Understanding the Aqabah Agreement

MAKKAH – One of the significant events during the month of Dhu al-Hijjah in Prophet Muhammad’s lifetime was the Aqabah Agreement. The agreement was made to assist Prophet Muhammad SAW in spreading Islam in Yathrib (Medina).

The agreement coincided with the Prophet’s Hijrah and was named Aqabah as it took place in a region called Aqabah, located approximately 5 kilometres from Mecca. At the time, the people of Medina needed a suitable leader to unite the Aws and Khazraj tribes.

“The Aqabah Agreement began in the 11th year of prophethood when the Prophet SAW met six men from the Khazraj tribe of Yathrib who came to Mecca to perform Hajj,” quoted from Ahmad Sugiri’s book, Sejarah Kebudayaan Islam Periode Klasik.

The six individuals were As’ad bin Zurara, Auf bin Haritha (Ibn Afra’), Raafi’ bin Malik bin Ajlan, Quthah bin Amir bin Hadidah, Uqbah bin Amir, and Jabir bin Adullah bin Riab. They attended the meeting at Aqabah Hill with Prophet Muhammad SAW.

According to a Ministry of Religious Affairs (Kemenag) book titled Sejarah Kebudayaan Islam, the meeting resulted in six points:

First, affirming not to associate partners with Allah SWT.

Second, pledging loyalty to Prophet Muhammad SAW.

Third, willingness to sacrifice wealth and life.

Fourth, readiness to spread the teachings of Islam.

Fifth, committing to not commit murder.

Sixth, pledging to avoid deceit and falsehood.

Prophet Muhammad SAW’s decision to migrate to Medina was a command from Allah SWT.

As stated in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 218, Allah SWT says:

اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَالَّذِيْنَ هَاجَرُوْا وَجَاهَدُوْا فِيْ سَبِيْلِ اللّٰهِ ۙ اُولٰۤىِٕكَ يَرْجُوْنَ رَحْمَتَ اللّٰهِ ۗوَاللّٰهُ غَفُوْرٌ رَّحِيْمٌ

Arabic transliteration: Innal-lażīna āmanū wal-lażīna hājarū wa jāhadū fī sabīlillāh(i), ulā’ika yarjūna raḥmatallāh(i), wallāhu gafūrur raḥīm(un).

Meaning: “Those who believe, migrate, and strive in the cause of Allah, they hope for Allah’s mercy. Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.”