The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 3 of 4

THE 'UMRATAL-QADA', THE 'FULFILMENTPILGRIMAGE'.
It is (also) known as al-qigi~. Al-Suhayli preferred this. It is otherwise called
'umrat al-qadQa, L'the decision pilgrimage". The first name relates to fulfilment
of what was arranged at d-Hudaybiyya. The second name is taken from the words
of the Almighty, ma al-hurumatu qtsdsun, "Those things forbidden are subject
to retaliation" (siirat a6Baqara; 11, v.194). The third name comes from the
decision he made with them based on his retiring from them that year provided
that he would return the next, and that he would enter Mecca only with his
sword still sheathed and that he not stay longer than three days.
This Cumra is the one referred to in the words of the Almighty in the sacred
siirat al-Fath: "God will fulfil the true visions of His messenger: you will
certainly enter, if God wills it, the holy mosque in safety, with your heads shaved
and cut, not fearing" (siirat al-Fath; XLVIII, v.27). We have examined this
verse sufficiently in our work, Tafsir (Exegesis).
It was this that was promised in the words of the Messenger of God (SAAS).
Responding to Wmar b. al-Khanitb's question, "Did we not say that we would
come to the house and would circumambulate it?" he replied, "Yes indeed;
but did I tell you you would go there this year?" "No," 'Umar replied. "Well,"
he reiterated, "you will go there and you will circumambulate it."
It was also referred to in the verses of 'Abd Allxh b. Rawitha when he entered
Mecca before the Messenger of God (SAAS), the day of the 'umrat al-qada',
saying,
"Unbelievers, clear out of hi path; today we will
fight you about its interpretation
Just as we already fought you about its revelation."
This refers to interpretation of the vision the Messenger of God (SAAS) used to
see that came to pass like the break of day.
Ibn Isbq stated, "When the Messenger of God (SAAS) returned from Khaybar
to Medina, he remained there for Rabi' al-Awwal and Rabic &Thai, Jumada
al-Uwlq J uda d-Akhira, Rajab, Sha'bzn, Ramadm and Shawwd. Meanwhile,
he sent out his various expeditions.
"He then set forth on the Cumrat al-qad~', in Dhii al-Qa'da, that same month
when the polytheists had previously blocked his path; this was in place of the
Cumra they had denied hi."
Ibn Hishm stated, "He placed Wwayf b. al-Adbat al-Duwali in command
of Medina. It is also called the Cumrat al-qi&z$ because they blocked the way of
the Messenger of God (SAAS) in Dhii al-Qa'da, the holy month of 6 AH. The
Messenger of God (SAAS) retaliated against them by entering Mecca in Dhii
al-Qakla, the holy month when they had blocked him, in 7 AH. We have been
informed that Ibn