Novel: Under the Tree
By: Mumina Al-Jawhari
Chapter One: The Detour
The bus driver turned left, leaving the new road from Jeddah to Mecca, and entered a bend that led him to the old road.
The tour guide announced: “We are now heading to Al-Shumaisi.”
Some passengers stirred, and a man asked: “What is Al-Shumaisi? Don’t you see we are in Ihram, eager to go to Mecca?”
The guide smiled and replied: “I know, pilgrim. But the rest of the group is delayed at the airport, so we’ll use this time to introduce you to a place of great significance—where the Prophet ﷺ once stayed. It was a pivotal moment in his biography: Al-Hudaybiyah.”
I thought to myself: “Subhan Allah! Fourteen centuries ago, the noble Companions left Medina for Umrah, their souls yearning for the Sacred House. Then, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ diverted them to Al-Hudaybiyah. Little did they know it would become a turning point toward a great victory.”
We arrived at Al-Shumaisi, about twenty-five kilometers from Mecca, where we saw a small mosque called “Al-Shumaisi Mosque—Al-Hudaybiyah.” Behind it stood a wall enclosing remnants of an ancient prayer site with colored stones, and nearby was an old water well.
Our narrator said: “This is the land of Al-Hudaybiyah. Some claim this mosque was built on the site of the Pledge of Ridwan.”
We prayed two short rak’ahs, then the guide invited us to continue our tour, leading us to an ancient well covered with a metal grate and marked by two small pillars.
A man asked: “Is this the well where the Prophet’s ﷺ miracle occurred?”
The guide answered: “That is not confirmed, and Allah knows best!”
We walked a little further and saw a square archaeological pillar with three domes, next to a grand rectangular pillar, and two matching pillars in the distance.
The guide pointed to the domed pillar and said: “This is the old boundary marker of the Haram, about two hundred years old. The other was built during the founding of the Kingdom. These markers signify the end of the Hill (non-sanctified land) and the beginning of the Haram (sanctified land).”
The pilgrims crossed the marker and entered a small prayer area, bowing in prayer and supplication, for rewards are multiplied in the Haram.
As for me, I asked the guide for permission to return to Al-Hudaybiyah, as I was fascinated by sites linked to the Prophet’s ﷺ biography.
I entered Al-Shumaisi Mosque, prayed as much as I wished, then leaned my back against the wall and closed my eyes… Could this truly be the place where Allah bestowed His pleasure and tranquility?
I recited the noble verse: “Certainly was Allah pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down tranquility upon them and rewarded them with an imminent conquest.” (Quran 48:18)
I wondered: Where was the blessed tree?
The question lingered in my mind until I heard the rustling of leaves. I listened intently—astonishingly, it was as if the tree was speaking to me!
But the voice calmed my fear and whispered in my ear: “Do not be afraid. Listen to my story…”
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(Continues in the same plain text format for all chapters.)
Epilogue
The characters are historical:
– The youth: Companion Abu Jandal
– His father: Companion Suhayl ibn Amr, Mecca’s orator, who embraced Islam on the Day of Conquest
– His companion: Companion Abu Basir, Utbah ibn Aseed ibn Jariyah Al-Thaqafi
– His brother: Companion Abdullah ibn Suhayl ibn Amr
– The Prophet’s ﷺ son-in-law: Uthman ibn Affan
– Quraysh’s negotiators: Budayl ibn Warqa, Hulays ibn Alqamah, and Urwah ibn Mas’ud
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Footnote References:
1. Quran 48:18
2. Dhul-Qa’dah, 6 AH
3. Khalid ibn Al-Walid before his conversion
4. Bedouins who refused to join the Umrah
5. The Prophet’s she-camel knelt at Thaniyyat Al-Marar
6. Sahih Al-Bukhari 2731
7. Sahih Muslim 71
8. Ibn Ishaq’s biography
9. The envoy was Uthman ibn Affan
10. “Nunajiz”: to fight
11. Companion Umar ibn Al-Khattab supported the Prophet’s hand
12. Sunan Al-Tirmidhi 327
13. Sahih Al-Bukhari 2731: “Mis’ar Harb” means “spark of war”
14. Sunan Abi Dawood 4653