In this episode, we become familiar with the conquest of Mecca by Muslims.

In the conquest of Mecca, the truthfulness and commitment of the Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny), toward Hodaibiah peace agreement, and the disunity of polytheists and their violation of this agreement became evident. Study of this phase in time shows the prudence and expertise of the Prophet of Islam in the conquest of the strongest fortification of enemies of Islam. Prophet of Islam, as a powerful commander, planned the conquest of Mecca such that Muslims achieved their biggest victory without any difficulty.

As it was said, an accord, popularly known as Hodaibiah Peace Agreement, was concluded between the leaders of Qoraish and Prophet Mohammad in the year 6th AH. The third article of this agreement pointed out that Muslims and members of Qoraish can establish alliances with any tribe. Based on this article, Khozaa’eh Tribe allied with Muslims and the Prophet shouldered the responsibility of protection of their land, lives, and belongings. The Bani Bakr Tribe, who were the arch-enemy of Khozaa’eh Tribe also allied with Qoraish. In accordance to Hodaibiah peace agreement, polytheists of Qoarish, and Muslims agreed on a ten-year-long cessation of hostility. Based on this agreement, the parties to this accord pledged not to stage an armed conflict against each other and not to provoke the allies of one party against the allies of the other party to this agreement. The year after the conclusion of this agreement, Muslims freely went to Mecca, observing the Minor Hajj Pilgrimage and pilgrimage of Holy Ka’ba before the very eyes of thousands of idolaters.

Two years had passed since the conclusion of Hodaibiah peace agreement, and the parties to this agreement observed the cessation of hostility. Meanwhile, some factors led polytheists to imagine that the Islamic troops and Muslims were undermined and demoralized. Thus, polytheists decided to sabotage the peace agreement. They provided arms for Bani Bakr Tribe and provoked them to ambush Khozaa’eh Tribe, who had allied with Muslims. Meanwhile, Qoraish and polytheists of Mecca even put one step further and participated in a nightly ambush against Khozaa’eh Tribe, thereby violating Hodaibiah peace agreement. In this manner, two years of peace turned into bloodshed and war. As the consequence of this nightly ambush, a number of members of Khozaa’eh Tribe were killed and held captive, while a number of others were driven out of their homes and hearths and sought shelter in Mecca.

The members of Khozaa’eh Tribe sent their tribal leader, Amr Saalam, to Medina to enter the mosque and approach to Prophet of Islam. Over there, Khozaa’eh tribal leader informed the Prophet that the polytheists of Qoraish, who were signatories to cessation of hostility, staged a nightly ambush on his tribe, slaughtering Muslim members of Khozaa’eh Tribe. These remarks influenced the Prophet and Muslims, while the Prophet pledged assistance to Khozaa’eh tribal leader. Prophet’s vow calmed Amr down. However, Amr never imagined that the revenge of Khozaa’eh Tribe would be taken by the conquest of Mecca and ouster of the suppressive rule of Qoraish.

Meanwhile, polytheists of Qoraish regretted their misdeed. They remembered they had breached Hodaibiah peace agreement. Hence, in order to prevent a possible attack by Muslims, they sent their leading figure, Abu Sofyaan, to Medina to somehow cover up their violation of the peace agreement. Abu Sofyaan approached the Prophet and spoke about the extension and solidification of the peace agreement. However, he faced the muted reaction of the Prophet of Islam. Abu Sofyaan tried to once again contact the Prophet, with the mediation of the Prophet’s disciples, to somehow attain his goal. However, his efforts were useless.

Study of the policy of Prophet Mohammad, shows that the Prophet of Islam always tried to make enemies realize righteousness and to submit to it. The Prophet was well aware that if obstacles would be removed from the path of Islam, the powerful logic of Islam would be highly influential in a free environment. Prophet believed that if Mecca was conquered, war and conflicts would terminate, calm would be restored, and the groups which maintained enmity toward Islam would be attracted to monotheism and would join the followers of Islam.

After Abu Sofyaan left Medina, the Prophet of Islam declared public mobilization for the conquest of Mecca and ouster of the suppressive rule of Qoraish. Muslims enthusiastically and positively responded to this call. After a short while, a 10,000-strong Islamic army was prepared, and the Prophet, in the company of disciples and Muslim forces, left Medina for Mecca in the holy month of Ramadan. The Islamic troops were well-organized and complied with military tactics. Upon nightfall, in the proximity of Mecca, the Prophet instructed Muslim soldiers to spread across the desert and light up torches. The Prophet intended to make polytheists realize the grandeur of the Islamic troops and to force polytheists to submit without any bloodshed. The grandeur of the Islamic troops immensely frightened Abu Sofyaan.

Abu Sofyaan, in the company of Prophet Mohammad’s uncle, Abbas, approached the Prophet of Islam and held talks with the Prophet. Meanwhile, the Prophet invited Abu Sofyaan to divine religion of Islam.

Abu Sofyaan who was the leading polytheist of Mecca, upon returning to this city, addressed Meccans, noting that the Islamic troops were fully equipped and would soon surround Mecca, while stating that Mohammad had vowed safety for anyone who would go to Al-Ahram Mosque and Ka’ba, and/or would lay down his arms.

Ultimately, Muslim troops reached a location in the proximity of Mecca. The houses of Mecca were at sight. The city remained silent. The Prophet divided the Islamic troops into four groups, and plans were made for each group to enter Mecca from a particular point. The Prophet instructed his military commanders not to battle or kill anyone, unless they were attacked. In this manner, the powerful 10,000-strong Islamic troops entered Mecca from four locations, under the motto of kindness and forgiveness, and with the First Infallible Imam of the Prophet of Islam’s Household, Imam Ali (Peace be upon him) as the flag-bearer of Muslim troops.

The Prophet of Islam, who was wearing armor and was mounted on a camel, entered Mecca, in the company of Islamic troops. He first ascended an altitude, which loomed over the houses of Mecca. Upon glancing at those homes, he thanked God and remembered his memories. He remembered that many injustices were imposed upon him and his disciples in Mecca, forcing them to leave their homeland. Then, the Prophet thought of the appropriate conditions which were currently shaped for him and his disciples. Muslim troops had gloriously entered Mecca without any confrontation with Qoraish, and a major victory was registered for the sacred religion of Islam. The Prophet of Islam, in the company of Muslim troops, entered Mecca, and visited the tomb of his venerable uncle, Abu Taleb. The Prophet praised God Almighty, while also reciting Fath Surah of Holy Quran and immediately heading to circle and pilgrimage the Holy Ka’ba. That day was Friday, 20th of the holy month of Ramadan of the year 8th AH.