Pledge of al-Aqaba: Difference between revisions

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.

* 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.