muhammad S.A.W evaded the cavalry
opting a more difficult route through the hilly area northwards Mecca and reached Hudaybiyyah
just west of Mecca. Number of attempts were being made to negotiate with the Quraysh, during
the negotiations Muhammad S.A.W chose Uthman Ibn Affan to negotiate with leaders in Mecca
on high regard among Quraysh. On his entry in Mecca, rumors among the Muslims outbreak that
Uthman has been murdered by Quraysh. Muhammad S.A.W called upon the pilgrims to make a
pledge and stay with me whatever happens and whatever decision will be made not to flee. The
moment rumors about Uthman proved untrue a treaty was signed between Muslims and Quraysh
having tenure of ten years that included following major points:
1- The Muslims have to go back and will not be allowed to perform Umrah this year.
2- A pact for non-aggressive stance between the two parties.
3- A surety by Muhammad S.A.W that any member of Quraysh migrated to Medina without
permission of their parent or guardian shall be returned back to Quraysh.
The treaty also gave right to the Arab tribes whether to join Muslims or Quraysh. The party
which they are joining would have right to retaliate if any of these tribes face aggression by
anyone. Some of the followers of Muhammad S.A.W were upset as their view was that they
should perform Umrah. This treaty not just saved hundred of lives but also the Meccans
recognized Muhammad S.A.W as an equal political leader who has capability and credibility and
knows how to use them.
Violation Of The Treaty
The treaty was to be expired after ten years, but was broken after only ten months because Banu
Bakr joined Quraysh and Banu Khuza’ah joined Medina. Banu Bakr attacked Banu Khuza’ah at
Al-Wateer in Sha’baan 8 AH and it was revealed that the Quraysh helped Banu Bakr with men
and arms during night. Nawfal the chief of Banu Bakr was killed in this conflict but the Bnau
Khuza’ah was badly affected.

Correspondence With Other Leaders

Letter To Heraclius Of The Byzantine Empire
Muhammad S.A.W dispatched Dihyah-Al-Kalbi to carry epistle to “caeser” by the government
of Bosra after the Byzantine defeat of the Persians and reconquest of Jerusalem. After he read the
letter he was impressed by the generosity of prophet Muhammad S.A.W and he sent gifts for
Muhammad S.A.W. Heraclius asked Abu Sufyan when summoned him in his court about
Muhammad S.A.W, Abu Sufyan spoke favorably and explained every single detail of character
of Holy Prophet S.A.W. the Heraclius was impressed a lot and thought that Muhammad S.A.W
claim of prophet was valid. Later he wrote to certain religious scholars in Rome to confirm if the
claim of prophethood by Muhammad S.A.W was right. The roman assembly replied “if you want
your empire to remain firmly established, then follow this prophet.” Heraclius decided against
the assembly but retuned envoy with felicitations of the emperor to Medina.
Conclusion
Muhammad S.A.W always made efforts to resolve issues by negotiations to maintain peace and
stability by saving both sides the Quraysh and the Muslims from conflicts that may had caused
immense amount of damage to humanity. The major objective of diplomacy of Prophet S.A.W
was to develop human transcendence by divine teachings and is superior to just privileges
exchanges and to make humanity aware that human matters more than the material things.
HUZAIFA
BS SS-1
ISLAMIYAT PROJECT
MEMBERS= GHANI, WALEED, HUZAIFA