“…Press on, ʿAbbās; by God, never in my life have I beheld an army—or a host—like the one I see today!’

Al-Zubayr continued advancing with his men until he halted at al-Ḥajūn, while Khālid surged forward and entered Mecca from the lower approach. The clan of Banū Bakr confronted him; he engaged them, routed them, and killed nearly twenty of their number as well as three or four from Hudhayl. They were driven back and cut down at al-Ḥazwarah until they fled into the houses; a party of them scrambled up the mountain of al-Khandamah, and the Muslims pursued them with their swords.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered last of all. A herald proclaimed: ‘Whoever closes his door and lays down his arms is safe.’ The Prophet ﷺ had been encamped at Dhū Ṭuwā. He asked, ‘How did Ḥassān recite?’ One of his companions answered:

May I lose my daughters if you do not behold it—
The dust it raises from the flanks of Kadāʾ.

He thereupon ordered that the cavalry be brought in by the route mentioned by Ḥassān, so they entered from Dhū Ṭuwā on the lower side of Mecca.

Slaughter spread among Banū Bakr. Allah made Mecca lawful for him for one hour of the day, as in His words: ‘I swear by this city—and you are free in this city’ (Qur’an 90:1–2). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, ‘Its sanctity was never made lawful for anyone before me nor will it be for anyone after me; it was made lawful for me only for a single hour of the day.’

Abū Sufyān then called out in Mecca, ‘Embrace Islam and you will be safe,’ and Allah restrained the people from attacking ʿAbbās.

Hind came forward, seized Abū Sufyān’s beard and shouted, ‘O sons of Ghālib, kill this foolish old man!’

He said, ‘Release my beard. By Allah, if you do not submit to Islam your neck shall be struck. Woe to you—he has brought us the truth! Go into your house and be silent.’

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ entered the Sacred Mosque and circumambulated the Kaʿbah seven times on his mount.

Safwān ibn Umayyah fled toward the sea, while ʿIkrimah headed for Yemen. ʿUmayr ibn Wahb then came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said, ‘Prophet of Allah, grant Safwān safe-conduct. He has fled, and I fear he may take his own life. Send me after him with a guarantee of safety, for you have already granted…’