Abu Sufyan Accepts Islam Before the Conquest of Mecca

As the Prophet marched toward Mecca with ten thousand men, Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, the long-time leader of the Quraysh opposition, ventured out to gather intelligence. He was captured by the Muslim advance guard and brought to the Prophet. Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib, the Prophet's uncle, had gone out seeking Abu Sufyan to offer him protection. Abbas brought him to the Prophet's tent, and after witnessing the scale of the Muslim army, Abu Sufyan was awed. The Prophet gave him the night to consider his position. The next morning, as the Muslim army marched past in disciplined formations with each tribe bearing its standard, Abu Sufyan remarked to Abbas: 'Your nephew's kingdom has become immense!' Abbas corrected him: 'This is prophethood, not kingship.' Abu Sufyan declared the shahada. The Prophet honored him by announcing: 'Whoever enters the house of Abu Sufyan is safe, whoever closes his door is safe, and whoever enters the Sacred Mosque is safe.' This generosity helped ease the bloodless conquest.