the next day, the muslim army walked towards mecca. everyone ran to their homes and closed all doors and windows. they were afraid that the muslims were going to kill them, because of the bad things they did to the muslims many years ago. but, the muslims went towards the ka'aba, believed to be built by abraham and his elder son, ishmael. bilal ibn ribah, a former ethiopian slave, shouted out loud to the people of mecca that they were all safe: "all those who lay down arms are safe. all those in the house of abu sufyan are safe. all those behind closed doors are safe."