Historical conquest of Mecca

Mecca at a glance

December 11 was the day when Prophet Muhammad conquered Mecca in 629. On this day, Mecca was opened for and conquered by Muslims. 

Here are some interesting facts about the historical conquest of Mecca:

• The Muslim army set out for Mecca from Medina on November 29, 629 and conquered the city on December 11

• The idols of the tribal gods at Kabba were destroyed and Prophet Muhammad declared Mecca a sanctuary for everyone

• A year before in 628, the Meccan tribe of Quraysh and the Muslim community in Medina signed a 10-year truce called the 'Treaty of Hudaybiyah'

• But the Quraysh violated the treaty when they helped the Banu Bakr tribe to attack the Banu Khuza's tribe

• To help Bhanu Khuza's, Prophet Muhammad gathered an army of 10,000 men and divided it into four columns to attack from different sides

• There were only 14 causalities in the war and the Muslim army spared everyone who converted to Islam

• Mecca, in a desert valley in western Saudi Arabia, is Islam's holiest city

• Only Muslims are allowed in the city, with millions arriving for the annual Hajj (pilgrimage)

• Dating from the 7th century, the central Masjid al-Haram (Sacred Mosque) surrounds the Kaaba, the cloth-covered cubic structure; Islam's most sacred shrine

• The opening of Mecca was followed by the Battle of Hunayn. It was a battle fought between Muhammad and his followers against the Bedouin tribe of Hawazin and its subsection the Thaqif in 630.