ERA OF ISLAM

The treaty of Hudaibya really proved a great victory for the Muslims. After this treaty, the number of the Muslims began to rise rapidly. Now the Muslims were in such a large number that they need not be afraid of the infidels of Mecca. They were now even, in a position to take action against the infidels, if it so required. But they made their best effort to observe the treaty in letter and spirit. However, it was the Quraish themselves who, after two years of the treaty, made it null and void. They also created a situation that compelled the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to take action against them. Thus, the Holy Prophet (PBUH).with an army of ten thousand Muslims advanced towards Mecca to conquer it. Seeing such a great army of the valiant Muslims, the Quraish lost their senses. They did not resist at all. They surrendered without any resistance and the Muslim army occupied the city of Mecca without any loss.

         The Holy Prophet (PBUH) having entered the city, first of all, cleared Kaaba of the idols installed therein by the idolators. Now, once again, Ka’ba that was built by Hazrat Ibrahim (AS.) And Hazrat Ismail (AS.) For the worship and adoration of ALLAH only, was restored to the believers.

          After surrendering to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the people of Quraish were afraid of being avenged. They thought that Muhammad (PBUH) must take revenge of their misdeeds and the ill treatment they had done with him and with his followers. Actually, they deserved punishment for what they had done against the Prophet (PBUH) and the helpless Muslims in the past. Now Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) and his followers were the c and they could take revenge but what the Prophet (PBUH) and followers did have no other history of mankind. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) declared in clear terms- “No action or revenge shall be taken against anybody for his past deeds. General amnesty granted to should feel any anxiety." The Holy Prophet (PBUH) the slave Wahshi who had killed mercilessly of Prophet's Hazrat in the of Abu was granted also to Hindah, the wife, and Sufyan, who caused the body of Hazrat Hamza (RA)to send ghastly chewed his liver and heart. There is hardly any other example of the behavior of the conqueror towards the conquered in the world history as it was adopted by the Muslim conquerors on the occasion of the conquest of Mecca. The treatment of the victorious Muslims towards the defeated people of Quraish is a golden chapter in the history of mankind. It was this noble treatment that inspired Abu Sufyan, the Chief of Quraish and his wife Hindah to bow down and accept Islam. Hindah after being converted to Islam would often say"Muhammad (PBUH) was the person whom I hated the most before I accepted Islam but now he is the dearest of all for me."

          The conquest of Mecca is a great turning point in the history of Islam. The people of Arabia had great respect and esteem for the Quraish. They were observing thoroughly the struggle going on between the Quraish and the Muslims for more than twenty years. So when they saw that Islam had overcome and the Quraish were defeated then there remained not even an iota of doubt in their mind that Islam was the true religion of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was the true Messenger of ALLAH. So after the conquest of Mecca people from every tribe and part of Arabia began to come to the Prophet (PBUH) and accept Islam. In this way within two years the whole of Arabia entered into the fold of Islam. So we see that the country that was once quite hostile to the Holy Prophet (PBUH), within a period of 23 years came under his command. Now throughout Arabia, there was none to dispute his command. People obeyed him not only physically but also mentally and spiritually. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) had his place in people's heart and soul.

         After the conquest of Mecca the Holy Prophet (PBUH) stayed only a few days in Mecca, and accomplishing some necessary affairs of the state, went back to Madina. He could have again started to live in his native place Mecca but he did not for he had already promised to the people of Madina that he would never leave them.

          Mecca was conquered in the 8th year of Hijra (629 A.D). The Prophet(S had left Madina for Mecca with the Islamic army on the 10th of Ramazan and had entered Mecca victoriously on the 20th of Ramazan.