Pledge of al-Aqaba: Difference between revisions

'''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]].

Lexically, al-Aqaba means defile<ref>''Lisan al-'arab'', Vol.1, P.621</ref>, a way to get to the top of a mountain<ref>''Lisan al-arab'', Vol.1, P.621</ref>. Because both of the pledges of allegiance to [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]] were held in a defile at a defile between [[Mecca]] and [[Mina]], they are known as pledges of al-Aqaba.

It is located five k.m far from Mecca<ref>''Yaqut al-Himawi, Vol.2, PP.692-3</ref>.

[[Abu Talib b. 'Abd al-Muttalib]] and [[Khadija bt. 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<ref>Al-Tabari, ''al-Tarikh'', Vol.2, PP.343-4</ref>. He met six members of [[Banu Khazraj]] from [[Medina]] 11 years after Bi'that. According to the sources, they met either in [[Mina]]<ref>Ibn Sa'd, Vol.1, P.218</ref> or in al-Aqaba<ref>''Yaqut al-Himawi'', Vol.3, P.693; al-Tabari, ''al-Tarikh'', Vol.2, P.353</ref>. Prophet Muhammad (s) asked about their identity and their allies. They said they were Jews' ally. Then he introduced Islam and [[Qur'an]] 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 al-'Aqaba==

In the first Pledge of al-'Aqaba, also known as Bay'at al-Nisa', twelve members of [[Aws and Khazraj|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 b. Zurara]], Awf b. Harith, Mu'adh b. Harith, Dhakwan b. 'Abd al-Qays, Rafi' b. Malik, 'Ubada b. al-Samit, Abi 'Abd al-Rahman Yazid b. Tha'laba, 'Abbas b. 'Ubada b. Nadala, 'Uqba b. 'Amir b. Nabi and Qutba b. 'Amir b. Hadida.

Banu Aws: [[Abu l-Haytham b. Tayyihan]] and 'Uwaym b. Sa'ida.<ref>Ibn Sa'd, ''Al-Tabaqat'', Vol.1, P.205</ref>

===Principles of the First Pledge===

# Avoid [[filicide]]

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]].<ref>Hasan Ibrahim Hasan, Vol.1, PP.94-5; al-Baladhuri, Vol.1, PP.275-6</ref>

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

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

# Because Afra' bt. 'Ubayd b. 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.<ref>Hasan Ibrahim Hasan, Vol.1, P.95</ref>

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

# Because it was supposed to prevent war between Muslims and polytheists, while war is considered a manhood practice, it is called Bayt al-Nisa'.<ref>Al-Suhayli, Vol.4, P.70</ref>

===First Action of Prophet Muhammad (s)===

After the first Pledge of 'Aqaba, Prophet Muhammad (s) sent [[Mus'ab b. 'Umayr]] to [[Medina]] to teach [[Qur'an]] to newly converted Muslims.<ref>Al-Tabari, Vol.2, P.357</ref> However some historians mentioned that he was sent to Medina after the second Pledge of 'Aqaba.<ref>al-Baladhuri, Vol.1, P.277</ref>

==The Second Pledge of al-Aqaba==

The second Pledge of 'Aqaba, also known as Bay'at al-Harb (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 [['Abbas b. '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' b. Malik b. al-Ajlan]] was the first person who took the oath of allegiance.

'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 [[Bara' b. Ma'rur]] or [[Abu l-Haytham b. Tayyihan]] or [[As'ad b. Zurara]] was the first person who took an oath of allegiance to Prophet Muhammad (s).

===Why it is Called Bay'at al-Harb===

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. [['Abbas b. '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.<ref>Ibn Hisham, Vol.1, P.448</ref>

===The Results===

* After the pledge, Prophet Muhammad (s) chose twelve people of [[Yathrib]] as their [[naqib|naqibs]] (representatives of their tribes).<ref>Hasan Ibrahim Hasan, Vol.1, PP.277-8</ref>

* It prepared the city and situations for the forthcoming [[migration]] of Prophet Muhammad (s) to Medina.

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* Al-Baladhuri, Ahmad b. Yahya. 1417 AH/1996. ''Kitab jamal min ansab al-ashraf''. Beirut: Suhayl Zakar & Riyad Zarkali.

* Hasan Ibrahim Hasan. 1964. ''Tarikh al-Islam': al-siyasi wa al-dini wa al-thiqafi wa al-ijtima'i'', Vol.1. Cairo.

* Ibn Sa'd. 1405 AH/1985. ''Tabaqat al-kubra''. Beirut.

* Al-Tabari, Muhammad b. Jarir. 1382-87 AH/1962-67. ''Tarikh al-Tabari, Tarikh al-umam wa al-muluk''. Beirut: Muhammad Abu l-Fadl Ibrahim.

* Yaqut al-Himawi. 1873-66. ''Mu'jam al-buldan''. Leipzig: Ferdinand Wüstenfeld.

[[Category:Medina]]

[[Category:Prophet Muhammad (s)]]