Pledge of al-Aqaba: Difference between revisions

'''Pledge of ʿAqaba''' is referred to the oath of allegiance of people of [[Yathrib]] to [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]], prior to his [[migration to Medina]]. The first pledge was held 12 years after [[Bi’that]] and the second pledge which held at al-Aqaba was held 13 years of Bi’that is known as bay’a at al-Aqaba. The first pledge is known as bay’at al-Nisa’ and the second one is known for Bay’at al-Harab. The significance of these pledges of allegiance is that both were important in preparation of situation for migration of Prophet Muhammad (s) and Muslims from [[Mecca]] to [[Medina]].

[[Abu Talib ibn Abdu al-Muttalib]] and [[Khadija bint Khuwaylid]] passed away ten years after Bi’that, which left Prophet Muhammad (s) with no supporter, in addition he was under severe pressure from his enemies. He met six members of [[Banu Khazraj]] from Medina 11 years after Bi’that. According to the sources, they met either in [[Mina]] or in al-Aqaba. Prophet Muhammad (s) asked about their identity and their allies. They said they were Jews’ ally. Then he introduced Islam and [[Quran]] to them. People of Medina vaguely knew about a Prophet in Medina, and they hoped Prophet could stop the adversaries between the tribes of [[Aws]] and [[Khazraj]]. After they returned to [[Yathrib]], they told about Prophet to people.

==The First Pledge of ‘Aqaba==

In the first Pledge of ‘Aqaba, also known as Bay'at al-Nisa', twelve members of Banu Aws and Banu Khazraj converted to Islam and took an oath of allegiance to Prophet Muhammad (s) in the time of [[Hajj]], twelve years after Bi'that. Here are the names of those who attended:

===Why it is Called Bay’at al-Nisa’?===

A. Because Afra' bint Ubayd ibn Tha'laba was the first woman who took an oath of allegiance to Prophet Muhammad (s). Although it seems irrelevant, because no women were present in the first Pledge of ‘Aqaba.

B. Because the connotation of this pledge was about accepting Prophet Muhammad (s) as their own family member.

C. Because it was supposed to prevent war between Muslims and polytheists, while war is considered a manhood practice, it is called Bayt al-Nisa'.

After the first Pledge of ‘Aqaba, Prophet Muhammad (s) sent [[Mus'ab ibn Umair]] to [[Medina]] to teach [[Quran]] to newly converted Muslims. However some historians mentioned that he was sent to Medina after the second Pledge of ‘Aqaba.

The second Pledge of ‘Aqaba, also known as bay'at al-Harab (pledge of War), took place near [[Mina]], Mecca (today [[Al-Khif mosque]] is located there) in the time of [[Hajj]], thirteen years after [[Bi'that]]. It is said seventy men or seventy two men and two women were present at al-Aqaba. Also [[Al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib]], Prophet's uncle was present at al-Aqaba. People of Medina took oath of allegiance to Prophet Muhammad (s) individually or in a group of two. [[Rafi' ibn Malik ibn al-Ajlan]] was the first person who took the oath of allegiance.

===Why it is Called Bay’at al-Harab===