Victory and After

VICTORY AND AFTER Victors usually tend to be susceptible to two kinds of feelings—pride and vengeance. However, after his conquest of Makkah in A.H. 8, the Prophet of Islam displayed neither of these traits. His victory was that of a Prophet of God. According to Ibn Ishaq, when the Prophet entered Makkah, his head was bowed so low that people saw his beard touching the camel’s saddle. Such was the humility of the Prophet, even in his hour of triumph. Standing at the door of the Kaaba, the Prophet delivered an address, in the course of which he said, There is none worthy of being served save the One God. He has fulfilled His promise and offered succour to His slave. He alone has brought the hosts of enemies low.155 He did not, in other words, claim any credit for the victory: he attributed it entirely to God. Later on, in the same speech, he had this to say to the Quraysh: “What do you think I will do with you now?” “We think you will treat us well.” they replied, “for you are our noble brother and the son of our noble brother.” Then the Prophet said: “I say to you as Joseph said to his brothers: Let no reproach be upon you this day. Go, you are free.”156