Then a severe wind blew which was followed by a dust storm...

Then a severe wind blew which was followed by a dust storm pulling down the enemy's tents. This confused and demor- alised the tribes who began to argue among themselves and ultimately left Medina. In the sixth year of Hijrah a ten-year truce was concluded with the Quraysh, at Hudaybiyah. Then the Meccans violated the * "On the advice of Salman al-Farsi, the Prophet ordered trenches to be dug round Medina and filled with fire".

treaty by attacking the Khuza'ah tribe which was an ally of the Muslims. The Prophet decided to march on Mecca. In the eighth year of Hijrah Mecca was conquered peacefully. The Prophet asked the Meccans: "What do you think I will do to you?" They answered: "you are a generous brother and the son of a generous brother': (12) Muhammad (p.b.u.h.

a.h.p.) pardoned his bitterest enemies, those who for years had tormented, tortured and killed Muslims, finally turning them out their own hearth and homes, then rot allowing them to rest even in Medina. Despite all these he granted them all, except a few hardened criminals, general amnesty. He was indeed in words and deeds "a mercy to mankind". Old tribal and personal enmities were re- placed by an unprecedented peace, tranquility, feeling of unity and fraternity.

The old warring Arabs who knew no nationhood in all their history become united for the first time by the bond of "Islamic brotherhood". This had not been easy to achieve. It took twenty-three years of ceaseless striving and sacrifices to see the success of the Proph- et's mission (p.b.u.h.a.h.p.) THE END…