Ask AI: What happened after Muhammad and his followers returned to Mecca in 630 C.E.?

After Muhammad and his followers returned to Mecca in 630 C.E., several significant events and changes took place: 1. **Peaceful Conquest of Mecca:** Muhammad entered Mecca with a large force but declared a general amnesty, ensuring that the city was conquered with minimal bloodshed. Most Meccans accepted Islam at this time. 2. **Destruction of Idols:** Upon entering the Kaaba, Muhammad ordered the destruction of its idols and images, reestablishing the Kaaba as a monotheistic sanctuary dedicated solely to the worship of Allah. 3. **Consolidation of Islamic Rule:** Muhammad’s return to Mecca marked the turning point in his mission. Most Arabian tribes began to send delegations to accept Islam and pledge allegiance to Muhammad, leading to the unification of much of the Arabian Peninsula under Islam. 4. **Reformation of Society:** The old social and religious order of Mecca, centered around polytheistic worship and tribal divisions, was replaced by the new Islamic social and religious laws as outlined in the Quran and by Muhammad’s teachings. 5. **The Farewell Pilgrimage and Muhammad’s Passing:** Over the next two years, Islam continued to spread. In 632 C.E., Muhammad made his final pilgrimage to Mecca—known as the Farewell Pilgrimage—delivering his famous farewell sermon. He passed away later that year in Medina. In summary, Muhammad’s return to Mecca signified the victory of Islam in Arabia and the beginning of its rapid expansion beyond the peninsula.