THE BROADER WISDOM
OF HADITH

Asma, the daughter of the first caliph of Islam, Abu Bakr, said: My (foster) mother came to visit me in Madinah. At that time, she was still a non-Muslim and was allied with the Quraysh. I asked, “O Prophet of Islam, my non-Muslim mother has come to me and she wants something from me. Should I give her something as an act of maintaining family ties?” The Prophet replied, “Yes, give to her.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 3183; Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1003)

This hadith, at first glance, relates to maintaining good relations with one’s parents, even if they are non-believers. In hadith compilations, it is typically placed under chapters concerning kindness to parents. However, to fully understand any hadith, it is not enough to rely on the chapter heading alone; one must also reflect deeply on the content of the hadith. Only then can its complete meaning be understood.

This hadith conveys more than just the importance of fulfilling parental rights. It also offers insight into the historical context—it took place during the period of peace established between the Quraysh and the Muslims, known in Islamic history as the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. As a result of this treaty, non-Muslims from Makkah began to visit Madinah, and Muslims from Madinah began to visit Makkah.

It is common sense that such interactions involved more than just family visits. They also led to discussions resembling interfaith dialogue, which helped clear many misunderstandings between them and made the reality evident to all parties.

In this way, the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah marked a turning point—shifting the landscape from confrontation to conversation. Regions once defined by conflict now resonated with reason and dialogue. And when such a shift occurs, the spread of an idea becomes as inevitable as sunlight breaking through the darkness.