Page 11 - Non-violence and peace-building

Non-violence and Peace-building in Islam

informers that Khalid ibn al-Walid, intent on blocking
the Muslims’ path, had advanced with two hundred
cavalrymen to Ghamim. On hearing this, the Prophet
changed route, deviating from a well-frequented path
to a little-known and arduous route, which led him
to Hudaybiyah. In this way, he avoided clashing with
Khalid’s army.
1
This is how the historian Ibn Hisham in his
biography of the Prophet describes these events:

“Who can show us a path not occupied by the
Quraysh?” the Prophet asked. Someone volunteered
to do so and then proceeded to guide the Muslims
by a route which led through arduous, rocky and
mountainous passes. The Muslims had great difficulty
in crossing these passes, but when they had done so
and emerged upon an open plain, the Prophet called
on them to seek forgiveness of God and turn to Him.
This they did, and the Prophet said that this was the
word of forgiveness which the Israelites had been called
upon to utter, but they had failed to do so.
This was obviously a trying time for the Muslims,
but they had to face their trial with patience and
forbearance. This was the path laid down for them
by God. Even the slightest hesitation to follow that
path was to be considered a transgression, for which
forgiveness had to be sought. That is why the Prophet
urged his followers to repent and seek forgiveness for
any weakness or irritability they may have shown at that

1 Abu Muhammad Abd al-Malik bin Hisham (d. 833 C.E.) edited
the biography of the Prophet Muhammad written by Ibn Ishaq.

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