Life and Teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
2. The Life of the Prophet Muhammad
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PARDON FOR ALL
The Makkan leaders sat in the compound of the Kabah. They
were, without exception, the worst types of criminals. Therefore,
even if all of them had been put to death, the punishment would
have been fully justified. But the Prophet, being of a noble character,
did not take any action against them. He unilaterally declared a
general amnesty, saying: “Go, you are all free.”
The Makkan idolaters could hardly believe their ears. This
generous treatment meted out to the fallen foe won all hearts,
including those of the most bitter enemies of Islam. After the
conquest of their hearts, they had no choice but to embrace Islam.
All the insolent Makkans surrendered and joined the Prophet in his
mission as his companions. All opposition had just vanished.
BATTLE OF HUNAYN
The fall of Makkah was not taken kindly by all the tribes. The
Banu Thaqif and the Hawazin, who lived between Makkah and Taif,
were highly perturbed by the developments in Makkah. Sensing the
danger to their independence and supremacy, they turned
aggressive and collected a huge army. This army was encamped in
the valley of Hunayn, to which a narrow pass was the only
entrance.
Expert archers hid themselves behind rocky crags. The Prophet
arrived with an army of 12,000. The Muslims filed between the
narrow rocky walls of the pass, panicked under the sudden heavy
