Pre-Islamic Mecca
The Ka’ba and polytheism: Before the Prophet’s mission, the Ka’ba (the cubic structure that remains Islam’s most sacred building) housed 360 idols — the gods of the various Arabian tribes. The Quraysh’s control of the Ka’ba and its lucrative pilgrimage economy was the foundation of their wealth and power. Mecca was thus a religious and commercial center simultaneously.
Ibrahim’s foundation: The Quran traces the Ka’ba’s origin to Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Isma’il: “And when Ibrahim and Isma’il were raising the foundations of the House, [they prayed]: Our Lord, accept [this] from us.” (2:127) — The Islamic understanding: the Ka’ba as a house of pure monotheism (tawhid) was originally built by Ibrahim; it was later corrupted into polytheism by the Arabs; the Prophet’s mission was to restore it to its Ibrahimic purity.
See also: Hajj Philosophy, Tawhid Divine Unity, Nubuwwa
The Opening of Mecca (630 CE)
Fath Makkah: After eight years in Madinah — during which the Muslims fought the Quraysh in the battles of Badr, Uhud, and al-Khandaq, and the Hudaybiyya truce — the Quraysh violated the truce, and the Prophet marched on Mecca with an army of ten thousand. The Quraysh, abandoned by their allies, largely submitted. The entry into Mecca was largely peaceful; the Prophet’s general amnesty was extraordinary by the standards of ancient warfare.
The destruction of the idols: The Prophet’s first act upon entering the Ka’ba: the destruction of the 360 idols. “Truth has come, and falsehood has departed; indeed, falsehood is bound to depart.” (17:81) — Mecca’s transformation from a polytheistic shrine to Islam’s holiest mosque was complete.
See also: Seerah Madinah, Seerah Makkah, Ali Ibn Abi Talib, Hajj Philosophy
See also: Hajj Philosophy, Tawhid Divine Unity, Nubuwwa, Seerah Madinah, Seerah Makkah, Ali Ibn Abi Talib