The Prophet enters Makkah

The same morning the Prophet left his camp for Makkah. He instructed Abbas to take Abu Sufyan to a hill at the end of the valley, where he could review the Muslim troops on the march. Abbas obeyed the Prophet’s instructions and took Abu Sufyan to observe the Muslim army that surged like an ocean in front of him.

Different tribes marched by Abu Sufyan with their tribal colours, and as each marched ahead, he asked Abbas the name of the tribe, he mumbled gloomily, “What have I to do with them?” Then the detachment of the Ansar with Sa’d bin Ubadah holding the standard. Sa’d passed Abu Sufyan and called out, “Abu Sufyan, today is a day of conflict and bloodshed. Today the Ka’bah will be made lawful for us.

Abu Sufyan said, “O Abbas! Congratulations on the day of destruction and plunder.”

Finally, the Prophet himself passed by, flanked by the Muhajireen and Ansar who were completely covered in armour save their eyes. Abu Sufyan sighed and said, “Abbas, who are these?” When Abbas told him that it was the Prophet approaching, accompanied by the Ansar and the Muhajireen, Abu Sufyan said, “Who has the power to resist them? The empire of your nephew has assumed splendid proportions.”

Abbas said, “Such is Prophethood.” Abu Sufyan said in resignation, “Yes, of course.” Abu Sufyan took Sa’d’s challenge very seriously, and he went to the Prophet and repeated what Sa’d had said. The Prophet was displeased with Sa’d’s bragging and replied: “Nay, the Ka’bah will be raised in honour today; the Ka’bah will be clothed today.”

Saying this, the Prophet took the standard from Sa’d and gave it to his son, Qays, for he was worried that in the euphoria of victory Sa’d might unleash terror on the citizens of Makkah. As the Prophet passed by, Abu Sufyan hurried back to Makkah and announced loudly: “O people of the Quraysh, this is Muhammad who has come to you with an army you cannot resist. Now he who enters Abu Sufyan’s house will be safe.” “Allah destroy you, cried some of the Quraysh in dismay. “How can your house accommodate us all?”

Abu Sufyan added, “He who shuts his door upon himself will also be safe, just as he who enters the Sacred Mosque will be safe.” At that, the people dispersed to take shelter in their houses and in the Ka’bah.

When the Prophet arrived at Dhu Tuwa, he ordered Khalid bin Waleed and the left flank of the army to enter the lower part of Makkah via Kada. Anyone among the Quraysh who resisted was to be killed. The army was to proceed and meet up with the Prophet at Mount Safa.

The Prophet’s standard bearer and commander of the right wing. Zubayr, was commanded to make his entry into Makkah through the upper part of Kada and to pitch his standard at Hajoon. He and the troops were to stay there until the arrival of the Prophet . Abu Ubaydah, the commander of the infantry and the unarmed soldiers, was to go along the route leading from inside the valley and to descend into Makkah ahead of the Prophet .

At this stage the Quraysh assembled some of their men under Safwan Ibn Umayyah, Ikramah Abi Jahl and Sahl ibn Amr at Khandama and entrusted them with the last vestige of resistance against the Muslim army. If they too fell, there was no choice but to accept the Muslim supremacy over Makkah. And indeed that day there was no choice but to accept Allah’s decree. After nearly twenty-one years of patience and endurance of persecution, Allah’s Messenger would finally enter His Sacred Mosque, victorious and unchallenged.

Khalid and his men passed the company and made short work of the Makkan resistance. Twelve of the pagans were killed and the rest took to their heels. Once he had dismissed this contingent, no barriers remained in Khalid’s way. He and his men charged into Makkah, marching through the streets and by lanes without any opposition. Two men who got separated from them were killed. Finally, at Safa, Khalid and his men met up with the Prophet .

Zubayr, on the other hand, arrived at Hajoon and planted his standard near Fath mosque. He put up a tent there for Umm Salamah and Maymoona, and in compliance with the Prophet’s instructions, he waited for the Prophet to arrive there. When the Prophet got there he rested briefly, and then moved forward accompanied by Abu Bakr.

At last, the moment ordained by Allah arrived, and His servant was finally free to worship Him without impediment. Humble in victory, flanked by his followers, the Prophet entered the Sacred Mosque reciting Surah Fath. He then kissed the Black Stone and circumambulated the Ka’bah. Around it were 360 idols that the pagans had placed over the years. He prodded each with a stick in his hands reciting the following verses: “Truth has come and falsehood has vanished. Truly, falsehood is ever bound to vanish.” (17: 81) “The Truth has arrived, and falsehood can neither prove nor disprove anything.” (34: 49)