The Prophet Addressing the People of Makkah

on the second day of the great conquest, the prophet [pbuh] stood up and addressed the people in matters relating to the holy status of makkah. after entertaining allâh’s praise, he proclaimed that makkah was a holy land and would remain so till the day of judgement. no bloodshed was allowed therein. should anyone take the liberty of fighting within makkah on grounds derived from the events that characterized the conquest, he should remember that it had been a licence granted temporarily to the prophet, and virtually does not go for others. ibn ‘abbas [r] narrated: the prophet [pbuh] said: "allâh has made makkah, a sanctuary, so it was a sanctuary before me and will continue to be a sanctuary after me. it was made legal for me (i.e. i was allowed to fight in it) for a few hours of a day. it is not allowed to uproot its shrubs or to cut its trees, or to chase (or disturb) its game, or to pick up its fallen things except by a person who would announce that (what has found) publicly." al-‘abbas said: "o allâh’s messenger! except the lemon grass (for it is used) by our goldsmiths and for our homes." the prophet [pbuh] then said: "except the lemon grass."

in this context, out of the spirit of revenge, the tribesmen of khuza‘ah killed a man from laith tribe. here the prophet was indignant and ordered khuza‘ah to stop those pre-islamic practices. he, moreover, gave the family of anyone killed the right to consider either of two options, blood-money or just retribution (the killer is killed).

after having delivered his address, the prophet [pbuh] rode to a small hill, safa, not far from al-ka‘bah. turning his face towards the sacred house, amidst a vast admiring and devotional multitude, he raised his hand in fervent prayer to allâh. the citizens of madinah who had gathered round him entertained fear, as allâh had given him victory over his native city, he might choose to stay here. he insisted on explanation of their fear and so they spoke openly. he immediately dispelled their fears and assured them that he had lived with them and would die with them.