Pledge of al-Aqaba: Difference between revisions

'''Pledge of al-ʿAqaba''' (Arabic:{{iarabic| البیعة العقبة}}) 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]]/621 and the second pledge which held at al-'Aqaba was held 13 years after Bi'that/622 is known as Bay'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>Ibn Manzur, ''Lisan al-'Arab'', Vol.1, P.621</ref>, a way to get to the top of a mountain<ref>Ibn Manzur, ''Lisan al-arab'', Vol.1, P.621</ref>. Because both of the pledges of allegiance to [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]] were held at a defile between [[Mecca]] and [[Mina]], they are known as pledges of al-'Aqaba.

 

It is located five kilometers far from Mecca<ref>Yaqut al-Hamawi, ''Mu'jam al-buldan'', Vol.2, PP.692-3</ref>.

[[Abu Talib b. 'Abd al-Muttalib]] and [[Khadija bt. Khuwaylid]] passed away ten years after [[Bi'that]]/618, which left [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]] with no supporter, in addition, he was under severe pressure from his enemies<ref>Al-Tabari, ''Tarikh'', Vol.2, PP.343-4</ref>. He met six members of [[Khazraj]] from [[Medina]] 11 years after Bi'that/619. According to the sources, they met either in [[Mina]]<ref>Ibn Sa'd, ''al-Tabaqat'', Vol.1, P.218</ref> or in al-'Aqaba<ref>Yaqut al-Hamawi, ''Mu'jam al-buldan'', Vol.3, P.693; Al-Tabari, ''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 Mecca, and they hoped the Prophet (s) could stop the adversaries between the tribes of [[Aws and Khazraj]]. After they returned to [[Yathrib]], they told about the Prophet to people.

In the first Pledge of al-'Aqaba, also known as Bay'at al-Nisa', twelve members of Aws and Khazraj converted to Islam and took an oath of allegiance to Prophet Muhammad (s) in the time of [[Hajj]], twelve years after [[Bi'that]]/621.

* [['Awf b. Harith]]

* [[Mu'adh b. Harith]]

* [['Abbas b. 'Ubada]]

===Principles===

* To worship God as the only one and avoid [[polytheism]].

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>Al-Hasan Ibrahim al-Hasan, ''Tarikh al-Islam'', Vol.1, PP.94-5; Al-Baladhuri, ''Kitab jumal min ansab al-ashraf'', Vol.1, PP.275-6</ref>

===Naming as Bay'at al-Nisa'===

There are some probable reasons for calling it Bay'at al-Nisa' (pledge of the women):

 

* Because Afra' bt. 'Ubayd 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 al-'Aqaba.<ref>Al-Hasan Ibrahim al-Hasan, ''Tarikh al-Islam'', Vol.1, P.95</ref>

* 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>

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

The second Pledge of al-'Aqaba, also known as Bay'at al-Harb (Pledge of War), took place near [[Mina]], [[Mecca]] (today [[al-Khayf mosque]] is located there) in the time of [[Hajj]], thirteen years after [[Bi'that]]/622. It is said seventy men or seventy two men and two women were present at al-'Aqaba. Also [[al-'Abbas b. 'Abd al-Muttalib]], the 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.

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."

===Naming as 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. Al-'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, ''al-Sirat al-nabawiyya'', Vol.1, P.448</ref>

* After the pledge, Prophet Muhammad (s) chose [[twelve Naqibs]] of [[Yathrib]] as responsibles of their tribes.<ref>Al-Hasan Ibrahim al-Hasan, ''Tarikh al-Islam'', Vol.1, PP.277-8</ref>