The Day Mercy Won What No Army Could
Two years before the conquest, the Muslims and the Quraysh had signed the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. It was an agreement of peace for ten years. But the Quraysh broke the treaty.
Their allies, the Banu Bakr, attacked the Banu Khuza'ah, who were allies of the Muslims. The Quraysh even helped in the attack. Some of the Banu Khuza'ah fled to Madinah and appealed to the Prophet (SAW) for help.
Abu Sufyan himself came to Madinah to try to renew the peace, but the Prophet (SAW) did not speak with him. The time for words had passed.
Agreements must be kept. When the Quraysh broke their promise, the consequences followed. Keeping our word is a matter of faith. The Prophet (SAW) never broke a treaty first.
The Prophet (SAW) decided to march on Makkah, but he kept it a secret. He did not want the Quraysh to prepare defences that would lead to a large battle and many deaths.
He asked Allah to make the Quraysh unable to hear news of the march. A companion named Hatib ibn Abi Balta'ah sent a secret letter to the Quraysh warning them. The Prophet (SAW) was informed of this by revelation and sent Ali ibn Abi Talib and companions to intercept the messenger before the letter could arrive. They caught the letter in time.
An army of 10,000 Muslims set out from Madinah and travelled toward Makkah quietly.
The Prophet (SAW) planned carefully to avoid unnecessary bloodshed. Wisdom in protecting lives is itself a form of mercy. He did not want to fight if he could help it.
As the Muslim army approached, Abu Sufyan came out to meet them. He met with al-Abbas, the uncle of the Prophet (SAW), who brought him safely to the Prophet (SAW).
That night, the Prophet (SAW) showed Abu Sufyan the might of the Muslim army as they marched past with their torches. Each tribe passed and Abu Sufyan had never seen such a force.
The next morning, Abu Sufyan accepted Islam. He said: I testify that there is no god but Allah. When asked about acknowledging Muhammad (SAW) as the Messenger of Allah, he hesitated briefly. Al-Abbas urged him and he took the full testimony of faith.
The Prophet (SAW) then announced: Whoever enters the house of Abu Sufyan is safe. Whoever closes his door is safe. Whoever enters the mosque is safe. He gave Makkah three places of refuge before a single sword was drawn.
Even the greatest enemy of Islam for 20 years was given a safe entry into the faith. It is never too late to turn to Allah. The door of Islam is always open.
The Prophet (SAW) entered Makkah on the back of his camel, with his head bowed so low in gratitude to Allah that his chin almost touched the saddle. He entered the city that had driven him out 8 years ago not with pride but with deep humility and remembrance of Allah.
He entered reciting Surah Al-Fath. Allah had described this moment years before:
The Prophet (SAW) went to the Ka'bah and circled it. He then used his staff to point at and remove the idols that surrounded it, reciting: Truth has come and falsehood has departed. Indeed, falsehood is ever bound to depart. (Al-Isra 17:81)
There was almost no fighting. A small number of clashes happened on one route into the city where Khalid ibn al-Walid's column was attacked, but the overall entry was peaceful.
The Prophet (SAW) entered Makkah with his head bowed, not raised. He was grateful to Allah, not proud of himself. Humility in the moment of our greatest success is the mark of a true believer.
The people of Makkah gathered in front of the Ka'bah, not knowing what would happen to them. They had spent 20 years persecuting, torturing, and fighting the Muslims. Many expected punishment.
The Prophet (SAW) looked at them and said: What do you think I will do with you? They said: Good. You are a generous brother and the son of a generous brother.
He said: Go. You are free.
This is recorded in Seerah Ibn Hisham. With these three words, he released 20 years of persecution and gave a general amnesty to the entire city. Almost everyone he could have punished, he freed.
A small number who had committed specific serious crimes were named as exceptions. But the vast majority of Makkah walked free that day.
Go. You are free. These three words changed the history of the world. Thousands of people entered Islam after the conquest of Makkah. This was the greatest result of mercy: not one sword, but a word of freedom.
The Conquest of Makkah was the most significant moment in the Seerah. The man who had been driven from his city, whose companions had been tortured, returned 8 years later with 10,000 and gave everyone their freedom. He bowed his head to Allah at the moment of his greatest victory. This is what Islam looks like: strong, just, humble, and endlessly merciful.
Sources: The Noble Quran | Sahih Bukhari | Sahih Muslim | Seerah Ibn Hisham
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