Outside the boundaries of the Haram, in the northwest of Mecca, located about 24 km from the Holy Mosque, is a place now known as Shumaysi. The Pledge of Ridwan, the Hudaybiyyah Treaty, was conducted here. It was six years after the Hijrah (migration). The Muhajirun (emigrants) had longed for their homeland, their families remaining in Mecca, and the visit to the Kaaba. As mentioned in verse 28 of Surah Al-Fath, before setting out for the journey, the Prophet received a revelation that he and his companions would enter Mecca safely and perform Umrah. In the 6th year after Hijrah, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) arrived with around 1,400 companions at the well of Hudaybiyyah (also known as Shumaysi) to perform Umrah. However, the Quraysh sent cavalry to prevent their entry into Mecca. The Prophet (SAW) initially sent a group of his companions to negotiate with the Quraysh, but when this failed, he sent Uthman ibn Affan to negotiate. Uthman was detained, which led to rumors of his martyrdom. In response, the Prophet called his companions to take a pledge (bay’ah) under the tree of Ridwan, swearing to fight to the end for the truth. This pledge is known as the “Pledge of Ridwan” and is mentioned in the Quran. The tree under which the pledge was taken is referred to as “the tree of Ridwan.” When the Quraysh heard of the Muslims’ determination, they decided to make peace. Uthman returned safely. The Quraysh proposed a peace agreement, and the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was signed, which initially seemed unfavorable to the Muslims but turned out to be a victory in the long term. Sacrifices were offered, and the Muslims returned without performing Umrah. The Prophet’s dream was realized on the 7th of Dhul-Qadah (March 629) the following year, when the Umrah was performed, known as “Umrat al-Qada.” The location of the peace treaty, where the Pledge of Ridwan was taken, is believed to be east of the place called Shumaysi, near a graveyard, arounda 1 km from there. Some researchers suggest that the term “Taht ash-Shajarah” (under the tree) in the Quran refers to the area beneath the trees near the mentioned graveyard. There is a monument indicating the boundary of the Haram approximately 2.5 km east of Shumaysi.
