The Second Pledge of al-Aqabah during the Hajj season in the thirteenth year of the Mission
In the Hajj season of the thirteenth year of the mission, seventy men from the Ansar pledged to the Prophet ﷺ at al-Aqabah to support and protect him if he emigrated to them. Twelve leaders were chosen from among them, so this pledge was called The Second Pledge of al-Aqabah.


كيف تحوّلت بيعة سرّية في موسم الحج إلى أساس لدولة المدينة.
In the Hajj season of the thirteenth year of the mission, seventy men from the Ansar pledged to the Prophet ﷺ at al-Aqabah to support and protect him if he emigrated to them. Twelve leaders were chosen from among them, so this pledge was called The Second Pledge of al-Aqabah.
It marks a decisive turning point between the stage of the call to Islam in Makkah and the stage of the Hijrah to Madinah.
And in the thirteenth year of the Mission, during the Hajj season, seventy men from the Ansar came to him and also pledged allegiance to him at al-Aqabah that they would protect him if he emigrated to them, as they protected themselves, their women, and their children. He appointed twelve leaders for them, and the Prophet ﷺ said to the leaders: You are responsible for your people. It was then called the Second Pledge of al-Aqabah.
A group of the Ansar met the Prophet ﷺ in secret during the Hajj season, and they promised to support and protect him if he moved to Madinah. Then they chose twelve men to be responsible for their people in carrying out this pledge.
Before that, Islam had spread in Yathrib through Mus'ab ibn Umayr, the number of Muslims among the Ansar had increased, and then they came for Hajj and asked to meet the Prophet ﷺ at al-Aqabah.
The growth of faith in Yathrib and the Ansar's desire to protect the Prophet ﷺ from the harm of Makkah and prepare for the Hijrah.
The relationship with the Ansar moved from the faith of individuals to a collective commitment to support and protect, and the pledge had a direct role in preparing for the Hijrah.
One of the most important events before the Hijrah, as it directly paved the way for the Prophet ﷺ to move to Madinah.
It showed the fruit of the call to Islam in Yathrib and its move from individuals to society.
It established a new political relationship based on support and protection.
It formed the nucleus of a believing, mutually supportive community in Madinah.
It trained people to take responsibility and fulfill the pact.
It helped build a new society based on the Message, not tribal partisanship.
It secured a base for the Hijrah and later the rise of the Islamic state.
Received the pledge, approved it, and took the pledge from the leaders
They pledged to the Prophet ﷺ with support and protection
He attended the meeting and spoke, explaining the seriousness of the responsibility
He narrated the scene of the pledge
True faith appears in readiness to support and sacrifice.
Keeping the pact and bearing responsibility.
Mutual solidarity among believers and putting the common good first.
A coalition built on religion and commitment.
Training local leaders through the nuqaba'.
Organizing responsibility through representatives and leaders.
Building an organized society able to receive the Message and apply it.
The need to support the truth and build organized collective commitment.
Successful da'wah needs a sincere pledge and clear responsibility.
The importance of choosing capable representatives and distributing responsibilities.
That major change needs social agreement and a clear pact.
Keeping to commitments and not settling for sympathy alone.
The event cannot be applied to the present day in every detail because the prophetic context was different.
The pledge was a prelude to revelation and a new state, whereas today the institutional and legal contexts are different.
Every reform project needs collective commitment and responsible representatives.