Conquest of Mecca - Conquest

Conquest

After Abu Sufyan’s departure, Muhammad immediately ordered the assembling of a large army. The objective of the operation was kept secret and even Muhammad's close friends and commanders did not know their destiny. Muhammad intended to assemble and move fast and with such secrecy that the Quresh were taken unaware. For further secrecy, Muhammad sent Abu Qatadah towards "Batan Izm" to give the impression that he wanted to go there.

Muslim army set out for Mecca on Wednesday, November 29, 629 (the 6th of Ramadan, 8 hijra). Volunteers and contingents from allied tribes joined the Muslim army on the way swelling its size to 10,000 warriors. This was the largest Muslim force ever assembled. Muslim army stayed at Marr-uz-Zahran a mere 10 miles Northwest of Mecca. Prophet ordered every man to light fire so as to strike dismay into Meccans’ minds by the number of Muslim army.

Again, Abu Sufyan travelled back and forth between Mecca and Muhammad, still trying to reach a settlement. According to the sources, he found assistance in Muhammad's uncle Al-Abbas, though some scholars consider that historians writing under the rule of Abbas' descendants, the Abbasid Dynasty, had exaggerated Abbas' role and downplayed the role of Abu Sufyan, who was the ancestor of the Abbaside's enemies.

Mecca lies in the Valley of Ibrahim, surrounded by black rugged hills reaching heights of 1,000 ft (300 m) at some places. There were four entry routes through passes in the hills. These were from north-west, the south-west, the south, and the north-east. Muhammad divided Muslim army into four columns. One to advance through each pass. The main column in which Muhammad was present in person was commanded by Abu Ubaidah ibn al Jarrah. It was tasked to enter Mecca through main Madina route, from North-west near Azakhir. Muhammad’s cousin Az Zubayr commanded the second column and it would enter Mecca from the South-west, through a pass West of hill of Kuda. The column entering from South through Kudai was under the leadership of Muhammad’s cousin Ali. The last column under Khalid ibn al-Walid was tasked to enter from the North-east, through Khandama and Lait.

These tactics included advancing by convergent thrust from all sides targeting a single central objective. This would lead to the dispersion of enemy forces and prevent their concentration on any one front. Another important reason for these tactics was that even if one or two axis faced stiff resistsnce and Muslims are unable to breakthrough then attackers will have other fronts to concentrate and breach the enemy line of defence and move to the rear of the enemy. This would also prevent anyone of the Quresh to escape.

Muhammad emphasized on refraining from fighting unless Quresh attacked. Muslim army entered Mecca on Monday, December 11, 629 (18th of Ramadan 8 hijrah). The entry was peaceful and bloodless entry on three sectors except for that of Khalid’s column. The hardened anti Muslims like Ikrimah and Sufwan gathered a band of fighters from Quresh and faced Khalid’s column. Quresh attacked Muslims with swords and bows. Muslims retaliated and charged the Quresh’s positions. After a short skirmish Quresh gave ground after losing twelve men. Muslim losses were two warriors.