Conquest
of Makkah- A Day of Mercy
When a person comes in power after getting so much torched by
his enemy like when his enemy who had taken the life of members from his
family, tortured his friends and beloved or made his life tremendously
intolerable? Imagine what would happen to that person when his enemy life was
at his mercy? Mostly we find in History such enemies were treated so harsh
until he get killed but history shows one great noble personality character who
forgive his enemy such person is no one but the Holy Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu
alaihe wasallam. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and his
followers were troubled by the Quraish for so many years to the point. Right from the declaration of Prophethood to
Hijrah and after that. They had troubled
Muslims, fought wars against them. Time and again they conspired to martyr the
Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).
When the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) had these
blood-thirsty enemies at His mercy, While Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)
conquest Makka on Ramadan
20, 8 AH (630 AD) and entering
Makkah the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) made sure to request that the
non-Muslims or former enemies of the Muslims be shown kindness, He (Sallallahu
alaihi wa sallam) gave an order full of mercy and benevolence. He (Sallallahu
alaihi wa sallam) announced:
Those who shelter in the Ka’ba are safe; those who shelter in
the house of Abu Sufyan are safe, and those who remain confined to their houses
are also safe.( Al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh by Ibn al-Athir )
Abu Sufayan was a leader of Quraysh and one of the ardent
enemies of the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) The Meccans were afraid
about the impending conquest of their city because the Arabs had lived by the
law of retaliation and there was a fear that Muslims would take revenge for the
persecution of the Muslims and the losses in subsequent battles. When the
Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)
and the Muslims entered the area of the Kaba, he announced clemency for
everyone in Mecca who no longer wished to fight the Muslims: This day no reproach shall be on you. God will forgive you;
He is the Most Merciful of the Merciful. You can go away free! ( Ibn Hisham
Vol-2, page235)
Historic Address of the
Prophet:
The Historical address made by the holy Prophet (Sallallahu
alaihi wa sallam) after the conquest of Makka it is Allama ibn kasir and ibn
Hisham mentioned the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said addressed to
the people of Makka: "None has the right to be worshiped but Allah. He has
fulfilled His Promise and help to His slave. He has alone overthrown all the
Confederates. All the rites, privileges and claims to retaliation and blood
compensation are beneath my feet except the custody of the Ka'bah and the
giving water to the pilgrims. Even cutting down a green tree is not valid
within the sanctuary. O you people of the Quraysh, Allah has abolished the
haughtiness of paganism and the pride of lineage. Man comes from Adam and Adam came
from clay. Allah the Almighty Says (what means): 'O mankind, indeed We have
created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may
know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the
most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted'. [Quran, 49:13]
O Quraysh! What do you think I am about to do with you?"
"We hope for the best," they replied, "You are a noble brother,
son of a noble brother." The Prophet of Allah said in reply, "I say
to you what Yoosuf (Prophet Joseph may Allah exalt his mention) said to his
brothers: 'Have no fear this day, go your way for you are all free'.(Tarikh Ibn
Kaseer Vol4, chapter Fathe Makka,page 240, Ibn Hisham Vol-2, page242 )
Many of the Meccans, who were expecting some sort of
punishment, were surprised by the Prophet’s (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)
statement and some decided to become Muslim. Thus, the conquest of Mecca was
bloodless and ended years of warfare and violence between Quraysh and the
Muslims.
This event is significant for Muslims because it demonstrates
the character of the Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). He could have
exacted revenge, in accordance with the traditions of the Arabs, but instead he
showed mercy on the Meccans. This is an important reminder for Muslims even to
the present day about how conflict should be addressed. Finally, the conquest
was a defining moment because it established Islam on the Arabian Peninsula,
from there it spread to become a major world religion.
The conquest of Makkah is a magnificent part of Prophet’s
(Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) life and
history, to be greatly reflected upon. It is for both Muslims and non-Muslims
to understand it and recognise what it teaches to a community in this age. The
reality of life as human beings, that people can change. One of the greatest
qualities Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) had was that he could change
the heart of his enemies towards love to him, this is a quality of character
lacking in today’s society. People who come in power not only take revenge but
most of time they torched to other by their all sources to those who not agree
with their views. This is reason name sake educated and modern world is losing
their morality and inhuman activities take place in the name of cast, religion,
sect, country, color and culture.
