The Pledge of Aqaba
The pledge of al-‘Aqabah in the days of Tashriq
We are still in the blessed days of Eid al-Adha. These days are known as the Days of Tashriq. When we think about Eid al-Adha, we naturally think about the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), the rites of Hajj, and the remembrance of Allah. Yet many people are unaware that one of the most significant events in the Seerah also took place during these very days: the Second Pledge of al-‘Aqabah.
The pledge became known as the Pledge of al-‘Aqabah because it took place at al-‘Aqabah, a secluded mountain pass in Mina near Makkah. The location was carefully chosen for secrecy, hidden amongst the valleys and pathways of Mina, away from the eyes of Quraysh during the Hajj season.
The story of al-‘Aqabah is also the story of the people of Madinah. The people of Madinah became known for their truthfulness, loyalty, sacrifice, courage and generosity. These qualities would soon transform the course of Islamic history.
In the twelfth year of Prophethood (621 CE), the First Pledge of al-‘Aqabah took place. Twelve prominent men from the tribes of Aws and Khazraj accepted Islam and pledged allegiance to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). One year later, in the thirteenth year of Prophethood (622 CE), seventy-three men and two women travelled from Yathrib, later known as Madinah, to meet the Prophet (peace be upon him) once again.
The meeting took place during the Days of Tashriq, in days just like these. The delegation gathered secretly at al-‘Aqabah in the middle of the night. They knew that if Quraysh discovered the meeting, there could be serious consequences. Yet their desire to support the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was greater than their fear.
Ka‘b ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) described the scene:
“We set out for Hajj and arranged to meet the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) at al-‘Aqabah during the middle days of Tashriq. We slept among our people in their camps until a third of the night had passed. Then we quietly slipped away from our camps, moving stealthily, until we gathered at the valley near al-‘Aqabah. We were seventy-three men and two women.”
At the end of the night, they waited with anticipation. They knew that something great was about to happen—something that would change their lives and the future of the Ummah. They were waiting to meet the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), to give him their pledge, and to hear directly from him what would be required of them.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) did not come alone. He came with his uncle al-‘Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib. Although al-‘Abbas had not yet embraced Islam publicly, he cared deeply for the safety of his nephew and wanted to ensure that those inviting him to Madinah fully understood the responsibility they were undertaking.
Al-‘Abbas addressed the delegation and reminded them that Muhammad (peace be upon him) still enjoyed protection amongst his people in Makkah. If they were inviting him to leave that protection and come to Madinah, they had to be prepared to defend him and stand by him no matter what challenges lay ahead. If they thought they might abandon him after bringing him to their city, then they should say so now.
It is noteworthy that al-‘Abbas addressed them by saying, “O people of Khazraj,” even though members of both Aws and Khazraj were present. The Arabs would often refer to all the Ansar collectively as Khazraj, even when both tribes were included. In reality, the delegation represented both Aws and Khazraj, whose long history of conflict had been replaced by unity through Islam.
After hearing al-‘Abbas, the delegation replied, “We have heard what you have said. Speak, O Messenger of Allah, and take for yourself and for your Lord whatever pledge you wish.”
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) then spoke. He recited the Qur’an, called them to Allah, encouraged them towards Islam, and explained the commitment that would be required of them.
He asked them to pledge that they would protect him as they protected their own wives and children.
At that moment, al-Bara ibn Ma‘rur took the Prophet’s hand and declared:
“By the One who sent you with the truth as a Prophet, we shall protect you just as we protect our own families.”
His words reflected the spirit of the Ansar. They were not making a temporary alliance or a political agreement. They were committing themselves completely to the protection of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and the message he carried.
Then Abu al-Haytham ibn al-Tayyihan asked a remarkable question. He said:
“O Messenger of Allah, there are ties between us and certain people, meaning the Jews, which we will have to sever. If we do that and Allah grants you victory, might you then return to your people and leave us?”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) smiled and reassured them with words that strengthened their hearts:
“I am from you and you are from me. I will fight those whom you fight and make peace with those with whom you make peace.”
These words demonstrated the depth of the bond that was being formed that night.
In another narration, Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that they asked:
“O Messenger of Allah, upon what shall we pledge allegiance to you?”
He replied:
“Upon hearing and obeying in times of eagerness and reluctance; upon spending in hardship and ease; upon speaking for Allah without fearing the blame of any critic; and upon supporting and protecting me when I come to you as you protect yourselves, your wives and your children.”
Then he gave them the greatest promise imaginable:
“And for you is Paradise.”
This was not a pledge based on worldly gain. It was a pledge built upon faith, sacrifice and certainty in the promise of Allah.
After the pledge was completed, the Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed them to appoint twelve representatives from among themselves. Nine were chosen from Khazraj and three from Aws. These representatives would help organise and guide their communities and prepare the way for what was to come.
Among those who attended the pledge were some of the greatest figures of the Ansar, including As‘ad ibn Zurarah, Ka‘b ibn Malik, Sa‘d ibn Mu‘adh, Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubadah, al-Bara ibn Ma‘rur, ‘Abdullah ibn Rawahah, Abu al-Haytham ibn al-Tayyihan, Sa‘d ibn al-Rabi‘, ‘Ubadah ibn al-Samit, Rifa‘ah ibn ‘Abd al-Mundhir and Usayd ibn Hudayr (may Allah be pleased with them all).
Two remarkable women were also present: Nusaybah bint Ka‘b and Asma bint ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with them both). Their participation in this historic event reminds us that Muslim women also played an important role in supporting the da‘wah and establishing the Muslim community in Madinah. Nusaybah bint Ka‘b would later become famous for her courage at the Battle of Uhud, where she defended the Prophet (peace be upon him) with extraordinary bravery.
The Second Pledge of al-‘Aqabah was one of the most important turning points in Islamic history. It laid the foundations for the Hijrah and prepared the way for the establishment of the first Muslim community and state in Madinah.
More importantly, it revealed the extraordinary character of the people of Madinah. They were people of truthfulness, loyalty, sacrifice, courage and generosity. They were willing to risk their safety, their wealth and even their lives for the sake of Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him).
As we reflect during these Days of Tashriq, we should remember that these blessed days are connected not only to the sacrifice of Ibrahim (peace be upon him), but also to the sacrifice of the Ansar. On those nights at al-‘Aqabah, seventy-three men and two women pledged themselves to the cause of Islam, and through their sincerity Allah changed the course of history.
Based on the Khutbah of Shaykh Haytham Tamim on 29th May 2026