The Leadership of the Prophet ﷺ at Sulh al-Hudaybiyyah
Lessons on Dealing with Different Personalities
One of the clearest demonstrations of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ’s leadership skills came during the events of Sulh al-Hudaybiyyah, the famous treaty between the Muslims of Madinah and the Quraysh of Makkah.
The Prophet ﷺ and his companions set out with the simple intention of performing ʿUmrah at Masjid al-Haram. They came in peace, bringing animals for sacrifice and making clear they had no intention of fighting. But the Quraysh leadership decided to block their entry into Makkah. Tensions rose, and the companions felt deep anger at the injustice, after all, they only wished to worship.
It was in this moment of crisis that the Prophet ﷺ showed his unique ability to manage conflict and deal with different personalities wisely.
Recognizing People’s True Character
When Quraysh first sent a man known for dishonesty and betrayal, the Prophet ﷺ immediately assessed his character. Before any negotiations began, he made it clear to his companions: this man cannot be trusted. The Prophet ﷺ refused to waste time with someone who would break agreements, showing us the importance of discernment and setting boundaries.
Appealing to Religious Sincerity
The next envoy was the leader of Al-Ahbāsh, a people from Abyssinia known for their closeness to the Kaʿbah and their devotion. The Prophet ﷺ instructed his companions to show this man the sacrificial animals, proving the Muslims’ peaceful intentions. Upon seeing this, the envoy confirmed that the Muslims were not coming for war but worship.
Here, the Prophet ﷺ demonstrated the importance of tailoring one’s approach to the audience: with a man of faith, he showed sincerity of worship, and it resonated.
Meeting Pride with Strength
Later, Quraysh sent ʿUrwah ibn Masʿūd al-Thaqafī, a tribal leader, nobleman, and king among his people. His personality was one of authority and arrogance. The Prophet ﷺ recognized that humility alone would not work with a man like this. Instead, he received him with a display of dignity and power.
He asked Abū Bakr to be present, and al-Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah, a towering figure in full armor, to stand behind him. The message was clear: Muhammad ﷺ is not only a Prophet, but also a leader with loyal companions and strength behind him.
ʿUrwah began arrogantly, even trying to touch the Prophet’s beard. Each time, al-Mughīrah struck his hand away, warning him not to overstep. Faced with this, ʿUrwah shifted his tone. By the end of the meeting, he returned to Quraysh and admitted: “I have sat with kings, but never have I seen a man so respected and loved by his people as Muhammad ﷺ.”
The Treaty
These careful interactions, combined with patience and wisdom, paved the way for the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, an agreement that at first seemed unfavorable to the Muslims but ultimately opened the door for the spread of Islam.
Lessons in Leadership
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ’s dealings at Hudaybiyyah give us timeless lessons:
Discernment: Not every person deserves the same level of trust. The Prophet ﷺ knew who was sincere and who was not.
Flexibility: He adjusted his approach depending on the person, firmness with the arrogant, openness with the devout, dismissal of the untrustworthy.
Dignity in Leadership: He balanced humility with displays of authority, reminding us that leadership requires both compassion and strength.
Respecting People’s Language: He spoke to each man in the “language” they understood, whether it was faith, respect, or power.
Strategic Patience: Even when companions were restless, he maintained composure, knowing that lasting victory comes through wisdom, not impulse.
Leadership is Not Nifāq
Some may mistake this flexibility for inconsistency. In truth, it is a mark of wisdom. Treating people according to their personalities does not mean compromising principles, it means knowing how to communicate effectively. The Prophet ﷺ was authentic, firm in his mission, but wise enough to adapt his style.
This is not hypocrisy; it is leadership. And leadership, as the Prophet ﷺ showed, is a skill that can be learned, cultivated, and embodied with sincerity.
Final Reflection
Islam calls us to excellence not just in prayer and worship, but in how we deal with people. The Prophet ﷺ modeled what it means to balance mercy with firmness, humility with dignity, and patience with strength.
In our personal lives, communities, and organizations, we too face different personalities, the arrogant, the devout, the untrustworthy. The Sunnah teaches us: know your people, meet them as they are, and lead with wisdom.
Just as the Prophet ﷺ transformed conflict at Hudaybiyyah into peace, we can transform challenges into opportunities when we lead with clarity, sincerity, and courage.