Pledge of al-Aqaba

Pledge of ʿAqaba (Arabic: بیعت عقبة) 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.

Terminology

Lexically, al-Aqaba means defile, a way to get to the top of a mountain. Because both of the pledges of allegiance to Prophet Muhammad (s) were held in a defile at al-Aqaba, between Mecca and Mina, they are known as pledges of al-Aqaba.

It is located five k.m far from Mecca.

Preparation of Circumstances

Abu Talib ibn 'Abd 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:

Banu Khazraj: As'ad ibn Zurara, Awf ibn Harith, Mu'adh ibn Harith, Dhakwan ibn Abd al-Qays, Rafi' ibn Malik, Ubada ibn al-Samit, Abi Abd al-Rahman Yazid ibn Tha'laba, Al-'Abbas ibn Ubada ibn Nadala, Uqba ibn Amir ibn Nabi and Qutba ibn Amir ibn Hadida.

Banu Aws: Abu al-Haytham ibn Tayhan and Uwaym ibn Sa'ida.

Principles of the First Pledge

1. To worship God as the only one and avoid polytheism.
2. Avoid theft and adultery.
3. Avoid filicide
4. Avoid calumnies
5. To listen and obey Prophet Muhammad (s) in all good deeds.

If they took an oath of allegiance, they shall enter the Paradise; if they rejected it, God have mercy on them or they shall enter the Hell.

Why it is Called Bay'at al-Nisa'?

There are some probable reasons for calling it Bay't al-Nisa':

1. 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.
2. Because the connotation of this pledge was about accepting Prophet Muhammad (s) as their own family member.
3. Because it was supposed to prevent war between Muslims and polytheists, while war is considered a manhood practice, it is called Bayt al-Nisa'.

First Action of Prophet Muhammad (s)

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 al-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.

Al-'Abbas said to attendants: "Muhammad (s) is one of us, we have protected him as much as we could. He wants to join you, so if you think you can carry out what you promise while inviting him to your town and if you can defend him against the enemies, then assume the burden that you have taken. Otherwise, you had better leave him." Then they said: "We will take the oath of allegiance to him, we will fight alongside him against his enemies and we will be the friends of his friends."

It's said Al-Bara' ibn Ma'rur or Abu al-Haytham ibn Tayhan or As'ad ibn Zurara was the first person who took an oath of allegiance to Prophet Muhammad (s).

Why it is Called Bay'at al-Harab

Because people of Yathrib promised to fight alongside Prophet Muhammad (s), this pledge is known as Pledge of War. Some members of Ansar (Helpers) declared they will fight for Prophet Muhammad (s) from the first night. Al-'Abbas ibn Ubada asked Prophet Muhammad (s) for permission to attack polytheists who were performing Hajj practices in Mina, but Prophet rejected it and said return to your families and relatives.

The Results

• After the pledge, Prophet Muhammad (s) chose twelve people of Yathrib as their naqibs (representatives of their tribes).
• It prepared the city and situations for the forthcoming Migration of Prophet Muhammad (s) to Medina.

See Also

• Aws and Khazraj

External Links

• The material of this article is mainly taken from بیعت عقبه in Farsi WikiShia.