Author: Muhammad Dawood Yusufi Eshaqzahi
Islam and Democracy (Part 35)
The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and Consultation
Imam al-Bukhari, in his account of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, mentions the consultation of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) with his Companions. When the Prophet (PBUH) sent a man from the Khuzaah tribe to gather information and bring news of the Quraysh, he returned and said that the Quraysh had mobilized an army against them, gathered forces from all the tribes, and intended to fight them and prevent them from entering Makkah.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “O people, what is your opinion? Do you suggest that we attack their women and children because they have prevented us from visiting the House of Allah (SWT)?”
Abu Bakr (RA) said, “O Messenger of Allah! You left Madinah intending to visit the House of Allah. We do not intend to kill or fight anyone; we will proceed toward them, and if anyone prevents us, we will fight him.” [1]
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Proceed in the name of Allah.”
Shura in Light of the Hadiths
Abu Hurairah (RA) used to say, “مَا رَأَيْتُ أَحَدًا قَطُّ كَانَ أَكْثَرَ مَشُورَةً لِأَصْحَابِهِ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم.” Translation: “I have never seen anyone who consulted his companions more than the Messenger of Allah (PBUH).” [2]
Ali (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “لَوْ كُنْتُ مُؤَمِّرًا أَحَدًا دُونَ مَشُورَةِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ، لَأَمَرْتُ ابْنَ أُمِّ عَبْدٍ.” Translation: “If I were to appoint someone as a leader without consulting the believers, I would appoint Ibn Umm Abd (Abdullah ibn Masoud).” [3]
Ibn Ghanm al-Ashari narrated: «أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ لِأَبِي بَكْرٍ، وَعُمَرَ، لَوِ اجْتَمَعْتُمَا فِي مَشُورَةٍ مَا خَالَفْتُكُمَا.» Translation: “The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said to Abu Bakr and Umar: ‘If the two of you agree upon an opinion through consultation, I would not oppose you.’” [4]
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “إِذَا كَانَ أُمَرَاؤُكُمْ خِيَارَكُمْ وَأَغْنِيَاؤُكُمْ سُمَحَاءَكُمْ وَأُمُورُكُمْ شُورَى بَيْنَكُمْ فَظَهْرُ الْأَرْضِ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ مِنْ بَطْنِهَا وَإِذَا كَانَ أُمَرَاؤُكُمْ شِرَارَكُمْ وَأَغْنِيَاؤُكُمْ بُخَلَاءَكُمْ وَأُمُورُكُمْ إِلَى نِسَائِكُمْ فَبَطْنُ الْأَرْضِ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ مِنْ ظَهْرِهَا.” Translation: “When your rulers are the best among you, your wealthy are generous, and your affairs are conducted through consultation among you, then the surface of the earth is better for you than its interior. But when your rulers are the worst among you, your wealthy are stingy, and your affairs are entrusted to your women, then the interior of the earth is better for you than its surface.” [5]
During his blessed life, the Prophet (PBUH) consulted his Companions on various matters and on numerous occasions. Through his statement, «أشيروا علي أيها الناس,” “O people, advise me,” he invited them to share their views regarding the matters under consideration.
It is narrated from Anas and Ibn Umar (RA) that in the early days after the Hijrah, the people of Madinah determined the times of prayer according to their own estimation, and the Adhan had not yet been established in a fixed form. One day, the matter was discussed. Some suggested a trumpet, as used by the Jews, while others suggested a bell, as used by the Christians. Umar (RA), however, suggested that someone should be appointed to call the people to prayer with his voice. The matter was decided on the basis of this consultation, and the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) chose Bilal (RA) to carry out this responsibility. [6]
Bilal (RA) would also call out to the people when the congregational prayer was about to begin: «الصلاة جامعة» Translation: “O people, the congregational prayer is about to begin.”
Later, Abdullah ibn Zayd (RA) saw and heard the words of the Adhan that are commonly used today in a dream. He then presented those words to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), who approved them and ordered that the Adhan be given according to the words seen in the dream. Revelation subsequently came confirming it.
Allamah Ibn Hajar (RA) said, “مَبْدَأُ الْأَذَانِ كَانَ عَنْ مَشُورَةٍ أَوْقَعَهَا النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بَيْنَ أَصْحَابِهِ حَتَّى اسْتَقَرَّ عَلَى رُؤْيَا بَعْضِهِمْ وَفِيهِ مَشْرُوعِيَّةُ التَّشَاوُرِ فِي الْأُمُورِ الْمُهِمَّةِ.” Translation: “The origin of the Adhan was based on consultation initiated by the Prophet (PBUH) among his Companions, until it was settled on the basis of the vision of one of them. This demonstrates the legitimacy of consultation in important matters.” [7]
Shura and the Great Battle of Badr
«حدثنا أبو بكر بن أبي شيبة حدثنا عفان حدثنا حماد بن سلمة عن ثابت عن أنس أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم شاور حين بلغه إقبال أبي سفيان. قال: فتكلم أبو بكر فأعرض عنه ثم تكلم عمر فأعرض عنه ثم تكلم عمر فأعرض عنه فقام سعد بن عبادة فقال: إيانا تريد يا رسول الله؟ والذي نفسي بيده لو أمرتنا أن نخوض البحر لأخضناها ولو أمرتنا أن نضرب أكبادها إلى برك الغماد لفعلنا قال فندب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم الناس فانطلقوا حتى نزلوا بدرا ووردت عليهم روايا قريش وفيهم غلام أسود لبني الأحجاج فأخذه فكان أصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يسألونه عن أبي سفيان وأصحابه فيقول: ما لي علم بأبي سفيان ولكن هذا أبو جهل وعتبة وشيبة وأمية بن خلف. فإذا قال ذلك ضربوه فقال: نعم أنا أخبركم هذا أبو سفيان، فإذا تركوه. فسألوه. فقال: ما لي بأبي سفيان علم ولكن هذا أبو جهل وعتبة وشيبة وأمية بن خلف في الناس. فإذا قال هذا أيضا ضربوه ورسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قائم يصلي. فلما رأى ذلك انصرف. قال: والذي نفسي بيده لتضربوه إذا صدقكم وتتركوه إذا كذبكم؟! قال: فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: هذا مصرع فلان ويضع يده على الأرض هاهنا هاهنا. قال: فما ماطه أحدهم عن موضع يد رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم.»
Translation: Anas ibn Malek (RA) narrated that when the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) learned of the approach of Abu Sufyan, he consulted his Companions. Abu Bakr (RA) spoke, but the Prophet did not respond to his statement. Then Umar (RA) spoke, but the Prophet again did not respond. Then Saad ibn Ubadah (RA) stood up and said, “O Messenger of Allah, do you mean us? By Him in whose hand is my soul, if you command us to cross the sea, we will cross it; and if you command us to ride our horses all the way to Bark al-Ghimad, we will do so.” The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) then urged the people onward, and they proceeded until they reached Badr.
When the Quraysh’s water carriers arrived, among them was a young Black man belonging to Banu al-Hajjaj. The Companions of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) questioned him about Abu Sufyan and his companions. He initially said that he knew nothing about Abu Sufyan but identified Abu Jahl, Utbah, Shaybah, and Umayyah ibn Khalaf. Whenever he said this, they struck him. He then said, “Yes, I will tell you about Abu Sufyan,” and they left him alone. When they questioned him again, he gave the same response. Meanwhile, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was standing in prayer. When he saw what was happening, he turned away and said, “By Him in whose hand is my soul, do you strike him when he tells you the truth and leave him when he lies?”
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) then indicated the places where certain men would be killed in the battle, placing his hand on the ground and saying, “Here, here.” The narrator said that none of those men moved away from the places indicated by the hand of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). [8]
Imam al-Nawawi (RA) said, “وَفِيهِ اسْتِشَارَةُ الْأَصْحَابِ وَأَهْلِ الرَّأْيِ وَالْخِبْرَةِ.” Translation: “This demonstrates the practice of consulting the Companions and people of sound judgment and expertise.”
Biographers of the Prophet have recorded the names of those who participated in the consultation at Badr and have provided detailed accounts of their lives.
Consultation Regarding the Prisoners of Badr
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) consulted his Companions concerning the prisoners of Badr and said, “What is your opinion regarding the prisoners? Are you in favor of taking ransom from them or not?” Abu Bakr (RA) suggested that ransom should be taken from the prisoners and that they should be released, whereas Umar (RA) suggested that they should be killed because they were among the leaders and commanders of the disbelievers. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) accepted Abu Bakr’s opinion, took ransom from them, and released them.
Ibn Kathir (RA) narrated this hadith in considerable detail from the Musnad of Ahmad and, explaining its wording, states, «ناس يأخذ بقول أبي بكر رضي الله عنه وناس يأخذ بقول عمر رضي الله عنه.» Translation: “Some of them were released in accordance with the opinion of Abu Bakr (RA) by taking ransom, while others were dealt with according to the opinion of Umar (RA).” [9]
It should be noted, however, that later a verse was revealed confirming the opinion of Umar (RA).
To be continued…
[1] Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Maghazi, vol. 3, p. 1848.
[2] Imam Ahmad, Hadith no. 1919.
[3] Ahmad, Hadith no. 1920.
[4] Imam Ahmad, Hadith no. 1921.
[5] Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith no. 1287.
[6] Sahih al-Bukhari, Bab Bad al-Adhan, Hadith no. 1045.
[7] Fath al-Bari, vol. 2, p. 219.
[9] Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Jihad, chapter on the Battle of Badr.
