'Prophet of Allaah' was omitted from the pact of Al-Hudaybiyyah

10-4-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

1- What do you say about a Muslim who minimizes the status of the Prophet and claims that he conceded his prophecy in Sulh al-Hudaibiya, when he ordered Ali to erase the words of “messenger of Allah” from his name and write ‘Mohammad Ibn Abdullah’ instead? He also claims that Islam does not depend on anyone – even on the Prophet?
2- What do you think about a person who insults his fellow Muslim and make comments that his beard is like a hedgehog?
3- Can such a person make repentance? How should I deal with him? Is it permissible to befriend him and behave normally with him?
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

A Muslim must regard the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) highly and respect him fully. This is part of one’s faith. Denigrating the status of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is among the deeds of Kufr (disbelief). What that person mentioned regarding the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is not true. In fact, the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) never renounced his prophecy, but he simply ordered that the words ‘Prophet of Allah’ be omitted from the pact of Hudaybiyyah.

Suhayl, the representative of the disbelievers who was negotiating with the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) and who was a disbeliever at that time, refused to sign the peace pact of Hudaybiyyah while it contained the words: ‘This is what Muhammad, Prophet of Allah, has made peace with’ in it.

There was a great benefit for Muslims in this pact of peace, which should not be overlooked or belittled. Thus, the omission of the wording ‘Prophet of Allah’ was a small inconvenience (evil), compared to the great benefit and goodness resulting from the peace treaty.

The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) ordered that the term ‘Prophet of Allah’ be omitted and said: “I swear by Allah that I am the Prophet of Allah, even if you deny this." [Ahmad]

Regarding the saying of that person that Islam does not depend on any person even if it is the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam; then if he means that the rulings of Islam should not be taken from the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition), then this is a falsehood and a clear misguidance and an apostasy from Islam.

However, if he means that the continuity of Da’wah (calling to Islam) and the spread of the religion does not require the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) to be alive, then this meaning is correct.

As for the one who insults his bearded friend, if this insult is because that friend is imitating the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) in keeping a beard, then this insult is an apostasy. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And if you ask them, they will surely say, "We were only conversing and playing." Say, "Is it Allah and His verses and His Messenger that you were mocking?" Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after your belief. If We pardon one faction of you - We will punish another faction because they were criminals.} [Quran 9:65-66]

However, whoever repents to Allah Almighty sincerely, Allah Almighty will accept his repentance and forgive him. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {But indeed, I am the Perpetual Forgiver of whoever repents and believes and does righteousness and then continues in guidance.} [Quran 20:82]

If that person insulted his friend just because of personal enmity between them, then it is possible to deal with him whether he repents or not, and try to reconcile between them, and end the causes of enmity between them. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: ''Shall I not inform you of something more excellent in degree than fasting, prayer and spending in charity?" The people replied: 'Yes, O, Prophet of Allaah!' He said: "Reconciling between people." And spoiling the relations between people is the shaver (destruction) [i.e. demolishing the religion as a whole." [Ahmad, and Shu’ayb Al-Arna’oot classified it as authentic]

However, if he insulted him just because he is imitating the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) then, in this case, it is not permissible to befriend or have contact with him until he repents, because if he does not repent, he has to be condemned and punished, and the least one should do is cut relations with him.

For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 53874, 91387, ">86281, 330349, and 353572.

Allah knows best.

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