The Prophet's Return to Makkah: A Lesson in Forgiveness and Tolerance

The Prophet (peace be upon him) entered Makkah with his army of 10,000 Muslims on the 20th of Ramadan in the eighth year of Hijrah. He had left Makkah 10 years ago, persecuted and oppressed by the Quraysh, who had tortured and killed many of his followers. Now he had returned as a victorious leader, with the power to take revenge on his oppressors.

However, instead of seeking vengeance, he showed mercy and forgiveness. He declared a general amnesty for all those who had wronged him and his companions. He asked them: "What do you think I will do to you?" They replied: "You are a generous brother and the son of a generous brother." He said: "I say to you what Joseph said to his brothers: 'No reproach on you this day. Go your way, for you are free.'"

The book describes how the people of Makkah were amazed and moved by his magnanimity and kindness. Many of them embraced Islam on that day, realizing that he was indeed the true messenger of God. The book also mentions how the Prophet (peace be upon him) ordered his army to respect the sanctity of Makkah and not to harm anyone who did not fight them. He also destroyed all the idols in and around the Ka'bah, restoring it to its original status as a house of worship for God alone. 

The book concludes that this event was one of the greatest examples of forgiveness and tolerance in human history. It shows how the Prophet (peace be upon him) followed the Quranic command: 

وَلَا تَسۡتَوِی ٱلۡحَسَنَةُ وَلَا ٱلسَّیِّئَةُۚ ٱدۡفَعۡ بِٱلَّتِی هِیَ أَحۡسَنُ فَإِذَا ٱلَّذِی بَیۡنَكَ وَبَیۡنَهُۥ عَدَ ٰ⁠وَةࣱ كَأَنَّهُۥ وَلِیٌّ حَمِیمࣱ

"And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend." (Quran 41:34)