Miracles of Islam · Fulfilled Prophecies

Conquest of Makkah

Prophecy: Conquest of Makkah

The conquest of Makkah is a significant event in Islamic history, representing a turning point for the Muslim community. This event was foretold by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and fulfilled in his lifetime, demonstrating both the divine support for his mission and the eventual triumph of monotheism in the Arabian Peninsula.

Narrated Ibn `Abbas: When Allah's Messenger ((PBUH)) arrived in Mecca, he refused to enter the Ka`ba while there were idols in it. So he ordered that they be taken out. The pictures of the (Prophets) Abraham and Ishmael, holding arrows of divination in their hands, were carried out. The Prophet ((PBUH)) said, "May Allah ruin them (i.e. the infidels) for they knew very well that they (i.e. Abraham and Ishmael) never drew lots by these (divination arrows). Then the Prophet ((PBUH)) entered the Ka`ba and said. "Allahu Akbar" in all its directions and came out and did not offer any prayer therein.

This narration is found in Sahih al-Bukhari 4288, and it is graded as sahih, indicating its strong authenticity.

At the time this prophecy was made, the socio-political landscape in Arabia made the idea of Muslims conquering Makkah appear highly improbable. The Quraysh, the dominant tribe in Makkah, were powerful and had established the city as a center of trade and pagan worship. The Muslims, on the other hand, were a fledgling community facing persecution and hostility. They had been forced to migrate to Medina, leaving behind their homes and possessions in Makkah. The notion that this small and seemingly vulnerable group could one day return to Makkah as victors was beyond the imagination of many.

The fulfillment of this prophecy came in the eighth year of the Hijra (630 CE). After a series of conflicts and the eventual Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, which was initially perceived by some as a setback, the Muslims gained strength and numbers. The treaty allowed for a period of peace, during which Islam spread further throughout the Arabian Peninsula. When the Quraysh violated the treaty, the Prophet (PBUH) mobilized an army of 10,000 Muslims and marched towards Makkah. The conquest was remarkably peaceful, with minimal bloodshed, reflecting the Prophet's (PBUH) emphasis on mercy and forgiveness. Upon entering Makkah, the idols in the Ka`ba were destroyed, and the city was cleansed of its polytheistic practices, fulfilling the prophecy in its entirety.

A fair-minded reader should conclude that this prophecy, given its context and the subsequent historical events, is a compelling example of the Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) insight and the divine support for his mission. The improbability of the event at the time of the prophecy and its detailed fulfillment are noteworthy. However, it is important to approach such prophecies with a balanced perspective. While this event is significant, it should not be used to make sweeping generalizations about all prophecies or be seen as a sole basis for belief. Each prophecy should be examined on its own merits, considering the historical context, the authenticity of the narration, and the nature of its fulfillment.