Victory of Makkah
Ramadan 20 is a very special date in the life of Prophet Muhammad. It marks a significant event when he left Mecca, his hometown, with sadness eight years before this date. He went to Medina, his new home. When leaving Mecca, he looked at the Kaaba, the holy house of Allah, with sadness and said he loved Mecca more than any other city. But after eight years, he returned to Mecca with great happiness and entered the Kaaba to pray, showing the greatness of God’s house with his prayers.
Leaving Madinah
“On the 10th of Ramadan, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, left Medina with an army of ten thousand soldiers to head towards Makkah. Some accounts mention that there were twelve thousand soldiers with him during the conquest of Makkah, but there is no contradiction between these accounts. It’s possible that the army was ten thousand when leaving Medina, and some tribes joined along the way, increasing the number to twelve thousand by the time they reached Makkah. Nonetheless, when they set out from Medina, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and all his companions were fasting. When they reached the area of Khadeer, Prophet Muhammad ﷺasked for water and, sitting on his mount, showed the entire army to indicate their need for water. He then broke his fast during the day and ordered everyone to break their fast as well. Thus, due to the journey and engagement in Jihad, Prophet Muhammadﷺ and his companions suspended fasting.”
Fire Near Makkah
When the Islamic army reached Marr al-Zahran, a place near Makkah, they set up their camp. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ ordered the soldiers to each light their own separate fire. When ten thousand soldiers lit individual fires, the entire field of Marr al-Zahran was ablaze as far as the eye could see.
Entrance in Makkah
When the Prophet ﷺ was about to enter Makkah in a victorious manner, he was riding on his she-camel, Qaswa. He was wearing a black turban. On one side of him was Abu Bakr Siddiq, and on the other side was Aseed ibn Hareth. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and gratitude, with weapons raised high, and amidst all this, there was Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Seeing this grand procession, Abu Sufyan remarked to Abbas, ‘Your nephew has become a king!’ To which Abbas replied, ‘Your perception is wrong, Abu Sufyan! This is not kingship; this is prophethood.’ Despite the majestic display, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ showed such humility that while reciting Surah Fath, he bowed his head so low while sitting on the camel that his head touched the camel’s saddle. This act of humility was his expression of gratitude towards the Almighty and his acknowledgment of his own weakness and neediness in the presence of divine majesty.”
Commandments of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
As soon as the Sovereign of the Two Worlds ﷺ set foot in the land of Makkah, he issued his first proclamation, which was a declaration of mercy and compassion. The announcement was as follows, spreading waves of mercy with each word:
- Anyone who lays down their arms will be safe.
- Anyone who stays in their home will be safe.
- Anyone who enters the Kaaba will be safe.