The Story of the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) Pardon of Quraysh

Question:
The questioner says: When the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) entered Makkah, he said to his companions, "Go, for you are free."

Answer:
When Allah opened Makkah for His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), he entered it as a victor. The people of Makkah gathered in the Sacred Mosque, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was inside the Ka'bah. He then came out to them (peace and blessings be upon him) while they were sitting in the Sacred Mosque, waiting to see what he would do with them, after they had harmed him, oppressed him, and expelled him from Makkah, waiting to see what he would do with them. He said, "O people of Quraysh, what do you think I will do with you?" They said, "Good; a noble brother and the son of a noble brother." He said, "Go, for you are free." So he pardoned them (peace and blessings be upon him) and set them free. Yes.