Table of Contents
Immediate Shock and Confusion
When the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was first concluded, many of the Companions felt deeply shaken by its terms. They had set out from Madinah in ihram, with the clear hope of entering Makkah and performing ‘umrah. Instead, they found themselves turning back without even reaching the Ka‘bah, and with conditions that seemed to favor Quraysh.
Some of the clauses felt especially painful. The Muslims agreed to return to Madinah that year without ‘umrah. They also agreed that if anyone from Quraysh came to the Prophet ﷺ as a Muslim without the permission of their guardian, he would return them to Makkah, but if anyone left the Prophet ﷺ to go to Quraysh, Quraysh would not return them. To many of the Companions this looked like humiliation.
Their inner struggle can be felt in the reaction of ‘Umar ibn al Khattab رضي الله عنه. He later narrated that he approached the Prophet ﷺ and said words that revealed this confusion, not out of disbelief, but out of deep concern for the honor of Islam and longing for victory.
عن عروة بن الزبير، عن المسور بن مخرمة ومروان بن الحكم يصدق كل واحد منهما حديث صاحبه، قالا: خرج رسول الله ﷺ زمن الحديبية، حتى إذا كان ببعض الطريق، قال عمر بن الخطاب: يا رسول الله، ألسنا على الحق وهم على الباطل؟ قال: «بلى». قال: أليس قتلانا في الجنة وقتلاهم في النار؟ قال: «بلى». قال: ففيم نعطي الدنية في ديننا؟
Narrated from al Miswar ibn Makhramah and Marwan ibn al Hakam that ‘Umar ibn al Khattab said during Hudaybiyyah: “O Messenger of Allah, are we not upon the truth and they upon falsehood?” He said: “Yes.” ‘Umar said: “Are not those killed from among us in Paradise and those killed from among them in the Fire?” He said: “Yes.” He said: “So why do we accept humiliation in our religion?”
(Sahih al Bukhari)
The Prophet ﷺ replied calmly, with certainty and trust in revelation, and reminded ‘Umar of his own position as a messenger who must submit to Allah’s command.
فقال: «إني رسول الله، وهو ناصري، ولست أعصيه»
He ﷺ said: “I am the Messenger of Allah, and He is my Helper, and I do not disobey Him.”
(Sahih al Bukhari)
This brief exchange captures the early reaction of many Companions. They were convinced of the truth of Islam, ready to sacrifice their lives, and could not initially see how retreating and accepting these terms could ever be good. Yet their confusion was not rebellion. It was the tension between their zeal and the hidden wisdom of Allah.
The Companions’ initial discomfort at Hudaybiyyah was born from strong iman and sincere concern for Allah’s religion, not from doubt about Islam itself.
Emotional Pain over Specific Clauses
Some clauses of the treaty caused particular anguish among the believers. One of the first real tests came almost immediately. A man named Abu Jandal ibn Suhayl, the son of Suhayl ibn ‘Amr who had just signed the treaty on behalf of Quraysh, managed to escape from torture in Makkah. He came to the Muslims dragging his chains, pleading for protection and freedom, right after the ink of the treaty had dried.
Yet according to the agreement, the Prophet ﷺ was now bound to return him to Quraysh. The Companions saw a Muslim brother, clearly oppressed, begging not to be sent back to those who had harmed him. Their hearts burned.
The narrations describe how Abu Jandal cried out to the Muslims, warning them of what he would face if he were handed back. The believers were so moved that some of them pleaded with the Prophet ﷺ to make an exception. But he ﷺ did not break his word. He asked them to be patient and to trust Allah’s relief.
قال أبو جندل: يا معشر المسلمين، أُرَدُّ إلى المشركين يفتنوني عن ديني؟ فزاد الناس ذلك شراً إلى ما بهم، وقالوا: كيف يُرَدُّ إلى المشركين وقد جاء مسلماً؟
Abu Jandal said: “O assembly of Muslims, will I be returned to the idolaters so that they can persecute me for my religion?” That increased the distress of the people on top of what they already felt, and they said: “How can he be returned to the idolaters when he has come as a Muslim?”
(Reported in the longer hadith of Hudaybiyyah, Sahih Muslim)
To the Companions, it felt unbearable. They were being asked to witness suffering and not intervene in the way they expected, even though they had strength, numbers, and the Prophet ﷺ with them. This became a test of their submission to the Prophet’s judgment and to Allah’s promise, even when their hearts cried out in pain.
‘Umar’s Inner Turmoil and His Repentance
No Companion’s struggle at Hudaybiyyah is recorded in more detail than that of ‘Umar رضي الله عنه. His intense personality and deep love for Islam made him question not the truth, but the strategy. After speaking to the Prophet ﷺ, he turned to Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه, hoping to understand what was happening.
Abu Bakr’s response showed the calm faith that had characterized him from the early days of Islam. He echoed the same words of trust.
عن عمر بن الخطاب رضي الله عنه قال: فأتيت أبا بكر فقلت: يا أبا بكر، أليس هذا نبي الله حقاً؟ قال: بلى. قلت: ألسنا على الحق وهم على الباطل؟ قال: بلى. قلت: فلم نعطي الدنية في ديننا؟ فقال: يا عمر، إنه رسول الله، وليس يعصي ربه، وهو ناصره، فاستمسك بغرزه، فوالله إنه على الحق.
‘Umar ibn al Khattab said: I went to Abu Bakr and said: “O Abu Bakr, is this not truly the Prophet of Allah?” He said: “Yes.” I said: “Are we not upon the truth and they upon falsehood?” He said: “Yes.” I said: “Then why do we accept humiliation in our religion?” He said: “O ‘Umar, he is the Messenger of Allah, and he does not disobey his Lord, and He will help him. So hold fast to his stirrup, for by Allah, he is upon the truth.”
(Sahih al Bukhari)
Years later, when the fruits of Hudaybiyyah became clear, ‘Umar felt regret for how strongly he had spoken that day. He considered his questions excusable but still felt that they had gone too far in tone, given the status of the Messenger ﷺ.
قال عمر: فعملت لذلك أعمالاً.
‘Umar said: “Because of that (what I said on the day of Hudaybiyyah) I performed many deeds,”
meaning to seek Allah’s forgiveness.
(Paraphrased from Sahih al Bukhari and other narrations)
This shows the depth of the Companions’ sensitivity. Even when their intention was sincere, they feared that any word that might appear as questioning the Messenger ﷺ deserved repentance. Their reaction teaches later generations how carefully they guarded their hearts and tongues regarding the Prophet ﷺ.
The Response of Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه
In contrast to the turmoil felt by ‘Umar and others, Abu Bakr’s response at Hudaybiyyah was marked by steady serenity. He saw the same outward “loss,” felt the same disappointment of being turned back from the Ka‘bah, but his trust in the Prophet ﷺ was unshaken.
His famous words, “He is the Messenger of Allah, and he does not disobey his Lord,” summarized the correct posture of the believer when facing decisions made by the Prophet ﷺ based on revelation. Abu Bakr reminded ‘Umar, and through him the rest of the ummah, that victory is not measured only by immediate outcomes, but by obedience to Allah and His Messenger.
قال الله تعالى:
> فَلَا وَرَبِّكَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّىٰ يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لَا يَجِدُوا۟ فِىٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًۭا مِّمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا۟ تَسْلِيمًۭا
“But no, by your Lord, they will not truly believe until they make you, [O Muhammad], judge in all disputes between them, then find in themselves no discomfort from what you have decided, and submit in full submission.”
(Quran 4:65)
Abu Bakr embodied this verse at Hudaybiyyah. He had no inner resistance to what the Prophet ﷺ decided. He did not ask for explanations. He trusted both the messenger and the Lord who sent him. The rest of the Companions gradually moved from confusion to this same state of acceptance as the wisdom of the treaty unfolded.
The reaction of Abu Bakr at Hudaybiyyah is a model: complete trust in the Prophet ﷺ before seeing any worldly benefits of a command.
The Pain of Obedience and the Test of Submission
After the treaty was signed, the Prophet ﷺ instructed his Companions to exit ihram, slaughter their sacrificial animals, and shave or shorten their hair, even though they had not entered Makkah or performed ‘umrah. Normally, these acts marked the joyful completion of worship. At Hudaybiyyah they felt like symbols of unfulfilled hopes.
The Companions were so deeply affected that at first, they did not move to obey. It was not stubbornness. Their hearts were heavy, and they were still processing the shock. The Prophet ﷺ repeated his instruction three times, yet many remained in their places, hoping perhaps that something would change.
Then the Prophet ﷺ entered upon his wife, Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها, and shared what he was seeing from the Companions. With great wisdom she advised him to go out, slaughter his animal, and shave his head without saying another word. She knew the hearts of the believers. When they saw the Prophet ﷺ complete the rites, they would, despite their pain, follow him.
This is exactly what happened. When the Companions saw the Prophet ﷺ slaughtering and shaving, they rushed to do the same. The narrations describe that they did it with such intensity that some almost hurt one another in their eagerness to obey now that the reality was clear.
قال ابن إسحاق: فقام رسول الله ﷺ فدخل على أم سلمة، فذكر لها ما لقي من الناس، فقالت: يا رسول الله، أتحب ذلك؟ اخرج ثم لا تكلم أحداً منهم كلمة حتى تنحر بدنك، وتدعو حالقك فيحلقك. ففعل، فلما رأى الناس ذلك قاموا، فنحروا، وجعل بعضهم يحلق بعضاً، حتى كاد بعضهم يقتل بعضاً غماً.
Ibn Ishaq reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ went in to Umm Salamah and mentioned to her what he had encountered from the people. She said: “O Messenger of Allah, do you want that? Go out, then do not speak a word to any of them until you slaughter your sacrificial animal and call your barber to shave your head.” So he did so. When the people saw that, they rose, slaughtered (their animals), and some of them began shaving the others until some of them almost killed others due to grief.
(Reported in Seerah works; its meanings are supported by authentic narrations)
This incident shows the depth of their submission. Even while their hearts were full of grief, once the practical Sunnah was manifested, they followed it completely. Their reaction moved from hesitation to total obedience, even when obedience was emotionally painful.
Transformation after Revelation of Surah al Fath
The turning point in the Companions’ understanding came when Allah revealed Surah al Fath on the way back from Hudaybiyyah. The very event that had felt like defeat was described by Allah as a manifest victory.
إِنَّا فَتَحْنَا لَكَ فَتْحًۭا مُّبِينًۭا
“Indeed, We have granted you a clear victory.”
(Quran 48:1)
When this surah was revealed, the Prophet ﷺ recited it to his Companions. Their perception of Hudaybiyyah began to change. If Allah, who knows the unseen and the future, called this treaty a clear victory, then their earlier feelings of humiliation had been based on limited human sight.
The rest of the surah further honored the Companions of Hudaybiyyah, describing the pledge that they had made under the tree, which occurred shortly before the treaty.
لَّقَدْ رَضِىَ ٱللَّهُ عَنِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ إِذْ يُبَايِعُونَكَ تَحْتَ ٱلشَّجَرَةِ فَعَلِمَ مَا فِى قُلُوبِهِمْ فَأَنزَلَ ٱلسَّكِينَةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَثَـٰبَهُمْ فَتْحًۭا قَرِيبًۭا
“Certainly Allah was pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you under the tree. He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down tranquility upon them and rewarded them with a near victory.”
(Quran 48:18)
This verse assured them that Allah had looked into their hearts on that very journey and was pleased with what He found. Even their confusion and sorrow did not diminish their rank, because beneath it was sincerity, loyalty, and readiness to obey.
The Companions who witnessed Hudaybiyyah came to be known as “ahl al bay‘ah,” the people of the pledge under the tree. Their participation became a badge of honor. The same event that had first broken their hearts later filled them with gratitude and certainty.
Allah Himself named Hudaybiyyah a “clear victory” and declared His pleasure with the believers who were present, proving that temporary feelings of defeat do not define the real state of a believer in Allah’s sight.
Lasting Attitude of the Companions toward Hudaybiyyah
As time passed and the outcomes of Hudaybiyyah appeared, the Companions’ view of the treaty became one of deep appreciation. Doors to da‘wah opened, tribes entered Islam, and within two years the balance of power shifted in favor of the Muslims. Many later conquests and the eventual peaceful conquest of Makkah traced back to this “victory in the form of a truce.”
Those who had once felt pain about its terms came to see the treaty as a major turning point in the history of Islam. ‘Umar himself, when he saw the fruits of Hudaybiyyah, recognized that the Prophet ﷺ had followed a command whose wisdom they had not yet known. His earlier questions only increased his humility and carefulness in future events.
In later years, the Companions narrated the incident to the next generation without hiding their own struggles. They did not edit out their confusion or pain, because those moments were part of how Allah taught them and, through them, taught the ummah to trust divine wisdom beyond immediate appearances.
Their final reaction to Hudaybiyyah, therefore, combined three things. First, love and admiration for the Prophet ﷺ, who showed patience, wisdom, and commitment to his promises. Second, gratitude to Allah for revealing Surah al Fath, which comforted their hearts and honored their pledge. Third, a firm belief that every command tied to revelation contains victory, even if the road to that victory passes through moments of confusion and loss.
In this way, the Companions’ reactions to Hudaybiyyah, from initial shock to eventual understanding, became a living lesson in submission, trust, and the growth of faith under the guidance of the Messenger ﷺ.