THE JOURNEY OF A LIFETIME WITH PROPHET MUHAMMAD THE PROPHET OF ALLAH 065 THE OPENING OF MECCA Part 2 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 2 The Prophet's Peaceful Entry into Mecca The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) entered his beloved Mecca riding Kaswa. As he entered the Holy Precincts in a state of sincere humility praising and thanking Allah he bowed his head so low that his beard almost touched the back of Kaswa. Soon, after he drew her to a halt, dismounted, then prostrated, and continued to praise and thank Allah for His victory. His pious actions did not go unnoticed by the Koraysh and they began to realize that the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) had indeed come in compassionate peace. Preachers not Fighters Just then, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) caught sight of Khalid's men whose swords still remained drawn after they had been forced to protect themselves just a short while before, and said, "Didn't I forbid fighting?" However, when he was told of the circumstances, he said, "Allah has decreed it for the best." In the meantime, the Prophet's tent had been erected within sight of Ka’bah and it was there that his wives, Ladies Umm Salamah, Maymunah and daughter Lady Fatima awaited him together with his cousin Umm Hani who had come to intercede for two of her kinsmen. The Intercession of Umm Hani Two of Umm Hani's kinsmen by marriage -- one of whom was the brother of the infamous Abu Jahl -- had taken part in the attack against Khalid and had sought refuge with her in her home. When Ali learned she was in Mecca, he had gone to her home to greet her, but as he entered he saw them and had drawn his sword. Umm Hani exclaimed that he must not kill them as she had given them her protection and threw a cloak between them saying, "By Allah, you will have to kill me first!" and so honorably Ali sheathed his sword and left. Umm Hani now waited in the Prophet's tent to intercede for her kinsmen’s lives. As the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) entered he greeted his cousin affectionately and she told him what had happened, whereupon he informed her that whosoever she made safe would be protected. This set the Islamic standard that when a Muslim gives safety to non-Muslim for a good reason, it is to be upheld. The Prophet Performs the Rites around Ka'bah After having taken the major ablution, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) offered eight units of prayer, then rested for a while. A while later he asked for is camel to be brought to him. Then he donned his armor and helmet, leaving his visor up, buckled his sword and carried a staff in his hand, and mounted his camel. As he left his tent several of those who had accompanied him in the morning had lined up outside waiting for him to come out and together they made their way to the Ka’bah. As they approached the Ka’bah, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) rode to its south-east corner and reverently touched the Black Stone with his staff as he exalted Allah, and the exaltation was then taken up by those by his side. Soon the exaltation of "Allahu Akbar" was taken up by all the Muslims and rang throughout the Holy City until the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) gestured to them to be silent. Then, Muhammad, Masalamah's son from the tribe of Aws, took hold of Kaswa's bridle as the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) circumambulated Ka’bah seven times. The custodianship of the supply of water for pilgrims and the keys to Ka’bah were ordered to be given to Othman, Talha’s son and thereafter to his descendants until the end of time. A Pocket of Resistance As the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) circumambulate around the Ka’bah, Fadala had the intention to kill him. As he drew near the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) much to his surprise inquired, "Is it Fadala?" and Fadala replied that it was. Then the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) asked, "What were you saying to yourself?" Fadala replied, "Nothing." The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) just laughed and asked Allah to forgive him and placed his hand upon his chest and his heart became still. Fadala said, "By Allah, as soon as he lifted it, Allah had not created anyone more beloved to me than him." No Matter who We Are, All the Children of Adam Are Equal By now, many Koraysh had left their homes to join the Muslims around the Ka’bah and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) spoke to them saying, "There is no god except Allah, He has no partner." Then he called upon them saying, "O people of the Koraysh do not be proud, all people are equal. We are all the children of Adam, and Adam was created from dust." Then he recited a verse from the Koran that reads: "People, We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes that you might know one another. The noblest of you before Allah is the most righteous of you. Allah is the Knower, the Aware." Koran 49:13 After the recitation he addressed the Koraysh saying, "O people of the Koraysh, what do you think I am going to do with you?" There was a silent pause, then, someone said, "You will treat us as a kind kinsman or as a merciful brother would." Thereupon the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) quoted the words of Prophet Joseph saying: "I shall ask my Lord to forgive you. He is Forgiving, the Most Merciful." Koran 12:98 The Few Who were not Pardoned All except eleven men and six women were immediately pardoned that day. However, from their number were seven men and four women who embraced Islam and were subsequently pardoned; because when a person embraces Islam all previous sins are forgiven by Allah. Amongst those who were not pardoned was Abdul Uzza, son of Khatl, who, after embracing Islam some years before in Medina, had taken the name Abdullah. During this time the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) entrusted Abdullah with the honored position of collecting, from a certain tribe, the obligatory charity of Ramadan, however, he became arrogant, abused his authority and killed a serving Muslim simply because his meals were not served on time. Abdullah knew there was a severe penalty to pay for killing another Muslim and had feared that if he returned to Medina he would be put to death on account of the gravity of his sin, so instead he went to Mecca where he renounced Islam. The son of Khatl was not content to renounce Islam, he had seized every opportunity to attempt to degrade the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and had purchased two slave girls to sing songs that ridiculed and mocked our beloved Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). On this special day, a Companion happened to notice the son of Khatl clinging to the black cloth covering Ka’bah, so he told the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam). The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) informed the Companion that the son of Khatl was not amongst those to be pardoned and so he was taken out of Mecca and put to death. Another unbeliever who was put to death was Miqyas, son of Sababa. Miqyas had converted to Islam however, an Ansar accidentally killed his brother Hisham. Despite the fact that Miqyas accepted the payment of blood money the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) had made he was not placated so he killed the Ansar, apostatized and fled to Mecca. The New Converts Later on that day, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) made his way to the hill of Safa and the mixed crowd of Muslims and those whom Allah had just blessed to let Islam sway their hearts, followed him. There, the new converts took his noble hand and professed their belief as they swore their allegiance before him. Amongst those to convert was Hind, who, only an hour or two before, rebuked her husband for his stance. She came to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) with her face veiled as she feared, rather than expecting his mercy, that he might order her death before she had a chance to embrace Islam. It was only after she embraced Islam she dared to raise her veil and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) welcomed her. Ikrimah's wife, Umm Hakim also embraced Islam and begged the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to protect her husband even though he had just led the attack against Khalid. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) pardoned him and Umm Hakim asked permission to leave to go and find him then bring him back. Ever caring, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) was aware that Utbah and Muttalib, the last of the sons of his uncle Abu Lahab, were not present and asked Al-Abbas, "Al-Abbas, where are your brother's two sons, Utbah and Muttalib? I have not seen them?" Utbah had married the late Lady Rukiyah but his father forced him to divorce her before the marriage was consummated and it appeared that they were afraid to present themselves, so Al-Abbas was asked to bring them to him. When they arrived, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) took them by the hand and walked with them to a part of the wall of Ka’bah called Al Multazam, which lies between the Black Stone and the door of Ka’bah. There, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) supplicated at length to Allah and as he finished supplicating joy was evident upon his face. Al-Abbas remarked upon his apparent joy whereupon the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) replied, "I asked my Lord to give me these two sons of my uncle, and He has given them to me." The Humility of the Prophet Abu Bakr had left the presence of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to visit his father and soon returned with both his father and sister. When the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) saw them he asked out of concern, “Abu Bakr, why didn't you leave him in his house so that I might go to him?" Abu Bakr replied, "O Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam), it is more fitting that he comes to you than you go to him." The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) invited Abu Bakr's father to sit beside him and received them into the fold of Islam. The Miracle of the Destruction of the Idols The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) pointed his staff toward the three hundred and sixty-five idols whose feet had been reinforced with lead and then mounted in stone and had been positioned in and around the Ka’bah and recited: "Say: 'Truth has come and falsehood has vanished. Indeed, falsehood will certainly vanish.'" Koran 17:81 He pointed at each one individually, but did not touch them, and whenever he pointed at the face of an idol it fell on its back and when he pointed to its back it fell on its face until each and every one of them was destroyed. Now that this had been accomplished, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) then ordered anyone who had an idol in their home to destroy it. Following this the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and his followers went to the Ka’bah and purified it, then, he asked Bilal to climb to its roof and call the believers to prayer, and so the prayer was offered. After the prayer, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) spoke to the congregation saying: "On the day Allah created the heavens and earth He made Mecca Holy. It is the most Holy place until the Day of Resurrection. It is unlawful for those who believe in Allah and the Last Day to shed blood in it, or to cut down trees therein. However, Allah has permitted me to do it for an hour. Mecca is now restored to its former Holiness. Let those present go forth and tell others." Suhayl As the Koraysh were embracing Islam, Suhayl had remained in his home. He was aware an amnesty was in effect but did not suppose himself to be included so he asked his son, Abdullah, to go to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to see if he could intervene for him. When Abdullah approached the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) he responded mercifully assuring him that he was safe saying, "He is safe under the protection of Allah, let him come to me." Then he turned to his Companions and told them not to look upon Suhayl harshly when they met him. He also told them that Suhayl was an intelligent and honorable man, not one to be blinded against the truth of Islam. And so Suhayl was free to come and go as he pleased, however, he chose not to enter Islam at that time. Safwan Wahb son of Umair spoke to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) about his cousin, Safwan, and the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) had no hesitation and agreed to give him respite for two months. As a token of reassurance, the Prophet gave Wahb his cloak to give to Safwan to prove the message was genuine. With this news Wahb set out in search of his cousin. He finally caught up with him at Shuayba -- the nearest port to Mecca -- awaiting a boat. Wahb told him of the Prophet's respite but Safwan was suspicious however, when Wahb showed him the cloak of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) he knew that the promise of a respite for two months was genuine and the two returned together to Mecca. Upon reaching Mecca, Safwan went to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and said, referring to the proposal, "Wahb tells me that if I agree to something, all well and good, but if I do not you have given me two months' respite." The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) spoke to him gently and replied, "Stay here." But Safwan replied, "Not until you have given me a definite answer!" "You shall have four months' respite," replied the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) and so Safwan agreed to stay in Mecca. Ikrimah Meanwhile, Ikrimah had reached Yemen and it was there that his wife caught up with him. They talked at some length and Umm Hakim presented Islam to Ikrimah and he embraced Islam so the couple set out together on their return journey to Mecca. The Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) knew Ikrimah was about to arrive and compassionately told his Companions, "Ikrimah, the son of Abu Jahl is coming to you, as a believer. Do not revile his father because reviling the dead is offensive to the living and does not affect the dead." When the Messenger of Allah (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) saw Ikrimah he was overjoyed, such was his haste that he forgot to put on his cloak as he rushed to welcome him, and Ikrimah renewed his belief in Islam at the hand of the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) . Whereupon Ikrimah asked the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to supplicate to Allah for His forgiveness on account of the enmity he had once held towards him, and so the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) supplicated for him. Maximizing Goodness After the supplication Ikrimah mentioned all the money he had spent in an effort to prevent the spread of Islam as well as the money he spent on the wars he waged against the Muslims. He now told the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) that from now onward he would spend double that amount on Islam and fight with double the effort in the Way of Allah; Ikrimah was true to his word. Amr, Salamah's Son Upon the Opening of Mecca many tribes came to pledge their allegiance to the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) amongst whom was Salamah, the father of Amr. After having embraced Islam, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) instructed Salamah to tell his tribe that they should make the call to prayer and offer the five daily prayers and that the person who knew most of the Koran should be the one to lead them in prayer. Salamah asked each of his tribesmen but the one who knew most was no other than his young son Amr who had taken part in the blockade that warned of the Prophet's presence several years before, and whose heart had been touched by the recitation he had heard from returning caravans from Mecca. Amr was only a young boy of six or seven at that time and was accustomed to wearing a short waist-wrapper the like of which all boys of similar age wore. When it was made known that he was to lead them in the prayer because of his memorization of the Koran, a lady from his tribe said it would be more respectful for him to wear a long shirt that would cover him properly and so a shirt was made for him and this made Amr very happy. The Destruction of the Temple of Al-Uzza Now that Mecca had been opened, the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) sent Khalid during the month of Ramadan 8H to destroy the infamous temple of the idol Al-Uzza in Nakhlah that attracted many pagan pilgrims. When its priestess who would impersonate Al-Uzza heard of Khalid's approach she went into the temple, hung her sword on the statue then called upon Al-Uzza to defend herself then ran out of the temple. As Khalid approached, he saw a naked black woman come running out of the temple with her hair flying in all directions. Khalid experienced no resistance from its town’s people and soon the temple lay in ruins and its idol smashed into unrecognizable pieces. Now that his mission was over he returned to Mecca. Upon his return to Mecca, Khalid told the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi was sallam) about the woman he had seen whereupon the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) told him she was the woman who assumed the character of Al-Uzza. The Destruction of the Idol Suwa Later on during Ramadan Amr, Al-'As son was sent to a temple outside Mecca to destroy the idol Suwa, worshipped by the tribesmen of Hudhail. Amr was met by the guardian of the temple who asked the purpose of his visit. Amr replied that he had been ordered by the Prophet (salla Allahu alihi wa sallam) to destroy its idol whereupon the guardian being so convinced that the idol was indestructible told Amr that it would be impossible for him to do. Amr then struck the idol and destroyed it; next he broke the casket beside the idol and to the amazement of the guardian found nothing in it. Upon the realization he had been deceived for many years, the guardian had no hesitation in embracing Islam, saying, “I believe in Allah.” The Opening of Mecca Part 2 065 Back Cover Subtitles The Prophet's Peaceful Entry into Mecca Preachers not Fighters The Intercession of Umm Hani The Prophet Performs the Rites around Ka'bah A Pocket of Resistance No Matter who We Are, All the Children of Adam Are Equal The Few Who were not Pardoned The New Converts The Humility of the Prophet The Miracle of the Destruction of the Idols Suhayl Safwan Ikrimah Maximizing Goodness Amr, Salamah's Son The Destruction of the Temple of Al-Uzza The Destruction of the Idol Suwa