The Opening of Mecca
God - glorified and exalted be He - willed that the Prophet Muhammad and the believers enter Mecca, conquering it, removing it from the hands of the Quraysh, purifying it from idols, and restoring its original status of security and purity.
This occurred on the twentieth of Ramadan in the eighth year after the Hijra, after the Muslims endured the oppression of the Quraysh and their hostility towards Islam and its people, and after the religion had firmly established itself in their hearts. The opening of Mecca is also known as the Great Conquest and the Manifest Victory.
Reason for the Opening of Mecca
The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was the direct cause of the opening of Mecca. After the Prophet made an agreement with the Quraysh in the treaty allowing individuals and groups to choose their allegiance, religion, and beliefs freely, whoever wished to ally with the Prophet (peace be upon him) was permitted, and whoever wanted to side with the Quraysh could do so. Any attack on a tribe aligned with either side would be considered an attack on that side itself. The Banu Bakr sided with the Quraysh, while the Banu Khuzaa supported the Messenger of God (peace be upon him). This treaty supported peace between the two previously warring tribes in the pre-Islamic era. However, it did not last long.
In the eighth year of Hijra, specifically in the month of Shaban, the Banu Bakr conspired with the Quraysh to plot against the Banu Khuzaa in Mecca. They assumed that the news wouldn’t reach the Prophet in Medina due to his distance from them. Taking advantage of the Muslim's preoccupation with matters of propagation and dispatching missions, the Banu Bakr attacked the Banu Khuzaa at night, provided with weapons by the Quraysh. They killed twenty-three people, most of whom were women, children, and elderly, near the well of Watir. They fled to the sanctuary (the Kaaba), but the Banu Bakr didn't honor the sanctity of the sacred place and took their revenge.
This attack violated the terms of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and was a direct assault on the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the Muslims. Following this, the people of Khuzaa sought refuge and asylum with Dhu al-Bidah ibn Waraqa. Meanwhile, Amr ibn Salim went to the Prophet in Medina, informing him of the incident through poetry, describing the massacre, and reminding the Prophet of their covenant. The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied to him: "You have been assisted, O Amr ibn Salim".
Events of the Opening of Mecca
Rasool Quraysh
After learning about the incident with Banu Khuzaa, the Prophet (peace be upon him) sent a man to Quraysh, giving them a choice: to pay compensation for the killed from Banu Khuzaa or retaliate against Banu Bakr, the assailants. The ones who raided were from Banu Nifaatha, a part of Banu Bakr. Alternatively, they could nullify their agreement with the Prophet. Quraysh chose to nullify the agreement, solidifying their stance. This allowed the Prophet to confirm their position, absolving Quraysh from their pledge. However, they regretted their decision later, realizing their mistake. Wanting to rectify their stance, they sent Abu Sufyan to renew the agreement. When the Prophet learned of this, he said, "It seems as if Abu Sufyan has come to increase the agreement and the duration". When Abu Sufyan arrived in Medina, he tried to meet the Prophet, who did not respond. He then approached Abu Bakr, Umar, Ali, and Fatimah, but none of them responded. Thus, he returned to Mecca without forming an agreement with the Prophet.
Political and Military Situation
Quraysh was aware of the Prophet's position after the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. They knew the Muslim forces had grown stronger with a well-trained army. These were the same forces who had engaged the Romans in the Battle of Mutah. Additionally, the political situation of the Muslims had improved, with people from Yemen and Bahrain converting to Islam. Their relationships with Abyssinia and Egypt strengthened, elevating the status of Muslims in the Arabian Peninsula. Meanwhile, Qurayshs military and political standing weakened as they lost key figures like Khalid ibn al-Walid, Amr ibn al-As, and Uthman ibn Talha, who had converted to Islam. This shift of these influential figures strengthened the Muslim ranks.
Preparation and Secrecy
The Prophet Muhammad instructed people to prepare without revealing the destination. He ordered Aisha to prepare him. When Abu Bakr saw this, he asked her about the Prophet's destination, but she remained silent. Abu Bakr then asked the Prophet, who said, "Didn't you hear what they did to Banu Kab?" The Prophet sent messages to the Bedouins, urging them to prepare. Some arrived in Medina, while others joined on the way. Tribes like Aslam, Ghifar, Juhaynah, and Ashja joined in Medina. Banu Salim caught up with the Prophet on the journey. Later, the Prophet revealed their destination, instructing them to proceed discreetly. He also sent a covert group to Batn Edam, misleading people about the actual direction. Abu Qatadah was appointed to lead this group.
The Letter of Hatib
Hatib ibn Abi Baltaah wrote a message to the people of Mecca, informing them of the Prophets movement. As a supporter of Banu Asad, he sent the letter to a woman, tying it to her hair. However, revelation informed the Prophet of this plan. Ali and Zubair intercepted the woman, retrieved the letter, and presented it to the Prophet. The Prophet summoned Hatib and questioned his motives. Hatib explained that he sought protection for his family in Mecca. Umar suggested Hatibs execution for betrayal, but the Prophet, recalling Hatibs participation in the Battle of Badr, pardoned him, saying, "Perhaps God has looked favorably upon the people of Badr. Do as you wish; paradise is assured for you". Hatibs eyes welled up, and he proclaimed, "God and His Messenger know best".
Approaching Mecca
The Islamic army headed towards Mecca, and the Prophet appointed Abu Ruhm al-Ghifari as the caretaker of Medina. On the way, the Prophet met his uncle Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib and his family, who had embraced Islam. When the Prophet reached the Abwa area, he met Abu Sufyan but avoided him. Ali advised Abu Sufyan to approach the Prophet as Joseph's brothers had approached Joseph. Abu Sufyan did so, and the Prophet forgave him, saying, "Today there is no blame upon you; may God forgive you, for He is the Most Merciful". The army continued until reaching the Kudaid area, where they broke their fast. They reached the valley of Fatimah for the night. The Prophet appointed Omar ibn al-Khattab to guard.
Entry into Mecca
The Muslims moved towards Mecca, chanting and glorifying until Mecca reverberated with their chants. They aimed for the Kaaba to eradicate paganism. The Prophet began by circumambulating the Kaaba and destroying the idols. He addressed Quraysh, asking, "O Quraysh, what do you think I will do with you?" They replied with respect and honor. The Prophet declared them free, and the next morning, he delivered a sermon, starting with praise and gratitude. He proclaimed Mecca a sacred place by God's decree and forbade bloodshed or destruction. The Muslims then pledged allegiance to the Prophet of Islam.
The Noble Ethics of the Prophet during the Conquest of Mecca
The conquest of Mecca had a significant impact. It showcased the Prophet as a true messenger of God, embodying sublime and forgiving morals. He forgave Hatib ibn Abi Baltaah and pardoned the people of Quraysh. Additionally, his humility upon entering Mecca was remarkable. He lowered his head humbly to God upon witnessing the great victory. His beard nearly touched the back of the camel he rode. After more than twenty years of hostility between him and the people of Mecca, here he was, forgiving them. This event allowed Islam to spread throughout the world by the hands of the Arabs after the conquest.
Results of the Conquest of Mecca
The conquest of Mecca had several outcomes:
- End of Idol Worship and Polytheism: It marked the end of idol worship and initiated the concept of monotheism (Tawheed) in Mecca.
- Relief for the Oppressed: The Prophet lifted the oppression imposed by the pagans on the oppressed in Mecca, restoring their rights.
- Conversion to Islam without Fear: People embraced Islam in large numbers without fear of retribution from Quraysh, fulfilling the Quranic verse: "When the victory of Allah has come, and the conquest and you see the people entering into the religion of Allah in multitudes, then exalt [Him] with praise of your Lord and ask forgiveness of Him. Indeed, He is ever Accepting of repentance". (Quran 110:1-3)
- Elevating Islam's Status: The conquest elevated the status of Islam in the hearts of the Arabs and beyond.
- Confirmation and Assurance for Believers: Believers entered the Kaaba in fulfillment of the divine promise: "Certainly has Allah showed to His Messenger the vision in truth. You will surely enter al-Masjid al-Haram, if Allah wills, in safety, with your heads shaved and [hair] shortened, not fearing [anyone]". (Quran 48:27)
The conquest of Mecca was a watershed moment, transforming the landscape of religion and establishing the Islamic faith as a dominant force in the region.
