Treaty of Hodaibiya

After the battles of Badr, Ohud and Khandaq the infidels of Makka avoided any further military ventures. The Prophet decided to perform Umra in the 6th year of Hijra (628) AD.

As the Muslims approached Makka, the infidels of Makka did not like this and stopped the Muslims entering Makka. Seeing them bent on aggression, the Messenger of Allah agreed to a treaty with the Makkans. It was wisely drafted by Imam Ali (A.S.), the terms outwardly looked humiliating to Muslims that if a Muslim was taken captive by the infidels he will not be returned but if an infidel comes to the hands of the Muslims he will be released immediately.

When the Holy Prophet signed the treaty, Umar Ibne Khattab disliked it so much that he uttered the words," I have never doubted about the Prophethood of Hadhrat Muhammad (saw) this much as I did today." He questioned the Holy Prophet about this humiliating agreement to which the Holy Prophet replied, "I am the Messenger of Allah and all my acts are on the orders from Allah."

But it is evident that this deviation from the path of the Holy Prophet was later to become an acceptable norm rather then an off the cuff event. Later you will see how this misconceived habit of contradicting the infallible Holy Prophet of Islam created divisions within the religion itself. Those who followed Ali as the follower of the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet became the partisan of Ali, others followed Umar ibn Khattab.

(see Saheeh Bukhari, Kitab-al-Kholafa)