ACCEPTING THE STATUS QUO

Whenever a controversy arises between two people or two groups, a practical working arrangement ultimately becomes established. An attempt to change this status quo in most cases results in futility or in all-out strife. What normally happens is that the status quo continues. If not, mutual retaliation results in further losses. In this pointless engagement, precious opportunities are also wasted.

In such a controversial matter, the Prophet’s sunnah is to accept the status quo. The great benefit of this status-quoism is that it gives one the respite to consolidate one’s energies. By removing oneself from the scene of controversy, one may strengthen oneself so greatly that a time will come when ultimately the balance of power will change without any major confrontation.

The Prophet of Islam adopted this wise course on the occasion of the drawing up of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. When the Makkans heard that their opponents had gathered at Hudaybiyyah, they too reached there to stop the Muslims from going any further. The Prophet at this juncture was on his way to Makkah to perform the rite of Umrah (minor pilgrimage). Thus, a situation of deadlock came to be created at Hudaybiyyah. The Prophet did not resort to breaking this deadlock in order to move ahead. Instead, he withdrew and returned to Madinah after signing the Hudaybiyyah Peace Treaty on terms dictated entirely by the Quraysh.

It amounted to accepting the status quo already established between the Prophet and the other party. This wisdom gave the Prophet an opportunity for further consolidation, which became a reality within a period of a mere two years. It was at that stage that the Prophet’s victorious and peaceful entry into Makkah became a possibility.