[^42] Observing the Islamic troops, Abu-Sufyan became frightened.

[^42] Observing the Islamic troops, Abu-Sufyan became frightened. The Holy Prophet pardoned him and declared, “Anybody who takes sanctuary in the Kaaba, stays at home or takes shelter at Abu-Sufyan’s house is unharmed.” Prior to the arrival of the Islamic troops in Mecca, Abu-Sufyan informed the people of the Holy Prophet’s amnesty. This plan helped the lack of bloodshed and the surrender of the city; so, Mecca collapsed.

Only in one section of the city where some obstinate people continued resisting were some people killed.[^43] Arriving at Mecca, the Holy Prophet circumambulated the Kaaba while he was riding on a camel and hitting with his cane the idols which had been fastened to the Kaaba with tins, saying, The truth has come and the falsehood has vanished; surely, falsehood is a vanishing thing.

(17:81) It is well-known for historians and narrators, Imam `Ali then climbed upon the Holy Prophet’s shoulder and destroyed the big idols.[^44] Imam al-sadiq states that the idol which Imam `Ali destroyed was Hubal. On the Holy Prophet’s order, this idol was buried under the Banu-Shaybah Gate, one of the entrances to the Kaaba.

Therefore, it is recommended that people enter the Kaaba from this gate.[^45] The Prophet’s General Amnesty Although Quraysh and other infidels did not stop hostile attitudes towards Muslims since the advent of Islam as they plotted all sorts of disagreements, pressure, aggression and wrongdoing; and although the Holy Prophet, being in full command, could have taken revenge, he declared a general amnesty,[^46] saying, “I am repeating the statement of my brother, (Prophet) Joseph: There shall be no proof against you this day, Allah may forgive you, and He is the most Merciful of the merciful.

(the Holy Qur'an 12:92) Go, you are free now.[^47] Having surrendered with humiliation and expecting a severe revenge by the Holy Prophet, the unbelievers of Quraysh were highly moved by this great pardon of the Holy Prophet. Next to the Kaaba, he addressed people, saying, “God has consecrated Mecca from the very beginning of creation. This place shall remain holy and sacred until the Resurrection Day.

No Muslim is allowed to cause bloodshed on this land nor is he or she allowed to cut a tree from this place. No one is allowed to do a wrong thing to it now or from now on.