That year, during the time of Hajj, around four hundred polytheists from Medina, along with seventy-five Muslim converts, two of whom were women, came to Mecca. They had set up camp near Mecca. Sa’d bin Hayseme, Uwaym, and a few other Muslim converts from Medina went straight to the presence of the Rasul, greeted him, and started talking:

“O Rasul of Allah, we have come to visit you to express that we are here to support you, to sacrifice ourselves for your cause, and to be your helpers. Just as we protect our lives against foreign threats, we have also pledged to protect you. We all want to meet and discuss with you. How and where can we arrange a meeting?”

At that moment, our Master was accompanied by his uncle Hadhrat Abbas, who interjected:

“If there are any among your people who have come for Hajj but do not support you, keep it hidden among yourselves until the pilgrims return.”

Afterward, our Master agreed with them to meet in the middle of the Days of Tashreeq, at dawn, near the foot of Aqaba, without disturbing those who were asleep and without waiting for those who were absent.

The Muslims from Medina kept this agreement hidden from their fellow polytheists. However, they confided in Abdullah bin Amr, who they trusted and who was familiar with the situation, inviting him to embrace Islam. Abdullah accepted the invitation and became a Muslim, thus being fortunate to participate in the pledge at Aqaba.

Finally, the awaited time arrived, and the Muslims from Medina, along with our Master, and his uncle Hadhrat Abbas (according to some sources, Hazrat Abbas had already accepted Islam at that time), gathered at Aqaba.

Abbas took the first word:

“O people of Hazraj, know well that Muhammad is more dear to me than my own eyes. Now, know this and inform me as well: if you approve of him, believe in what Allah has revealed through him, and wish to take him back with you, then before I hand him over to you, I request convincing proof in this matter.

You know that Muhammad is one of us! We have protected him from those who oppose his faith and convictions. While he is living among his people, enjoying honor and dignity, he is considering leaving all of that behind and going with you to Yathrib.

If you are truly capable of facing the enmity of all the Arab tribes that may rain arrows upon you, and if you are prepared to engage in warfare, then think and consult among yourselves thoroughly before informing us.

Do not later fall into disagreement.

Will you be able to fulfill the promise you give him and protect him against his enemies? If you can assure us of this and make a commitment, then all is well. However, if you are going to abandon him and expose him to disgrace after leaving Mecca, then abandon this idea from now on. Leave him be, let him continue to live among his people and in his homeland with honor and protection.”

The words of Hadhrat Abbas had an impact on the people of Hazraj. In response, Es’ad bin Zurara sought permission from our Master and gave the following reply:

“O Rasul of Allah, invitations come in various forms. Some invitations are easy, while others are difficult and challenging. We are a community that is rooted in our land, honored, and protected from any transgression. In our land, we would never allow any harm to come to a person who separates from his own people and is handed over to his enemies by his uncles. Moreover, we are such a powerful and mighty community that no one, apart from ourselves, would dare to challenge us or threaten us. Despite the fact that it is a very difficult task, we have still accepted your proposal. These were not things that people would normally be pleased with. However, we have accepted them with our tongues and affirmed them in our hearts. Now, we pledge our allegiance to you, knowing and believing in what Allah has brought through you. We pledge our allegiance to our Rabb and your Rabb. The hand of Allah is upon our hands. Our blood is intertwined with yours, and our hands are joined. Just as we protect and shelter our own sons and women, we will protect and safeguard you from the same dangers.

If we were to break this covenant, then we would be among the disobedient and wretched individuals who violate Allah’s covenant. Allah knows that we are faithful to our words, and surely Allah is our helper.”

 After these discussions, our Master recited some passages from the Quran to them and encouraged them to embrace Islam. Then he explained what they would pledge allegiance to: 

“I have two conditions for you: The first is for the sake of our Rabb, the Almighty and Majestic: You will not associate anything as partners with His Oneness. You will worship Him without committing any form of polytheism, perform prayers, and give zakat. The second condition, which concerns me personally, is that you testify to my Risalah (prophethood) and protect me as you protect your own children and women.”

When these conditions were listed, Abdullah bin Rahawa asked:

“If we do this, what do we get in return?” 

Our Master explained:

“Paradise awaits you!”

The people of Medina replied:

“In that case, this is a very profitable transaction! We no longer want to debate this matter at all. Tell us, O Rasul of Allah, how should we pledge allegiance to you?”

Our Master explained to them how the Muslims should pledge allegiance to Him:

“You must believe that there is no god but Allah and that I am the Rasul of Allah. You must commit to praying, giving zakat (charity), listening to my words in times of joy and sorrow, assisting the needy in times of adversity and prosperity, always speaking the truth for the sake of Allah without caring about mockery, and guiding others away from evil and toward goodness. In addition, you must promise to support me in every way, just as you protect yourselves, your children, and your women when I am with you. You must pledge to defend and safeguard me just as you protect them, and you must make this commitment without any doubt.”

In response to our Master’s proposal, Ebul Haysem replied:

“We accept these conditions, even at the cost of our wealth being ruined and our nobles being killed...”

After saying this, he asked our Master (saw):

“O Rasul of Allah, we have a pact, a treaty with those people! By taking this action, are we breaking it? If, after Allah grants you victory and you return to your people in Mecca, you leave us to our own devices, what will become of our situation?”

Our Master (saw) smiled and replied:

“My blood is your blood. You may demand my blood money, and I may demand your blood money... Your responsibilities are my responsibilities! Your respect is my respect! I belong to you, and you belong to me! Whoever you fight against, I will also fight against. Whoever you make peace with, I will also make peace with.”

After this, the people of Medina pledged allegiance to our Master…

Later, our Master (saw) said to them:

“Select from among yourselves twelve individuals who will represent your people in all matters with me... Just as Moses had chosen twelve representatives from the Children of Israel” He said...

Upon this command, the people of Medina chose twelve representatives:

1.Es’ad bin Zürare 2. Sa’d bin Rebia 3. Abdullah bin Revaha 4. Rafi bin Malik 5. Bera bin Marur 6. Abdullah bin Amr 7. Ubade bin Samit 8. Sa’d bin Ubade 9. Münzir bin Amr 10. Useyd bin Hudayr 11. Sa’d bin Hayseme 12. Ebu Heysem Malik