After the Prophet had circled the House of Allah, he sent for Uthman bin Talha who held the keys of the Ka’bah. He took the keys from Uthman and had the doors opened. The idols inside were removed ad destroyed, and all the pictures rubbed out. Following this, the Prophet entered the structure with Usama bin Zayd and Bilal and shut the door. He then faced the front wall and stood at a distance of three cubits thereof, and keeping one pillar on his left, two on his right, and three at the rear, offered two Rak’ah in prayer. He then went around the Sacred Mosque praising and glorifying Allah.

Have no fear this day

The Prophet then opened the door of the Ka’bah. By then the area around the Ka’bah was packed with the Quraysh, who apprehensively awaited his next step. The Prophet stood at the door of the Ka’bah holding its frame, while the Quraysh arrayed themselves in front of him. To his old persecutors, humbled thus before him, he spoke at length, as he explained several injunctions of Islam and annulled all pagan practices. He then asked the Quraysh, “O Quraysh, what do you think I am about to do with you?” “We hope for the best,” they replied. “You are a noble brother and son of a noble brother.”

The Prophet said simply: “Have no fear this day: go your way and you are all free.”

The Prophet descended and sat in the Sacred Mosque. He then returned the keys to Uthman bin Talha and said, “The key shall remain with you and none but a tyrant would take it from you.”