“(O Prophet), surely We have granted you a clear victory so that Allah may forgive you your shortcomings, whether earlier or later, and may complete His favours upon you, and guide you to the Straight Way, and that Allah may bestow upon you a mighty help. He it is Who bestowed inner peace on the hearts of the believers so that they may grow yet more firm in their faith. To Allah belong the legions of the heavens and the earth; Allah is All-Knowing, Most Wise.”
(Al-Qur’ān – 48:1-4)
When the believers were given the tiding of victory after the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, they were left wandering how that treaty could be called a “victory”. This because by virtue of the treaty what the unbelievers had asked for had been granted to them. However, it soon became apparent that what could have been superficially perceived as capitulation was indeed nothing but victory for the believers.
If we bear it in mind, God graciously overlooked the shortcomings and opened the door to victory at Hudaibiyah which would have been impossible merely by dint of the Muslims’ own efforts.
Sakinah (inner peace) denotes a person’s mental composure and equanimity. At Hudaibiyah the Muslims were confronted with many provocations, but they maintained restraint and patience. They also displayed total faith in the Prophet’s leadership. That they were able to overcome the provocations and behave with remarkable maturity represents a great favour that God had bestowed on them, for even the slightest mistake on this occasion would have caused much harm to the Islamic cause.