al-Lāt, abandoning all money accrued through usury except for your original capital, and he declared wine and fornication unlawful. Thaqīf protested, “By Allah, we will never accept this.”

The envoys replied, “Then ready your weapons, prepare for battle, and man your fortress.”

For two or three days Thaqīf persisted, intent on fighting. Then Allah cast terror into their hearts and they said, “By Allah, we have no strength to resist him; he has already subdued all the Arabs. Go back to him and give him whatever he demands.”

When the delegation saw their fear they said, “We have already settled terms with him and fulfilled them, and we have found him the most God-fearing, the most compassionate, and the most truthful of all people.” Their tribesmen retorted, “Why did you conceal this from us and plunge us into such distress?” They answered, “We wanted Allah to strip Satan’s pride from your hearts.” So they accepted Islam on the spot.

Soon after, the messengers of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, arrived; he had put Khālid ibn al-Walīd in command of them, and al-Mughīra was among them. When they reached the town they headed straight for al-Lāt to demolish her. All of Thaqīf gathered— even the young maidens came out— for most of them could not imagine that she would ever be destroyed.

Al-Mughīra stepped forward, seized a pick-axe and said to his companions, “By Allah, I will make you laugh at them.” He struck the idol with the axe and then fell to the ground, thrashing. The people of al-Ṭāʾif let out a single cry: “May Allah banish al-Mughīra— the goddess has killed him!” They rejoiced and said, “Let anyone who wishes come near and try to tear her down; by Allah, it can never be done!”

Al-Mughīra ibn Shuʿba sprang up and said, “May Allah disgrace you! She is nothing but a foolish pile of stones and clay. Accept Allah’s mercy and worship Him.” He smashed the door, climbed onto her walls, and the other men climbed with him until they razed her. Meanwhile the keeper of the keys kept muttering, “The very foundation will become angry and swallow them up!” Al-Mughīra said to Khālid, “Let me dig out her foundation.” He dug until they had hauled out even the soil beneath, stripped off her ornaments, and took away her coverings— and the onlookers were left dumbfounded.