THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME WITH PROPHET MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH 065 THE OPENING OF MECCA Part 1 by Khadeijah A. Stephens Copyright © 1984-2012 by Allah.com Muhammad.com Mosque.com Khadeijah A. Stephens Bismillah Ir Rahman Ir Raheem The Opening of Mecca Part 1 The Tribes of Bakr and Khuzah The tribe of Bakr had allied itself to the tribe of Koraysh, whereas the tribe of Khuzah had more recently allied itself to the Muslims at Hudaybiyah. There had been a feud between the two tribes for many years but despite the ten-year peace treaty of Hudaybiyah, in which both parties had taken part and bound by honor to observe, the tribe of Bakr was still bent on prolonging the feud. One night shortly after Amr's return to Mecca from Syria, the tribe of Bakr attacked the tribe of Khuzah and killed one of their tribesmen. During the skirmish the Koraysh assisted their allies with a supply of weapons and some even went so far as to take part in the fighting in the Sacred area -- an area in which fighting had always been strictly forbidden. Tribesmen from Ka'b, a branch of the Khuzah, rode in haste to Medina to request the Prophet's help. When he learned of the unprovoked attack he told the envoys to return and that he would come to their assistance. As the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) entered Lady Ayesha's room she could tell from the expression on his face that all was not well as he asked her to bring some water so that he might renew his ablution. As he poured the water over his limbs she heard him say, "May I not be helped if I do not help the sons of Ka'b," whereupon she realized the grave implications. Abu Sufyan Journeys to Medina The participation of men from the Koraysh in the attack concerned their fellow tribesmen and so they decided to send Abu Sufyan, who had been away from Mecca at the time of the signing of the treaty, to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). Abu Sufyan set out upon his journey, however, he had not gone far when he encountered the men from the tribe of Ka'b riding toward him and knew the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) had been informed of the serious breach of the peace. As soon as Abu Sufyan reached Medina he went straight to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) but could discern from his expression that he viewed the situation as grave. In an attempt to make light of the situation, Abu Sufyan began by saying, "Muhammad, I was absent at the time of the truce at Hudaybiyah, let us strengthen the treaty and increase its duration." The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) replied with a question asking, "Has anything occurred so as to break it on your part?" The question made Abu Sufyan feel uneasy and reluctantly he replied, "Allah forbid!" Whereupon the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) commented, “We are keeping the truce for the stated period and will not accept another in its place." Abu Sufyan Attempts to Enlist the Support of his Muslim Family The situation was serious, so Abu Sufyan left the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and went to visit his daughter, Lady Umm Habibah, whom he had not seen for fifteen years, hoping that perhaps she might sway the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). As he entered her room he greeted her and proceeded to try to sit down on the Prophet's rug, but his daughter removed it whereupon he asked, "Is the rug too good for me, or am I too good for the rug?" Respectfully, Lady Umm Habibah replied, "It is the Prophet's rug, and you my father remain an idolater, unpurified," she continued, "you are the lord of the Koraysh, their chief, how is it that you have not embraced Islam and remain worshipping stones which can neither see nor yet hear?" Pride once again covered his heart as he replied, "Am I to forsake what my fathers worshipped in order to follow the religion of Muhammad?" Abu Sufyan realized his daughter was not receptive so he went to visit Abu Bakr, as well as several of the other close Companions of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), to try to convince them to intercede, as although the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) had not said the words that he viewed the treaty void, Abu Sufyan sensed it to be so. Each of the Companions gave the same response with Abu Bakr concluding with the words, "I only give protection within the bounds granted by the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam)." Finally, Abu Sufyan went to visit Ali at his home hoping that he would get some support from him on account of their common ancestry and close ties of kinship. Having reminded Ali of their kinship he prevailed upon him in the same manner as before, but Ali told him he was not prepared to speak in favor of anything to which the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was adverse. Lady Fatima happened to be in the same room with her young son Hasan and heard the conversation, so Abu Sufyan turned to her saying, "Daughter of Muhammad, ask your young son to grant protection between man and man, so that he may become the lord of the Arabs," whereupon Lady Fatima commented, "Boys so young as this do not grant protection." Abu Sufyan left Ali's house and went to the Mosque where he proclaimed in a loud voice, "I grant protection between man and man, and I do not think Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) will fail to uphold me." Then he went to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) saying, "O Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), I do not think you will deny my protection." However, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) answered: "This is your opinion," whereupon Abu Sufyan returned despondently to Mecca. The Road to Mecca When Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) prepared for an encounter, he would often march out in the opposite direction of the enemy, then march towards them thereby taking the advantage of surprise. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) now issued the instruction that preparations should be made ready for a campaign, when Abu Bakr asked him about it the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) confirmed they were to engage the Koraysh, whereupon he inquired, "Don't we have to wait until the time of the truce is over?" The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) replied, "They betrayed us and broke the truce, so I shall march against them. However, keep the matter secret and let them think that the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) is marching on Syria, or to Ta'if, or yet on the tribe of Hawazin." Then he supplicated saying, "O Allah, remove us from the sight of the Koraysh as well as our news and plans, so that we may come upon them suddenly in their land” because the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) did not wish blood should be shed. The Message The supplication was answered. Gabriel came and told the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) that Hatib, one of the Muhajirin, who had fought at Badr, had learned of his intention and sent a letter to the Koraysh via a woman from the Muzaynah who was traveling to Mecca to inform them. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) sent Ali and Zubair after her and upon catching her up they searched her baggage but could not find the letter. The Companions realized that the woman must have hidden the letter on her person and told her that if she did not produce it voluntarily, they would be forced to make a body search. Not wishing to be searched, the woman unloosened her hair and produced the letter she had concealed in it and gave it to them. “Do Whatever You Will, I Have Forgiven You”. When the Companions returned to Medina, Hatib was sent for and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) asked, "Why did you do this Hatib?" "O Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam)," replied Hatib, "I believe in Allah and His Messenger, my belief has not changed -- nothing else has taken its place. I have no influence amongst the people of Mecca like other people so for the sake of my son and family who remain there, I sought their favor." Omar was outraged and exclaimed, "O Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), let me do away with him, he is a hypocrite!" But the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) gently reminded him saying: "Omar, don't you know that Allah looked upon the men of Badr and said, 'Do whatever you will, I have forgiven you?'" The Month of Ramadan Ramadan was fast approaching and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) sent his envoys to allied, trustworthy tribes calling upon them to meet him in Medina at the beginning of the month. The allied tribes responded in full force so that the Prophet's force was greater than ever before, however, their final destination remained unknown to even their chieftains. Only those severely incapacitated remained in Medina, Now the combined forces of nearly ten thousand set out upon their march, as for their destination, it still remained a secret. The Compassion of the Prophet The march to Mecca was never easy, and now that Ramadan had come it would prove very tiring for some, so after they had set out Prophet Muhammad (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), who always promoted the moderate way, sent word to the Muslims saying, "Whosoever wishes to keep the fast, let him keep it, but whosoever wishes to break it, let him break it." For Allah permits the breaking of the fast for those on a journey and allows the lost days to be made up later on, however, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and many others decided to continue to fast. “(Fast) a certain number of days, but if any one of you is ill or on a journey let him (fast) a similar number of days later on; and for those who are unable (to fast), there is a ransom the feeding of a needy person….. “ Koran 2:184 Al-Abbas, the Last to Migrate Leaves Mecca for Medina Halfway to Mecca, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) called for a halt and it was there that the Prophet's uncle, Al-Abbas, his wife Umm Fadl and sons joined him. A few days prior to this, Al-Abbas decided it was time that he made known his secret that he was a Muslim, so he and his wife Umm Fadl, who was the second lady to embrace Islam, packed as much as they could to take with them and left Mecca in secret for Medina not knowing that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was at that very moment marching towards Mecca. Upon reaching the Prophet's camp Al-Abbas asked to be taken to him, it was a great reunion and happiness swelled their hearts. After, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) told Al-Abbas that as his own prophethood was the last of all prophethoods, so had Al-Abbas' migration been the last of migrations. Shortly after arrangements were made for Umm Fadl to be accompanied to Medina whilst her husband and sons joined their fellow Muslims in the preparation for the forthcoming siege. When the army reached Kudayd, the Prophet's army was joined by the nine hundred strong cavalry of the tribe of Sulaym who pledged their support and informed him of their prowess on the battlefield. Still, none except a privileged few knew their final destination. The Prophet Breaks his Fast When the army reached a placed called Marr Az Zahran, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) broke his fast and ordered those who had maintained the fast to break theirs so that they might regain their strength. Speculation was rife, for Marr Az Zahran lay on the route to not only Mecca, which was but two days away, or one if they force-marched, but also to the land of the very hostile tribe of Hawazin, but then there was always the possibility that their destination might be Ta'if. The matter of their destination was on the tongues of many and so Ka'b, Malik's son, composed a short verse in which he did not directly ask the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) for the name of their destination but arranged its words in such a way that the message was delivered in a courteous manner. It was not time to divulge their destination and so the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) just smiled and Ka'b returned without an answer. The Thakif News of the Prophet's army reached the people of Ta'if who feared an attack on their temple dedicated to their idol, al-lat. The Thakif sent an urgent letter to the neighboring tribes of Hawazin in the Najd informing them of the Prophet's advance. All but a few acted upon the call to arms and soon their armies began to assemble at a vantage point to the north of Ta'if and waited in vain. The Bonfires Meanwhile, as the army approached Mecca, the ten thousand strong army of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was ordered to spread itself out, encircle Mecca and light bonfires as soon as night fell. As night fell the fires were lit, and the Koraysh were engulfed in panic as cries of alarm rang throughout the City. Until that very moment, Allah had prevented any of its citizens from learning of their presence, and none knew to whom the bonfires belonged. Abu Sufyan tried his best to ascertain to whom the bonfires belonged but to no avail. Speculation was rampant, some thought that it might be the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) then discounted it on account of the size of the army and many assumed it to be some other force. In the darkness of the night, Abu Sufyan accompanied by Lady Khadijah's nephew, Hakim, who had tried to prevent the Koraysh from fighting at Badr, and Budayl from the tribe of Khuzah, rode out of Mecca together to determine who it was that had surrounded the City. As they approached the camp they saw a man riding a white mule coming toward them -- it was Al-Abbas. Peace Rather Than War The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) had sent Al-Abbas on to Mecca bearing a message. When Al-Abbas met Abu Sufyan he told him that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) had come to Mecca with an enormous army, however, it was not his wish to fight, rather, it was to enter Mecca peacefully. Al-Abbas advised him that in his opinion it would be far better to surrender rather than to fight. The Prophet Meets Abu Sufyan Abu Sufyan asked to meet with the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) so Al-Abbas gave him his protection and took him to him. As they made their way through the camp Omar recognized Abu Sufyan and cried out for all to hear, "Its Abu Sufyan, the enemy of Allah!" and ran after him with the intent to kill him. However, Abu Sufyan's mount was too swift for Omar and they reached the Prophet's tent a little ahead of him. As Omar entered the Prophet's tent he asked his permission to kill Abu Sufyan on account of the many Muslim lives that had been lost under his hand and command, but Al-Abbas intervened saying that Abu Sufyan was under his protection and so Omar became quite. Abu Sufyan started to present his case saying, "Muhammad, you have come here with a strange assortment of men against your kinsmen; some I know, others I do not." Before Abu Sufyan could continued, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) spoke saying, "You broke the treaty of Hudaybiyah, assisting the attack on the kinsmen of Ka'b. You also violated the Holy Precinct and the House of Allah." Abu Sufyan said weakly, "Would that you had turned your anger against the Hawazin, they are not as close in kinship, and stronger in their hatred of you." The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) replied, "Allah willing, He will grant me all of that by victory in Mecca and with the triumph of Islam there, and that by routing the Hawazin, He will enrich me with their property and families as captives." Then the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) addressed the three men with kindly encouragement saying, "Bear witness that there is no god except Allah, and that I am the Messenger of Allah." Hakim and Budayl embraced Islam without further hesitation, but Abu Sufyan remained silent. Abu Sufyan Embraces Islam Abu Sufyan was taken to Al-Abbas' tent where he spent the night in safety. The next morning Abu Sufyan was taken to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) who asked him, "Abu Sufyan, don't you realize that there is no god except Allah?" In a meek voice Abu Sufyan replied, "If there had been another, he would by now, have helped me." The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) continued, "Abu Sufyan, isn't it time you understood that I am truly the Messenger of Allah?" Abu Sufyan did not reply immediately, but then commented referring to the protection he had received despite Omar's request, "I know you to be a generous, forgiving man, however, I am still unsure." Al-Abbas, had remained silent until that moment now turned to Abu Sufyan and said, "Why not believe now as I do." There was another silent pause, then, in a clear voice Abu Sufyan proclaimed, "I bear witness that there is no god except Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah." It was a time for thanksgiving. Now that Abu Sufyan had become a Muslim, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) asked him to return to Mecca and inform its citizens that they would enter Mecca the following morning, and Abu Sufyan agreed. The Upholding of Abu Sufyan's Honor Abu Sufyan was a proud man and had commanded the rest of his fellow Koraysh tribesmen for many years, with this in mind Al-Abbas now approached the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) with a suggestion that would ease the situation for him. The suggestion was that Abu Sufyan be given a position of honor. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), never wishing to belittle anyone, agreed and spoke now to Abu Sufyan saying, "Inform your people that when we arrive, anyone seeking refuge in your house will be protected and those who remain in their homes or within the precincts of Ka’bah will also be protected.” The Peaceful Opening of Mecca Until now, the banners and flags of the various tribes remained folded. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) now called for them to be brought to him and then presented them to chosen bearers. Before Abu Sufyan returned to Mecca the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) instructed Al-Abbas to take him to the narrow end of the pass so that he could witness for himself the size of the army as it passed by. One by one the tribes passed through, then one in particular caught Abu Sufyan's attention and he asked, "Who is that?" Al-Abbas replied it was Khalid, Waleed's son. When Khalid reached Abu Sufyan he exalted Allah three times saying, "Allahu Akbar - Allah is the Greatest!" Khalid rode with the tribe of Sulaym who were followed by Zubayr, wearing a yellow turban, leading five hundred Muhajirin as well as some others. He also exalted Allah as he passed Abu Sufyan and soon the whole valley took up the exaltation so that it echoed throughout the valley. One by one the troops passed by and Abu Sufyan was astounded to see so very many tribes over which the Koraysh had no influence, but moreover he witnessed many a tribe that had until recently been hostile to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) marching with them together as one army. Abu Sufyan could not help but exclaim, "Of all the Arabs, these were among the most ardent enemies of Muhammad!" Al-Abbas smiled and said, "Allah has caused Islam to enter their hearts -- all this is by the Mercy of Allah." The Prophet's own contingent of Ansar and Muhajirin, heavily clad in armor were led by Sa’ad, Ubayydah's son brought up the rear. As Sa’ad, Ubayydah’s son passed Abu Sufyan he called to him saying, "Abu Sufyan, this is the day of slaughter! The day of the abasement of the Koraysh by Allah!" and this troubled Abu Sufyan deeply. Sa’ad, Son of Ubayydah and the Banner The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) rode upon Kaswa in the middle of the contingent accompanied by Abu Bakr and Usayd. As he passed Abu Sufyan, Abu Sufyan called to him saying, "O Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), have you ordered the death of your people?" then repeated the disturbing words Sa’ad the son of Ubayydah had uttered. Abu Sufyan continued, "I plead with you by Allah for your people, for you of all men are the greatest in piety and very merciful." The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) laid his fear to rest saying, "This is the day of mercy, the day in which Allah has raised the Koraysh." Abdur Rahman and Othman then spoke to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) saying, "O Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) there is a possibility that Sa’ad will attack the Koraysh." The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) shared their concern so he sent word to Sa’ad that he should hand over the banner to his son, Qays. When Sa’ad received the message he was unsure whether the message was correct so he told its bearer that he would not hand it to his son until he received proof that it was from the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). When the message was relayed to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) he unwound the red turban from his helmet and sent it to him, and Sa’ad, without the least hesitation, handed the banner to his son. Abu Sufyan's Return Now that the army had passed by Abu Sufyan returned to Mecca and went directly to the hill of Safa where he called upon the Koraysh to join him there. No sooner had they gathered than he spoke saying, "The fires we saw around us last night were those of Muhammad and his followers. He has come here with an extremely large army, we are grossly outnumbered; there are too many of them to fight! Therefore, I advise you to surrender. He has told me that those who seek refuge in my house, or choose to stay in their own homes, or within the precincts of Ka’bah have been granted safety." Hind, Abu Sufyan's wife grabbed her husband by his moustache saying, "Kill this good-for-nothing man -- you are a wretched protector of your people!" Abu Sufyan retorted, "Do not let this woman deceive you against your better judgment, because what is coming cannot be resisted!" Part of the crowd took heed of Abu Sufyan's warning and dispersed, some took refuge in the Holy precincts whereas others mocked him and Ikrimah Abu Jahl’s son, Safwan Umayyah’s son and Suhayl Amr’s son grouped together with some other young men and went to a place called Khandama in an effort to resist. Ramadan 21st 8H It was now the 21st day of Ramadan 8H, and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and his army approached Mecca. Later on in the day the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) called upon his army and placed Khalid in command on the right to enter from the lower elevation and gave the banner and command to Az-Zubair Awwan’s son to enter from the left at the higher elevation. Abu Ubayydah was given the command to enter from the valley from which the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) himself would enter. Each were given strict instructions that there should be no blood shed except in the case of self-defense. As Khalid entered the center of Mecca he met with hostile resistance and fighting broke out. Twelve Koraysh were killed and two Muslims were martyred. Abu Bakr's Father Soon after Abu Sufyan's speech, Abu Bakr's blind, elderly father, Abu Kuhafah asked his daughter Kuraybah to guide him up onto of the hill of Abu Kubays where she would be able to keep him informed of the events that were about to unfold. Abu Kuhafah had witnessed so many things during his life time, he had been in Mecca when Abraha attempted to destroy Ka’bah with the elephant's might, and now he was about to witness its opening. Kuraybah described the scene to her father with the division of the Muslim army so he asked her to take him back home. Ikrimah, Safwan and Suhayl as well as several other hostile Koraysh warriors had grouped together at Khandama with some allies from the Bakr and Hudhayl tribes but soon realized their effort would be futile so Ikrimah and Safwan escaped, whilst Suhayl retreated to his house and locked himself inside. The Opening of Mecca Part 1 064 Back Cover Subtitles The Tribes of Bakr and Khuzah Abu Sufyan Journeys to Medina Abu Sufyan Attempts to Enlist the Support of his Muslim Family The Road to Mecca The Message “Do Whatever You Will, I Have Forgiven You”. The Month of Ramadan The Compassion of the Prophet Al-Abbas, the Last to Migrate Leaves Mecca for Medina The Prophet Breaks his Fast The Thakif The Bonfires Peace Rather Than War The Prophet Meets Abu Sufyan Abu Sufyan Embraces Islam The Upholding of Abu Sufyan's Honor The Peaceful Opening of Mecca Sa’ad, Son of Ubadah and the Banner Abu Sufyan's Return Ramadan 21st Abu Bakr's Father