The Pen at Hudaybiyyah

When the Prophet ﷺ camped at Hudaybiyyah on his way to 'umrah, Quraysh sent several envoys. The last, and the one who finalised the terms, was Suhayl ibn 'Amr. He came to make a settlement that would save Quraysh's face by turning the Muslims back that year.

The Prophet ﷺ told 'Ali to write, "In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate." Suhayl objected: "As for al-Rahman, I do not know what he is. Write 'In Your name, O Allah.'" The Prophet ﷺ agreed. Then 'Ali wrote, "This is what Muhammad, Messenger of Allah, has agreed." Suhayl said, "If we knew you were the Messenger of Allah we would not have fought you. Write your name and your father's name." 'Ali would not erase the words, so the Prophet ﷺ had him show where they were, and wiped them out with his own hand.

The terms were hard: the Muslims would turn back that year; they would return in the next; there would be ten years of peace; and anyone from Quraysh who came to Muhammad without his guardian's permission would be returned, while anyone who went from the Muslims to Quraysh would not be. Many Companions found it hard to accept. Allah called the treaty a clear victory, and the Prophet ﷺ's vision has been proven right by what followed: in two years the peace allowed more people to enter Islam than ever before.