Pledges of Aqaba
When our Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) went to the city of Taif to preach about Islam, the people of Taif persecuted them and didn’t give them a positive response. Even their response was so harsh and fierce against the teachings of Islam. After returning from Taif, our Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) intended to preach the pilgrimages of hajj who were coming from Medina. In the 11th year of Prophethood, he started to preach the pilgrimages of Medina just with 6 people the first year. Hazrat Abuza Ghaffari was also one of them. these people were influential people from Medina. Next year he preached 12 more people about Islam.
These people accepted Islam and also pledged that they will accept only ALLAH to worship and will not commit any crime, robbery or adultery. Besides that, they also promised that they will not bury any newborn daughter. They further promised that they will never ever disobey the ALLAH Almighty and his Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). This pledge is called the first pledge of Aqaba. After this pledge, Hazrat Musab bin Umair was sent as a teacher to Medina. He taught the people of Medina about the basic concepts of Islam and also gave practical guidance to them. He also preached the other tribes in the areas nearby for the propagation of Islam.
The result of these activities appeared in the year of 13th Prophethood when 73 men and 2 women came at the same place, Aqaba. They all had already embraced Islam but gathered at the same place, Aqaba for the pledge. Many of them had strong influential status as they were leaders of different tribes from Medina. They expressed their feelings to see the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) among them. At this moment, the uncle of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), Hazrat Abbas warned that it is not an easy task. it will be very difficult for them to defend the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) against the enemies. They can take him along with them only if they can defend him against the enemies and the people of Mecca. The pilgrims didn’t agree to leave the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in Mecca and insisted to take him along with them. they agreed to defend him at any cost and he will not be disobeyed in Medina. They also ensured that they will enjoin good and forbid evil. It was also ensured that Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) will be the leader in Medina. At this time, some of the people from Medina gave the suggestion to fight against the people of Mecca but our Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) refused this idea.
These people accepted Islam and also pledged that they will accept only ALLAH to worship and will not commit any crime, robbery or adultery. Besides that, they also promised that they will not bury any newborn daughter. They further promised that they will never ever disobey the ALLAH Almighty and his Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). This pledge is called the first pledge of Aqaba. After this pledge, Hazrat Musab bin Umair was sent as a teacher to Medina. He taught the people of Medina about the basic concepts of Islam and also gave practical guidance to them. He also preached the other tribes in the areas nearby for the propagation of Islam.
The result of these activities appeared in the year of 13th Prophethood when 73 men and 2 women came at the same place, Aqaba. They all had already embraced Islam but gathered at the same place, Aqaba for the pledge. Many of them had strong influential status as they were leaders of different tribes from Medina. They expressed their feelings to see the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) among them. At this moment, the uncle of our Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), Hazrat Abbas warned that it is not an easy task. it will be very difficult for them to defend the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) against the enemies. They can take him along with them only if they can defend him against the enemies and the people of Mecca. The pilgrims didn’t agree to leave the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) in Mecca and insisted to take him along with them. they agreed to defend him at any cost and he will not be disobeyed in Medina. They also ensured that they will enjoin good and forbid evil. It was also ensured that Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) will be the leader in Medina. At this time, some of the people from Medina gave the suggestion to fight against the people of Mecca but our Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) refused this idea.