A Turning Point in Islamic History The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah
It is possible to say that the Peace Treaty of Hudaybiyyah signed between Muslims and Meccan polytheists in 6 AH/628 AD was a turning point in Islamic history. The reason why this treaty was a turning point is because of its short-term and long-term consequences. For example, with the signing of this treaty, the Quraysh polytheists, who were the leaders of the opponents of Islam, recognized Muslims, whom they had not previously considered interlocutors, as a religious-political group for the first time. Likewise, with this treaty, the peaceful environment that Islam envisioned and Prophet Muhammad made great efforts to establish was created. With this peaceful environment, people or groups of different beliefs and cultures met and integrated. This also brought about a change in the misinformation and perception about Islam and the Prophet, and as a result, tens of thousands of people became Muslims. In addition, during the time when peace was in effect, Muslims enjoyed security of life and property, and had the opportunity to freely practice and spread their faith. Perhaps more importantly, thanks to the peaceful environment provided by the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, Prophet Muhammad conquered Khaybar, which was a great danger for Muslims – where the Jews lived. He sent letters of invitation to Islam to a large number of heads of state, governors, tribal leaders and clergymen, whose number we have not yet determined, and in a way, ensured that Islam spread outside the Arabian Peninsula for the first time. Less than two years after the treaty, he conquered Mecca, which was the heart of the Peninsula. With the Year of Delegations that took place after the conquest of Mecca, Islam came to dominate the entire Arabian Peninsula. All these and similar developments are some of the results of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, which the Quran describes as a clear victory and Islamic historians accept as a turning point.
Keywords: Hudaybiyyah, Treaty, Peace, Prophet Muhammad, Preaching