Event of the Opening of Mecca
Mecca, the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), is where his mission commenced. However, he was unable to establish his state there, prompting him to seek a suitable location to build a community that would disseminate the message of Islam. This led him to Medina, where he founded the Islamic state. Nevertheless, the hostility of the Meccans towards Islam did not cease with the Prophet’s departure; instead, it escalated into a military confrontation.
This struggle gradually began to favor the believers until the Quraysh tribe recognized their inability to eradicate the Muslim presence. Consequently, both parties engaged in a peace treaty, which stipulated that any individual from the Arab tribes wishing to join either side could do so. The Banu Khazaa’ah joined the Muslims, while the Banu Bakr allied with the Quraysh.
In Ramadan of the eighth year of Hijra, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) led an army towards Mecca. As they approached the outskirts, some Meccan leaders came out to greet them, including Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him). Following him, Abu Sufyan, the leader of Mecca, converted to Islam (may Allah be pleased with him) and was astounded by the strength of the Muslim army. He returned to Mecca, urging the people to refrain from resisting the formidable Islamic force, as they could not withstand it.
Upon hearing this, his wife Hind began to call for his death. However, Abu Sufyan addressed the people, stating, “Woe to you! Do not let this deceive you; indeed, that which has come upon you is beyond your ability to confront. Whoever enters the house of Abu Sufyan is safe.” The Quraysh retorted, “May Allah curse you! What safety does your house offer us?” He replied, “Whoever closes his door is safe, and whoever enters the mosque is safe.” The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had instructed him to say these words to protect lives, and he specifically mentioned them due to Abu Sufyan’s pride, as noted by Abbas.
As the Prophet continued his march with the army, he divided them into several groups to enter from different directions and instructed them to engage only those who attacked them. The Muslim army entered Mecca with minimal conflict, except for a skirmish involving Khalid ibn al-Walid, who encountered a group of Quraysh fighters led by Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl and Suhayl ibn Amr (may Allah be pleased with them), both of whom had not yet converted to Islam.
Causes of the Opening of Mecca
The circumstances leading up to the Muslim conquest of Mecca indicated an imminent takeover. The direct catalyst, however, was an attack by the Banu Bakr tribe on the Banu Khazaa’ah, during which they killed a number of individuals, including Muslims who were praying. The Quraysh supported the Banu Bakr in this aggression, which constituted a breach of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. Once the news reached the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), he assembled a formidable army of ten thousand warriors to march on Mecca, keeping the objective undisclosed to the public to ensure an element of surprise.
Outcomes of the Opening of Mecca
The aftermath of the Opening of Mecca can be summarized as follows:
- The conversion of the people of Mecca to Islam.
- The establishment of Muslim control over the sacred city of Mecca.
- The destruction of idols and images surrounding and inside the Kaaba.
- The submission of most of the Arabian Peninsula to the power of the Muslims, with many embracing the faith upon witnessing the Quraysh and Mecca under the authority of Islam.