The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page ccxlvii
GENERAL INTRODUCTION As the Muslim army marched past Abu Sufyān, the commander of the Anṣār, Sa'd bin ‘Ubādah happened to eye Abū Sufyān and could not resist saying God that day had made it lawful for them to enter Mecca by force and that the Quraish would be humiliated. As the Prophet was passing, Abū Sufyān raised his voice and addressing the Prophet said, "Have you allowed the massacre of your own kith and kin? I heard the commander of the Anṣār, Sa'd and his companions say so. They said it was a day of slaughter. The sacredness of Mecca will not avert bloodshed and the Quraish will be humiliated. Prophet of God, you are the best, the most forgiving, the most considerate of men. Will you not forgive and forget whatever was done by your own people?" Abū Sufyan's appeal went home. Those very Muslims who used to be insulted and beaten in the streets of Mecca, who had been dispossessed and driven out of their homes, began to entertain feelings of mercy for their old persecutors. "Prophet of God," they said, "the accounts which the Anṣār have heard of the excesses and cruelties committed by Meccans against us, may lead them to seek revenge. We know not what they may do. " The Prophet understood this. Turning to Abū Sufyān, he said, "What Sa'd has said is quite wrong. It is not the day of slaughter. It is the day of forgiveness. The Quraish and the Ka'bah will be honoured by God. " Then he sent for Sa'd, and ordered him to hand over the Anṣār flag to his son, Qais (Hishām, Vol. 2). The command of the Anṣār thus passed from Sa'd to Qais. It was a wise step. It placated the Meccans and saved the Anṣār disappointment. Qais, a pious young man, was fully trusted by the Prophet. An incident of his last days illustrates the piety of his character. Lying on his deathbed, Qais received his friends. Some came and some did not. He could not understand this and asked why some of his friends had not come to see him. "Your charity is abundant," explained one. "You have been helping the needy by your loans. There are many in the town who are in debt to you. Some may have hesitated to come lest you should ask them for the return of the loans. " "Then I have been the cause of keeping my friends away. Please announce that no one now owes anything to Qais. " After this announcement Qais had so many visitors during his last days that the steps to his house gave way. When the Muslim army had marched past, ‘Abbās told Abū Sufyān to hasten for Mecca and announce to the Meccans that the Prophet had come and explain to them how they could all have peace. Abū Sufyān reached Mecca ccxxi