Seerah - The Life of the Prophet (pbuh)

The Prophet r set out for Makkah in the month of Dhul-Qa`dah with
around one and a half thousand Muslims with the intention of
performing `Umrah. The Muslims were told that all weapons were to
be left behind in Mad|nah. A sheathed sword was the only exception,
as it was a common article of travel in those days.
At a place called Dhul-*ulayfah, he instructed all to don their I#r\ms
(pilgrimage garments); this was to make their intentions known.
The Prophet r then advanced towards Makkah. En route he was
informed that the route to Makkah had been blocked. On hearing this,
he changed route and camped at a place called *udaybiyah.
The Quraysh sent a tribal chief by the name of Budayl to enquire of the
Prophet’s r intentions. The Prophet r explained that their intention
was peaceful and not to fight. Budayl passed the message on.
The Quraysh were however still reluctant to allow them entry.
Negotiations between the Prophet r and the Makkans reached
nowhere. The Prophet r eventually decided to send `Uthm\n t on
his behalf to talk to the Quraysh leaders. `Uthm\n t was chosen
because he belonged to the most powerful family in Makkah and so
none would dare harm him.
`Uthman t arrived in Makkah and visited the nobles, informing them
of the Prophet’s r intentions; he made it clear that the Prophet r had
come solely to perform `Umrah and to worship in the sacred *aram
and had no intention of fighting whatsoever. Despite this, the Makkans
did not change their position. They, however, gave `Uthm\n t
permission to perform `Umrah. `Uthm\n t declined by saying,
“How could I when the Messenger of All\h is denied it?”
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