He, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, took the advice and counsel of his uncle Al-'Abbaas:

'Abdullaah ibn 'Abbaas (a Companion and the Prophet’s cousin) narrated: “Al-'Abbaas came with Abu Sufyaan ibn Harb to the Prophet of Allah, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, in the year of the conquest of Makkah, and Abu Sufyaan had accepted Islam at a place near Makkah. Al-'Abbaas said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, Abu Sufyaan is a man who likes honor and glory, so can you give him something?’ He, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said: "Yes, whoever enters the house of Abu Sufyaan will be safe, and whoever locks himself in his home will be safe."”