Understanding Islam — Page 81
79 enabling Prophet Muhammad sa to take the city of Makkah without any resistance. At that time, he had the opportunity to take revenge from all those who had harmed him, tortured his companions, or killed his friends and relatives. However, he did none of that. Instead, he addressed the Makkans as follows: You have seen how true the promises of God have proved. Now tell me what punishment you should have for the cruelties and enormities you committed against those whose only fault was that they invited you to the worship of the One and Only God. 32 The Makkans requested for mercy, and Prophet Muhammad sa responded: By God, you will have no punishment today and no reproof. 33 These words of love, compassion, and absolute forgiveness are the reasons why Islam spread so quickly and became the dominant religion in the world within a century of the above statement of general amnesty declared by Prophet Muhammad sa.