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The Prophet emphasised
that there must be no fighting unless there was armed resistance
by the Quraish. He also ordered that there would be no killing of
the wounded, no pursuit of fugitives and no slaying of captives.
The entry into Makkah took place on January
11, 630 (the 20th of Ramadan, 8 Hijri). It proved a peaceful and
bloodless operation except in the sector of Khalid. Ikrimah and
Safwan had got together a band of dissidents from the Quraish and
other tribes and decided to make the Muslims fight for victory.
They met Khalid's column at Khandama, and this was a new and strange
experience for Khalid. The two enemy leaders who were now opposing
him in battle had been his dearest friends Ikrimah and Safwan; and
the latter was also the husband of Khalid's sister, Faktah. However,
Islam cancelled all relationships and friendships of the Ignorance,
and no one who was not a Muslim could have a claim on a Muslim for
old time's sake.
The Quraish opened up with their bows and
drew their swords; and this was all that Khalid was waiting for.
He charged the Quraish position, and after a short and sharp clash,
the Quraish were driven back. Twelve of the Quraish were killed
at a loss of only two Muslims. Ikrimah and Safwan fled from the
scene of the encounter.
When the Prophet came to know of this action
and the number of infidels killed, he was displeased with Khalid.
He had wished to avoid bloodshed; and knowing Khalid's violent nature
he feared that Khalid may himself have brought on a military engagement.
Khalid was duly sent for and asked to account for his action. His
explanation, however, was accepted by the Prophet, who agreed that
Khalid had done the right thing. He had, after all, merely hit back.
It was in the nature of Khalid that whenever he struck, he struck
very hard. There was no moderation in the character of the man.
As soon as Makkah was occupied by the Muslims,
the Prophet went to the Kabah and circumambulated the House of Allah
seven times. This was a great moment in the life of Muhammad. It
was more than seven years since he had fled as a fugitive from Makkah
with the Quraish at his heels, thirsting for his blood. Muhammad
was no longer the fugitive. He was no longer a voice crying in the
wilderness. Muhammad had returned, and he had returned as master
with Makkah at his feet. The Quraish trembled as they waited in
the mosque, for they knew the savage nature of Arab vengeance.
The Prophet turned and looked at the Quraish.
There was a hushed silence as the assembled populace gazed at him,
wondering what their fate would be. "O Quraish!"
called the Prophet. "How should I treat you?"
"Kindly, O noble brother, and son
of a noble brother!" the crowd replied.
"Then go! You are forgiven."
1
The Prophet now entered the Kabah and saw
the idols arranged along its walls-idols of all shapes and sizes.
In and around the Kabah there were 360 idols carved of wood or hewn
out of stone, including a statue of Ibrahim holding divining arrows.
The Prophet had a large stick in his hand, and he set about smashing
these idols to pieces. When the task was finished he felt as if
a great weight had been lifted off his shoulders. The Kabah had
been cleansed of the false gods; now only the true Allah would be
worshipped in the House of Allah. The Prophet's joyous cry (a Quranic
verse) rose above the Kabah: "Truth has come and falsehood
has vanished!" 2
The next few days were spent in consolidation
and reorganisation. Most of the people of Makkah accepted Islam
and swore allegiance to the Messenger of Allah.
Before his entry into Makkah, the Prophet
had announced the names of 10 persons-six men and four women-who
were to be killed at sight, even if they took shelter within the
Kabah. These 10 were what we would today call 'war criminals'. They
were either apostates or had taken part directly or indirectly in
the torture or betrayal of Muslims. At the head of the list was
Ikrimah, and Hind also was one of them.
1. Ibn Hisham: Vol. 2, p. 412.
2. Ibid. Vol. 2, p. 417; Quran: 17:81.
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