Muhammad's farsightedness as a statesman is manifest in the policies he next adopted.

He might have proceeded to crush the Meccans, and he indeed put economic pressure on them; but his main aim was to gain their willing adherence to Islam.

He had already realized that, insofar as the Arabs became Muslims, it would be necessary to direct outward the energies expended on razzias against one another.

There could be no question of Muslims raiding Muslims. It is noteworthy that his largest razzias, apart from the expeditions against the Meccans, were along the route to Syria followed by the Arab armies after his death (see Islamic world).

He doubtless realized that the administrative skill of the Meccan merchants would be required for any expansion of his embryonic state.

In a dream Muhammad saw himself performing the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, and in March 628 he set out to do so, driving sacrificial animals; but he was disappointed because no more than 1,600 men would accompany him.

The Meccans were determined to prevent the Medina Muslims from entering their town, so Muhammad halted at al-Hudaybiyah, on the edge of the sacred territory of Mecca.

After some critical days the Meccans made a treaty with Muhammad.

Hostilities were to cease, and the Medina Muslims were to be allowed to make the pilgrimage to Mecca in 629.

The orderly withdrawal that followed showed how completely Muhammad controlled his followers.

Partly to reward this orderly conduct, Muhammad two months later led the same force against the Jewish oasis of Khaybar, north of Medina.

After a siege it submitted, but the Jews were allowed to remain on condition of sending half of the date harvest to Medina.

Thus throughout 628 CE and 629 CE Muhammad's power was growing, since success led more men to become Muslims, for the religious attraction of Islam was apparently supplemented by material motives.

Meanwhile Mecca was in decline.

Several leading men had emigrated to Medina and become Muslims.

New leaders had taken over from Abu Sufyan but had accomplished little, although the treaty with Muhammad had removed his pressure on their caravans.

Shortly after the treaty, Muhammad had married Umm Habibah, a daughter of Abu Sufyan and a widow whose Muslim husband had died in Ethiopia.

This led to an understanding with Abu Sufyan, who began to work for the peaceful surrender of Mecca.

It was probably when he was in Mecca for the pilgrimage in March 629 CE that Muhammad became reconciled with another uncle, al-'Abbas, and married his uncle's sister-in-law Maymunah.

An attack by Meccan allies in about November 629 upon allies of Muhammad led to the Muhammad’s denunciation of the treaty of al-Hudaybiyah.

After secret preparations he marched on Mecca in January 630 CE with 10,000 men.

Abu Sufyan and other leading Meccans went out to meet him and formally submitted, and Muhammad promised a general amnesty.

When he entered Mecca there was virtually no resistance.

Two Medina Muslims and 28 of the enemy were killed.

A score of persons were specifically excluded from the amnesty, but some were later pardoned. Thus Muhammad, who had left Mecca as a persecuted prophet, entered it now in triumph gaining the allegiance of most of the Meccans.

Though he did not insist on their becoming Muslims, many soon did so.

Muhammad spent 15 to 20 days in Mecca settling various matters of administration.

Idols were destroyed in the Ka'bah and in some small shrines in the neighborhood.

To relieve the poorest among his followers, he demanded loans from some of the wealthy Meccans.

When he next marched east to meet a new threat, 2,000 Meccans went with him.