THE SECOND PLEDGE AT AL-AQABA

The people of Yathrib pledged their allegiance to the Prophet Muhammad for which they were promised Paradise in return.

Then Musab ibn Umayr returned to Makkah accompanied by 70 men and 2 women in order to perform the pilgrimage. After the completion of the rites of Hajj, they took the oath of allegiance known as the ‘Second Pledge’. This incident has been described in detail in the biographies of the Prophet.

In the last stage, during the talks, one person named Abbas ibn Ubada, said to them, “Do you know for what you are taking this pledge? This is a declaration of war between the Arabs and non-Arabs (ajam).” They replied, “O Messenger of God, if we fulfill the pledge what is in store for us?” The Prophet replied, ‘Paradise.’ They said, “Hold out your hand,” then the Prophet held out his hand and they pledged their allegiance. (Sirat Ibn Hisham, Vol. 1, p. 446)