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polytheists, went out to reconnoiter. Before they got near the camp, they met 'Abbas, the Prophet's
uncle. He apprised Abu Sufyan of the situation and advised him to accept Islam and persuade his
people to surrender before Muhammad peace be upon him; otherwise, his head would be struck off.
Under the prevailing compelling circumstances, Abu Sufyan went in the company of 'Abbas seeking
the Prophet's peace be upon him audience. The Muslims were furious to see Abu Sufyan and wanted
to kill him on the spot. But the two men managed, not without difficulties, to see the Messenger of
Allâh peace be upon him who advised that they see him the following day. The Prophet peace be
upon him addressed Abu Sufyan saying: "Woe to you! Isn't it time for you to bear witness to the
Oneness of Allâh and Prophethood of Muhammad?" Here, the archenemy of Islam began to beseech
the Prophet peace be upon him in the most earnest words that testify to the Prophet's generosity
and mild temper begging for pardon and forgiveness, and professing wholeheartedly the new faith.
On request by 'Abbas, the Prophet peace be upon him, in the context of the general amnesty he
proclaimed, gave Abu Sufyan, who had a liking for bragging, a special privilege, saying: "He who
takes refuge in Abu Sufyan's house is safe; whosoever confines himself to his house, the inmates
thereof shall be in safety, and he who enters the Sacred Mosque is safe."
On the morning of Tuesday, 17th. Ramadan, 8 A.H., the Prophet peace be upon him left Mar Az-
Zahran. He ordered Al-'Abbas to detain Abu Sufyan at a commanding gorge that could afford a full
view of the Muslim army parading on its way towards Makkah, and hence give him the chance to
see the great and powerful soldiers of Allâh. The different tribes successively passed with their
banners flown up, until at last the battalion of the Emigrants and Helpers with the Prophet peace be
upon him at their head heavily armed marched by. Abu Sufyan began to wonder who those people
were, to which Al-'Abbas told him that they were Muhammad peace be upon him and his
Companions. Abu Sufyan said that no army however powerful could resist those people and
addressing Al-'Abbas, he said: "I swear by Allâh that the sovereignty of your brother's son has
become too powerful to withstand." Al-'Abbas answered, "It is rather the power of Prophethood," to
which the former agreed.
Sa'd bin 'Ubadah carried the flag of the Helpers. When he passed by Abu Sufyan, he said "Today will
witness the great fight, you cannot seek sanctuary at Al-Ka'bah. Today will witness the humiliation
of Quraish." Abu Sufyan complainedabout this to the Prophet peace be upon him who got angry and
said "Nay, today Al-Ka'bah will be sanctified, and Quraish honoured," and quickly ordered that Sa'd
should be stripped off the flag, and that it should be entrusted to his son Qais, in another version, to
Az-Zubair.
Al-'Abbas urged Abu Sufyan to hasten into Makkah and warn the Quraishites against any aggressive
behaviour towards the Muslims. There in Makkah, he shouted at the top of his voice and warned
against any hostilities advising them to s eek safety in his house. His wife got indignant and tugged
at his moustache cursing him and abusing his cowardly stance. The people within Makkah mocked
Abu Sufyan and dispersed in different directions, some into their houses, others into the Holy
Sanctuary while some undisciplined reckless ruffians led by 'Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl, Safwan bin
Omaiyah and Suhail bin 'Amr encamped themselves in a place called Khandamah, with a murderous
intent in their minds.
The Prophet peace be upon him, on his part, was quite modestly and calmly drawing the final
touches for the military breakthrough awaiting the Muslims, by Allâh's Will. He appointed Khalid bin
Al-Waleed as a leader of the right flank of the army with Aslam, Sulaim, Ghifar, Muzainah and
Juhainah tribes under his command to enter Makkah through its lower avenues. Az-Zubair bin
'Awwam was to lead the left flank and would storm Makkah from the upper side holding up the
Messenger's banner. Abu 'Ubaidah took command of the infantry and was to penetrate into the city
via a side valley. They were given full and decisive orders not to kill unless in self defence and in
that case they would exterminate any aggressive elements and quell any opposition.
The Muslim battalions marched out each in its already drawn route to fulfill the missions they were
supposed to carry out. Khalid bin Al-Waleed worked his way into the heart of the town quite
successively killing twelve of the ruffians and sustaining two martyrs. Az-Zubair set out and reached
the fixed destination where h e planted the banner at Al-Fath (conquest) Mosque and waited there
for the arrival of the Prophet peace be upon him. A tent was pitched for him where he offered
prayers of thanks to the All-Mighty Allâh, Who, out of His immense grace, had granted him a
splendid victory. But he did not repose long. He, in the company of the Helpers and Emigrants, got
up and proceeded towards Al-Ka'bah, the Sacred House, which is an emblem of the Oneness and
Supremacy of Allâh. It was unfortunately infested with idols that numbered 360. He knocked them
down with his bow while reciting the verse of the Noble Qur'ân:
"And Say: 'Truth (i.e. Islamic Monotheism or this Qur'ân or Jihâd against polytheists) has come and
Batil (falsehood, i.e. Satan or polytheism, etc.) has vanished. Surely! Batil is ever bound to vanish.'"
[17:81] And Allâh further said:
"Say (O Muhammad peace be upon him): "The Truth (the Qur'ân and Allah's Inspiration) has come,
and Al-Batil (falsehood - Iblis) can neither create anything nor resurrect (any thing)." [34:49] He
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