With the Other Tribes of the Arabian Peninsula

The Treaties of the Prophet (SAWS) with the Other Tribes of the Arabian Peninsula
The
way Allah’s Messenger (SAWS) dealt with Quraysh after holding a treaty
with them was exquisite and uniquely great. Keeping ties of kinship
was not the only reason for this, as this was genuinely his norm with
all the tribes he had covenants with. Never in his life (SAWS) had he
broken a covenant or breached an agreement.
In so doing, the
Prophet (SAWS) was complying with Islamic teachings and obeying His
Lord who enjoined respecting agreements and maintaining covenants.
This was his attitude all through his life, and was not specific for a
peculiar stage or under certain circumstances. The Qur’anic verses of
Surah[1]
at-Tawbah, revealed towards the end of his lifetime (SAWS), announce
to him and to all Muslims, rather to the whole world, that fulfilling
covenants to the end is a quality of every sincere Muslim.
Allah (SWT) says what can be translated as,
“And an announcement from Allah and His Messenger to mankind on the
day of the Greater Pilgrimage that Allah is quit of the associators and
(so is) His Messenger. So in case you repent, then it is more
charitable (i.e., better) for you; and in case you turn away, then know
that you are unable to be defiant to Allah; and give tidings to the
ones who have disbelieved of a painful torment. Excepting the ones of
the associators (with) whom you covenanted, thereafter they did not
fail (Literally: diminish anything) you in anything nor backed anyone
against you. So complete (Literally: perfect (verb)) your covenant with
them till their (extended) period; surely Allah loves the pious.”
(TMQ, 9: 3, 4)

See how great Islam is!!
This
is a straightforward divine command for us and for Muslims in general
to fulfill agreements and respect covenants. It holds true even if the
covenant was held with polytheists prostrating to idols and associating
others with their Lord who enjoined this command. Verily, What a
Great and Sublime Lord!
The Prophet (SAWS) orders Ali Ibn-Abu-Talib (RA) to recite these ayahs to pilgrims of all sects.[2] This was in the ninth year after hijrah[3] when Muslims and polytheists of various Arab tribes were performing pilgrimage at the same time.
This is a general statement that has no exceptions and a solid ruling that was not abrogated. Myriads of ayahs and ahadith[4] stressed this point, far more than we can reckon. Here are some of the Qur’anic ayahs mentioning this ruling:
“And
do not draw near the wealth of the orphan except in the fairest
(manner) until he reaches full age; and fulfill the covenant. Surely the
covenant will be questioned of.” (TMQ, 17:34).
“And they are the ones who pay heed to their deposits and their covenant.” (TMQ, 23: and (TMQ, 70:32).
“Yes indeed, (but) whoever fulfils his covenant and is pious (to Allah), then surely Allah loves the pious.” (TMQ, 3: 76).
“How
should the associators (Those who associate others with Allah) have a
covenant in the Meeting with Allah and in the sight of His Messenger?
Excepting the ones (with) whom you covenanted at the Inviolable Mosque;
so, as long as they go straight with you, so go straight with them;
surely Allah loves the pious.” (TMQ, 9: 7).
“And
fulfill the covenant of Allah when you have covenanted, and do not
break the oaths after they have been affirmed. And you have already
made Allah Sponsor over you; surely Allah knows whatever (things) you
perform.” (TMQ, 16:91).

[1] Chapter of the Qur’an.
[2]
Al-Bukhariyy, Book of exegesis, Chapter on Surah Bara’ah
(at-Tawbah), no. 4379. an-Nasa’iyy, Sunan an-Nasa’iyy no. 2958, and
Ibn-Sayed an-Nas, Oyoun al-Athar, 2/310.
[3] The migration from Makkah to Madinah in 622 A.D.
[4] Prophetic tradition.