Murder in the Name of Allah — Page 35
A Rebuttal of Maududian Philosophy. The final period of the Holy Prophet'ssa life began with Mecca's surrender - or the day of the conquering of hearts. That Islamic victory over the Meccans conclusively proved that the spreading of Islam was not even remotely connected with violence. Not one person was converted by force. . Abu Sufyan, the arch-enemy of Islam, who became a Muslim on the eve of the Prophet's triumphant entry into Mecca, watched the Muslim army from a vantage point near the city. The Holy Prophet'ssa uncle,. Abbas, was with him. What Abu Sufyan saw there has been vividly described by Martin Lings:. Troop after troop went by, and, at the passing of each, Abu Sufyan asked who they were, and each time he marvelled, either because the tribe in question had hitherto been far beyond the range of influence of Quraish, or because it had recently been hostile to the Prophet, as was the case with the Ghatafanite clan of Ashja, one of whose ensigns was borne by. Nuaym, the former friend of himself and Suhayl. ‘Of all the Arabs,' said Abu Sufayn, 'These were Muhammad's bitterest foes. ' 'God caused Islam to enter their hearts,' said Abbas. 'All this is by the grace of God. " $41. Was it the sword which converted them? And when the Prophets entered. Mecca with his 10,000 men, did he avenge the thirteen-year persecution?. The idea of settling scores was certainly in the minds of some. When Sad ibn Ubada saw Abu Sufyan he said: 'O Abu Sufyan, this is the day of slaughter: the day when the inviolable shall be violated: the day of God's abasement of Quraish. ' When Abu Sufyan repeated to the Holy Prophet what Sad had said, the Prophet replied: 'This is the day of mercy, the day on which God has exalted Quraish. ' A general amnesty was proclaimed. . Using the words of Joseph, as reported in the Quran, Muhammad said: 'Verily I say as my brother Joseph said, this day there shall be no reproach on you. May Allah forgive you. He is the Most Merciful of all those who show mercy. ' (12. 93). Washington Irving, by no means a sympathetic observer of Islam, describes the Holy Prophet'ssa entry into Mecca in the following way:. The sun was just rising as he entered the gates of his native city, with the glory of a conqueror, but the garb and humility of a pilgrim. He entered, repeating verses of the Koran, which he said had been revealed to him at. Medina, and were prophetic of the event. He triumphed in the spirit of a religious zealot, not a warrior. ª 42. Meccan leaders who opposed the Prophet with every means at their 35