At that time, it was beyond imagination that the one who is departing farewell in such a condition of dejection, will return to the city of Makkah after only eight years with dignity and rank of a great conqueror with utmost honour and will enter the holy home of Allah , elevating its grandeur with the elegance and eminence of his prostrations.
The people of Makkah broke the ‘Treaty of Hudaybiyah’. They betrayed the peace treaty and committed a breach of promise. They relentlessly killed the people of Banu Khuza’ah’s tribe that allied with the Holy Nabi . These innocent people of Banu Khuza’ah were unable to face the brutal attack of the people of Makkah, so they fled to the sacred Ka’bah. But these ferocious people did not care for the honour of the home of Allah and caused the cruel bloodshed of Banu Khuza’ ah in the holy Ka’bah. In this attack, twenty-three people of the Banu Khuza’ ah were killed. In this way; the people of Makkah broke the ‘Treaty of Hudaybiyah’ and this was the preface of the conquest of Makkah.
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Therefore, on 10th of Ramadan of 8 AH, the Noblest Rasool mobilized the blessed army of ten thousand and moved towards Makkah.
While departing Madinah, the Beloved Rasool and all
the blessed companions were in the state of fast, but when he reached the place called ‘Kadeed’, he asked for water and openly drank it sitting on his horse whilst showing this to the entire army. Subsequently, everyone was ordered to break the fast. Thus,
the Greatest and Holiest Rasool himself and his companions postponed fasting due to the journey and Jihad. (Sahih Bukhari,
Kitab-ul-Maghaazi, vol. 5, pp. 146, Raqm 4276)
The Rasool of Rahmah entered the city of Makkah in a state of dignity and triumph. He then ordered that his flag should be hoisted at the place of Hujoon (Jannat-ul-Ma’la) and gave instructions for Khalid Bin Waleed to enter with his army from the upper side of Makkah, from the area of ‘Kada’. (Sahih Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Maghaazi, vol. 5, pp. 147, Raqm 4280)
Just after landing on the holy land of Makkah, the first thing that the Rasool of Rahmah, the Intercessor of Ummah did was the following announcement. Its every word was saturated with numerous blessings: ‘The one who surrenders his weapon, he will be kept secured. The one who shuts his door, will be kept secured. The one who enters the Ka’bah, will be kept secured.’
On this occasion, Sayyiduna ‘Abbas suggested, ‘Ya Rasoolallah
, Abu Sufyan is proud of being chief. Please allow some distinctive privilege for him. In response, the Nabi of Rahmah stated that ‘the one who enters the home of Abu Sufyan, will also be kept secured’.
When the Beloved Rasool entered Makkah as a conqueror, he was riding upon his she-camel ‘Qaswa’ and he was wearing a black coloured ‘Imamah (turban). Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddeeq was beside him on one side and Sayyiduna Usayd Bin Hudayr was on the other side. He was surrounded by a huge passionate army who were well-equipped with arms and in the midst of this was the Beloved Rasool . Despite the splendour and awe of this huge powerful army, the captivating state of humbleness of
the Holy Rasool was such that he was reciting Surah Al-Fath whilst riding upon his she-camel, with his blessed head bowed in such a way that it frequently came in contact with the packsaddle of his she-camel. This fascinating state of his was by virtue of his gratitude, humbleness and obedience in the glorified court of Allah .
(Zurqaani, vol. 2, pp. 320-321)
Entry in Baytullah (the House of Allah)
Then he proceeded to Baytullah, riding on his she-camel and making Sayyiduna Usamah Bin Zayd sit behind him. Sayyiduna Bilal and the key holder of the Ka’bah, Sayyiduna ‘Usman Bin Talhah Hajbi were also accompanying the Beloved Rasool . He made his she-camel sit in Masjid-ulHaraam, performed Tawaf of the Ka’bah and kissed the Hajar-ul-Aswad.
(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Maghaazi, vol. 5, pp. 148-149, Raqm 4289)
At that time, 360 idols were present in a row inside the Ka’bah. The Holy Nabi
stood up himself and started demolishing the idols with the edge of the stick whilst reciting the Ayah of the Quran
meaning, ‘The truth has arrived and falsehood has perished; indeed falsehood had to perish’.
(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Maghaazi, vol. 5, pp. 148, Raqm 4287)
Then, all those idols that were placed inside the Ka’bah were removed on the order of the Beloved Rasool . When the Ka’bah was eventually purified from all of the idols, then he went inside the Ka’bah with Sayyiduna ‘Usamah Bin Zayd, Sayyiduna Bilal and Sayyiduna ‘Usman Bin Talhah Hajbi and recited Takbeer in all corners and also offered two Rak’aat of Salah. (Sahih Bukhari, vol. 1, pp. 218; Sahih Bukhari, vol. 2, pp. 614)
When he came out of the Ka’bah, he called Sayyiduna ‘Usman Bin Talhah and handed over the key of the Ka’bah to him and said:
Meaning, now take this key and it will remain with you forever. Only he who is an oppressor will snatch this key from you. (Zurqaani, vol. 2, pp. 239)
After this, the Revered Rasool conducted the first general congregation in the house of Allah , that not only comprised of a great number of Muslim soldiers, but many prominent figures of infidels and polytheists also attended it. In this gathering, the Beloved and Blessed Rasool delivered a sermon and then addressed the people of Makkah and said: ‘Do you know how I am going to treat you today?’ Listening to this alarming and fearful question, all the unbelievers became confounded and began to tremble with fear. But after observing the prophetic gesture of the Rasool of Rahmah, the Intercessor of Ummah , they collectively said , meaning, ‘you are a kind brother and the son of a kind father’.
The Conqueror of Makkah replied in his compassionate manner; there is no charge unto you all, go; you all are free.
(Sharh-uz-Zurqaani, vol. 3, pp. 449; Sunan Kubra, vol. 9, pp. 200, Hadees 18276)
Such an unexpected and sudden merciful reply caused the eyes of the criminals to well up with tears. The slogans of kalam Tayyba released from the tongues of infidels that produced a spiritual cover all around the Ka’bah. Such an amazing revolution took place in the hearts of the unbelievers that the whole environment changed.
History of conquest of Makkah
Many differences of opinion exist as regard to the date of the conquest of Makkah. According to Imam Bay haqi , it occurred on the 13th of Ramadan, Imam Muslim has reported it as the 16th of Ramadan and Imam Ahmad has stated it as the 18th of Ramadan. However, Muhammad Bin Ishaaq has written with reference to many learned scholars that the conquest of Makkah took place on the 20th of Ramadan, 8 AH. (Sharh-uz-Zurqaani, vol. 3, pp. 396-397)
The predictions and glad tidings of the conquest of Makkah are mentioned in few Ayahs of the Holy Quran. In Surah An-Nasr Allah has said:
When help and victory of Allah comes. And you see people entering the religion of Allah in droves. Thus glorify your Lord while praising Him, and seek forgiveness from Him; indeed He is the Greatest Acceptor of repentance.
[Kanz-ul-Iman (Translation of Quran)J (Part 30, Surah An-Nasr, Ayah 1-3)
Moral:
The moral lesson that we get from the conquest of Makkah is that the great display of forgiveness, mercy and kindness expressed by the Rasool of Rahmah at that occasion has no parallel in the world’s history.
If we analyse this event thoroughly, we will find that there were so many tyrants of the Quraysh present there who had frequently pelted stones at the Holy Rasool . Among them were also those cruel tyrants who had attempted to martyr the Beloved
Nabi many times and those merciless and relentless oppressors were also present there who had martyred the blessed teeth and smeared the enlightened face of the Noblest Rasool with his holy blood. Those corrupt infidels were also there who had disheartened the Merciful Rasool for years through their slandering and abusive language. Also stood were those wild and diabolical characters that had choked the blessed throat of the
Greatest and Holiest Rasool by tying it with a shawl. Among these people were also those embodiments of tyrannies who had struck the Princess of the Beloved Rasool, Sayyidatuna Zaynab with spear, causing her to fall down from her camel and to suffer a miscarriage.
Those cruel and brutal habitants were also there due to whom, many aggressive attacks and oppressive raids had caused recurrent upheaval in the city of Madinah. Those ruthless tyrants were also present that had killed the beloved uncle of the Holy Rasool, Sayyiduna Hamzah . Those that had cut off his nose and ears, gouged (removed) his eyes and chewed his liver were also present. Those heartless and merciless people were there too who had tortured the self-devoted ardent followers of the Holy Rasool , Sayyiduna Bilal, Sayyiduna Suhayb, Sayyiduna ‘Ammar, Sayyiduna Khabbaab, Sayyiduna Khubayb, Sayyiduna Zayd Bin Dashnah by tying them with ropes, cracking them with whips, forcing them to lay on sweltering sand, some were made to lay on blazing coals and others were hung and martyred. Now all these violent oppressors were shame stricken and their inner-selves were shivering with the suspected outcome of their ill deeds. They were standing as criminals helplessly trembling in front of ten thousand Muhajireen and Ansaar. They were contemplating in their hearts that perhaps today they will be fed to dogs and their flesh will be fed to crows and kites. The furiously angry army of the Ansaar and Muhajireen will kill their children, destroy their belongings and destroy their houses and towns. However, the Gracious and Merciful Rasool announced absolute and unconditional forgiveness.
Have you ever seen or heard of such a kind-hearted king and conqueror? Definitely your answer will be in negation. Because, the Honourable Rasool is incomparable, unique, and matchless in his every attribute.
0 the Muslims, these are the blessed virtues and glorious manners of our
Noble Rasool . Therefore, it is necessary for us to act upon these noble attributes and good manners of the Beloved Nabi by removing the fury of revenge and punishment from our hearts. We should make efforts to express forbearance and forgiveness towards our enemies. Because to forgive the faults and mistakes of people is the Sunnah of the Beloved Rasool , as well as moral guidance for the Ummah from the Holy Rasool . You would have read this Hadees in previous pages that ;meaning, mend relations with those who try to break off ties with you, forgive those who oppress you and show kindness and behave good towards those who misbehave with you. The Holy Quran also mentions rewards for those who opt for forbearance and forgiveness for their enemies. Allah has stated:
Meaning, those who forgive the mistakes of people are among the beloved of Allah and are those who bear high degrees. May Allah bless every Muslim with the ability to follow the character and the blessed manners of the Rasool of mankind, the Peace of our heart and mind, the most Generous and Kind .
