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fight him. Events which followed the conquest of the city prove
conclusively that the extensive preparations had not been aimed
at causing bloodshed: their purpose was to awe the Makkans into
submission, so that the city could be captured for Islam without
any need for fighting. As the Muslim army neared Makkah, one
of its leaders, Sa’ad Ibn ‘Ubada, called out: “Today is the day of
battle!” The Prophet told him that it was not the day of battle; it
was the day of mercy. Sa’ad was then told to step down and the
standard was handed over to his son instead.
There were some engagements after the Conquest of Makkah.
But now that the Muslims had gained control of the capital of
Arabia, it took only some minor skirmishes for all Arabia to
capitulate, and accept the Prophet as their leader.
