The Conquest of Makkah

THE CONQUEST OF MAKKAH – PREPARATIONS:When Islam was well established in the hearts of the Muslims, Allah decided that the time had come for His Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) and his community to enter Makkah. They would purify the Ka’bah so that it would be a blessed place of guidance for the whole world. They would restore Makkah toits previous status and the sacred city would offer security for all people once again.A BROKEN TREATY:Inthe Peace Treaty of Hudaybiyyahit was laid down that anyone who wanted to enter into a treaty and alliance with the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah should be able to do so; and anyone who wanted to enter into a treaty and alliance with the Quraysh should also be allowed to do so. The Banu Bakr entered into an alliance with the Quraysh while the Banu Khuza’ah entered into one with the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah.Long-standing hostility existed between the Banu Bakr and Banu Khuza’ah. The coming of Islam had put a barrier between the people as they had become engrossed in its affairs. The Peace Treaty enabled the Banu Bakr to settle an old score against the Banu Khuza’ah. One night the Banu Bakr attacked the Banu Khuza’ah by night when they were camped by a spring and killed some of their men. A skirmish developed and the Quraysh helped the Banu Bakr by providing weapons.Some Quraysh leaders also fought with the Banu Bakr secretly by night, and the Khuza’ah were driven into the Haram. Some of the Quraysh said, |’We have entered the Haram. Mind your gods!’ Others replied thoughtlessly, ‘There is no god today,men of Banu Bakr. Take your revenge! You may never have another chance!SEEKING HELP:Amr ibn Salim al-Khuza’i went to the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allahin Madinahand recited some verses to him about the alliance between the Muslims and the Khuza’ah. He asked for help, saying that the Quraysh had violated the agreement. His tribe had been attacked at night, he maintained, andmen had been killed in ruku and sajdah, while performing prayers.The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah assured him, ‘You will be helped, Amr ibn Salim!’ He then sent a man to Makkah to get confirmation of the attack and to offer the Quraysh the chance to redress their offence. Their reply was impulsive and they ignored the likely consequences.THE QURAYSH ATTEMPT TO RENEW THE TREATY:When the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah heard their answer, he said, ‘I think you will see Abu Sufyan coming to strengthenthe treaty and to ask for more time.’That happened. The Quraysh were soconcerned about what they had donethat they charged Abu Sufyan with the task of getting the treaty ratified.Abu Sufyan came to the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah in Madinah and also went to visit his daughter, Umm Habibah, the wife of the Prophet. However, when he went to sit on the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah’s carpet, she rolled it up from under him.Puzzled, he said to her, ‘My daughter,I do not know whether you think the carpet is too good for me or whether Iam too good for the carpet.’She replied, ‘This is the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah’s carpet and youare an unclean idol-worshipper. I donot want you to sit on his carpet.’‘By Allah, ‘ Abu Sufyan retorted. ‘You have been spoiled since you left me.’ABU SUFYAN FAILS:Abu Sufyan went to the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah, but he did not receive any answer. Then he went to Abu Bakr and asked him to speak to the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah for him but he refused. He tried to win over Umar, Ali and Fatimah but they all said that the matter was too serious for them to get involved. Abu Sufyan became confused about what to do.MAKING READY:The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah asked the Muslims to start preparing for an expedition but he asked them to keep it a secret. Later he announced that he was going to Makkah and orderedthem to get ready.He said, ‘O Allah! Impede the informers of the Quraysh so that we can take Makkah by surprise.’ He left Madinah with ten thousand men in Ramadan 8 A.H. and advanced as faras Marr az-Zahran where they set upcamp. Allah concealed this information from the Quraysh, so they waited in uncertainty.A PARDONING:On the way, the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah happened to meet his cousin, Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith ibn Abdul-Muttalib. He ignored him because he had sufferedinsults and persecution from Abu Sufyan. The cousin complained to Alithat he had been ignored. Ali said to him, ‘Go to the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah and say to him what the brothers said to Yusuf, “By Allah, Allah has preferred you to us and we were indeed sinful. “(1 2: 91 ) The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah never Likes anyone to show more mercy than he.Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith did as ‘Ail advised and the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah replied, ‘Have nofear this day. Allah will forgive you. He is the Most merciful of the merciful.Abu Sufyan ibn al-Harith accepted Islam and was known for his piety. He did not raise his head ever again in front of the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah because he felt so ashamed of his past behaviour.ABU SUFYAN IBN HARB ACCEPTS ISLAM:The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah was commanding the army and he ordered the campfires to be lit. Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, who was spying outthe ground for the Quraysh, said: ‘I have never seen so many fires or such an army.Al-Abbas ibn Abdul-Muttalib had already left Makkah with his wife andchildren as a Muslim Muhajir and had joined the Muslim army. He recognised Abu Sufyan’s voice and called to him, ‘See, the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah is here with his army. What a terrible morning the Quraysh will have!’He made Abu Sufyan ride on the backof his mule, fearing that if a Muslim saw him, he would kill him. Al-Abbastook him to the Messenger(sallallahualaiyhi wassallam) of Allah who said, ‘Woe to you, Abu Sufyan! Has not the time come for you to acknowledge that there is no god but Allah’Abu Sufyan replied, ‘How kind and gentle you are! By Allah, I think that if there had been another god besides Allah, he would have helped me today.’‘Woe to you, Abu Sufyan! Is it not timethat you recognised that I am the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah!’Abu Sufyan replied, ‘May my father and mother be your ransom! How kind and generous you are! But by Allah, I still have some doubt as to that.’Al-Abbas intervened, ‘Woe to you, Abu Sufyan! Become a Muslim and testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah before you lose your head.’ Then Abu Sufyan recited the articles of faith and became a Muslim.THE AMNESTY:The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah was generous ingranting amnesty to everyone so thatno one in Makkah need be killed that morning. Only those who courted danger ran any risk of losing their life. He declared, ‘Whoever enters the house of Abu Sufyan is safe. Whoeverlocks his door is safe. Whoever enters the mosque is safe.’ The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah told his army not to use arms against anyone when they entered Makkah unless they met opposition or resistance. Hedirected the army not to touch property or possessions belonging to the people of Makkah and nothing should be destroyed .ABU SUFYAN’S INFLUENCE:The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah decided to demonstrate the power of Islam to Abu Sufyan. He asked Abbas ibn Abdul-Muttalib to take Abu Sufyan towhere the marching squadrons would pass by.The Muslim squadrons passed by like a surging sea with the different tribes bearing their standards. Whenever a tribe passed by, Abu Sufyan would ask Abbas about it and, when he heard the name of the tribe, he would mumble gloomily, ‘What have I got to do with them?’ Finally the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah passed by with his squadron in full, gleaming green armour. It was the regiment of the Muhaj