The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 1) — Page ccxlix
GENERAL INTRODUCTION the Kinānah once assembled there and swore that unless the Banū Hāshim and the Banu 'Abdul-Muttalib handed over the Prophet to them to deal with him as they liked, they would have no dealings with the two tribes. They would neither sell anything to them nor buy anything from them. It was after this solemn declaration that the Prophet, his uncle Abū Ṭālib, his family and followers, had to take refuge in the valley of Abū Ṭālib and suffer a severe blockade and boycott lasting for three years. The place which the Prophet chose for his stay was, therefore, full of significance. The Meccans had once assembled there and taken the oath that unless the Prophet was made over to them, they would not be at peace with his tribe. Now the Prophet had come to the same spot. It was as though he had come to tell the Meccans: "You wanted me here, so here I am. But not in the way you wanted. You wanted me as your victim, one completely at your mercy. But I am here in power. Not only my own people, but the whole of Arabia is now with me. You wanted my people to hand me over to you. Instead of that, they have handed you over to me. " This day of victory was a Monday. The day on which the Prophet and Abu Bakr left the cave of Thaur for their journey to Medina was also a Monday. On that day, standing on the hill of Thaur, the Prophet turned to Mecca and said, 'Mecca! you are dearer to me than any other place but your people would not let me live here. ' When the Prophet entered Mecca, mounted on his camel, Abu Bakr walked with him holding a stirrup. As he walked along, Abu Bakr recited verses from the Surah Al-Fath in which the conquest of Mecca had been foretold years before. Ka'bah Cleared of Idols The Prophet made straight for the Ka'bah and performed the circuit of the holy precincts seven times, mounted on his camel. Staff in hand, he went round the house which had been built by the Patriarch Abraham and his son Ishmael for the worship of the One and Only God, but which by their misguided children had been allowed to degenerate into a sanctuary for idols. The Prophet smote one by one the three hundred and sixty idols in the house. As an idol fell, the Prophet would recite the verse, "Truth has come and falsehood has vanished away. Falsehood does indeed vanish away fast. " This verse was revealed before the Prophet left Mecca for Medina and is part of the chapter Bani Isrā'īl. In this chapter was foretold the flight of the Prophet and the conquest of Mecca. The chapter is a Meccan chapter, a fact admitted even by European writers. The verses which contain the prophecy of the Prophet's flight from Mecca, and the subsequent conquest of Mecca are as follows: And say 'O my Lord, make my entry a good entry, and make my going ccxxiii