The Battle of Uhud

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

The Battle Of Uhud

The defeat at Badr was an ignominy which the Quraishites pride could not leave unavenged. Revenge was, therefore, the catchword all over Makkah. The Makkans even forbade lamenting over their murdered people, or ransoming their captives at Badr Battle lest the Muslims should realize the grave degree of sadness and feeling of tragedy they were experiencing.

In the wake of Badr event, Quraish was in common consent and started fresh preparations to launch an overall war against the Muslims in order to restore their blemished prestige and wounded pride. The most enthusiastic polytheists desiring to go into a new battle were ‘Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl, Safwan bin Omaiyah, Abu Sufyan bin Harb, and ‘Abdullah bin Abi Rabi‘a.

They were determined to crush the commonwealth of Islam once and for all. Emissaries were sent to all the tribes to make common cause against the rising Faith. As a consequence of this, they managed to enlist the support of two well-known tribes Kinana and Tihamah besides some desert Bedouins Ahabish. It was also decided that the profits of the escaped caravan headed by Abu Sufyan, which amounted to 1000 camels and 50 thousand Dinars, should be devoted for providing equipment to the army. The Noble Qur’an has alluded to this decision of theirs in the following words:

“Verily, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to hinder (men) from the path of Allah, and so will they continue to spend it; but in the end it will become an anguish for them. Then they will be overcome.” [Surah Al-Anfal 8:36]

They also devised other ways of recruitment including hiring poets to entice the tribes into fighting the Muslims. Safwan bin Omaiyah allured Abu ‘Azza, the poet to work in this context in return for riches after the war or supporting his daughters if killed. Incidentally, this poet was prisoner of war (in the context of the Badr events) in the hands of the Muslims and the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) was gracious enough to release him unransomed provided he would not engage in fight against him.

Abu Sufyan nursed the most grudge against Muslims because he had lost most of his supplies in As-Sawiq invasion, let alone the heavy economic losses that Quraish had sustained in the aftermath of the events that featured the platoon of Zaid bin Harithah.

In the light of these successive failures, Quraish precipitated and accelerated their preparations for a decisive battle with the Muslims. At the turn of the year everything was ready for the move. The Makkans also decided to take their women along with them for they might arouse them to fight manfully. Thus a contingent of three thousand pitched warriors, of whom seven hundred were mailed soldiers and two hundred well-mounted cavalry with three thousand camels and fifteen women marched towards Madinah. The general leader was Abu Sufyan bin Harb, the cavalry under the leadership of Khalid bin Al-Waleed assisted by ‘Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl, and Bani ‘Abd Ad-Dar were entrusted with the flag.

Old deep-seated feelings of hatred, with heart-based grudge enveloped the whole process foreshadowing bitter, bloody revenge-instigated fighting between the two parties. Meanwhile Al-‘Abbas bin ‘Abdul Muttalib, (Radhi Allahu Anhu) was closely watching the military movements and preparations for war, and these were all included in an urgent message sent by him to Prophet
(Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) who received it while he was in Qubâ’ Mosque. Ubai bin Ka‘b read the letter to the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam), who asked him to be reticent with respect to its serious contents.

He hurried back to Madinah, convened a meeting with the Helpers and Emigrants and conducted with them serious consultations as regards the measures to be taken. The whole of Madinah was put on the alert and all men were heavily armed even during prayer in anticipation of any emergency. A group of Helpers volunteered to guard the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) and kept watchful eye all night at his door, amongst whom there were Sa‘d bin Mu‘adh, Usaid bin Hudair and Sa‘d bin ‘Ubadah. Lest they should be taken by surprise, armed groups of the Madinese began to police the entrances and roads leading to the city. To reconnoitre the movements of the polytheists, Muslim platoons began to patrol the routes for any probable enemy raids.

The Makkan army, on the other hand, continued the march along the usual western road. On reaching Al-Abwâ’, Hind bint ‘Utbah, Abu Sufyan’s wife, suggested that they dig up the grave of the Prophet’s mother, but the leaders of the army refused to do so for fear of the consequent results. The army then followed Wadi Al-‘Aqeeq and turned right to encamp themselves at a place called ‘Ainain near Uhud Mountain. That was on Friday, 6th Shawwal, 3 A.H.

To continue Insha Allah

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A Consultant Assembly For A Defence Plan:

The scouting party of Madinah conveyed the news of the Makkan army step by step. Then the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) held a head military consultation assembly to exchange views about the situation. He told them about a dream he had. He said: “By Allah, I have dreamt of— I implore Allah to be a dream of bounty — cows slaughtered and that there was a groove at the pointed top of my sword, and that I had inserted my hand into an immune armour.”

The interpretation of ‘the cows’ was that some of his men were killed, and ‘the groove at the pointed top of his sword’ was that a member of his House would be hurt. As for ‘the armour’ it was Madinah.

Then he offered a suggestion that his Companions should not go out of Madinah and that they should encamp themselves within the city. He was of the opinion that the enemies should be left in the open to exhaust themselves and thus the Muslims would not risk a battle. But if they thought of attacking Madinah, Muslim men would be ready to fight them at the mouths of lanes; whereas Muslim-women would help from over the house roofs.” ‘Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul — the head of the hypocrites; who attended the meeting as a chief of Al-Khazraj — supported the Prophet’s (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) plan.

As a matter of fact his agreement was not based on the righteousness of the plan but rather on personal benefit. He did not want to fight. On the contrary he secretly aimed at being far away from fight. However it was Allah’s Will that he should be disclosed and disgraced in public — for the first time. It was His Will that the curtain which concealed their disbelief behind should be uncovered and pulled down. Allah’s Will enabled the Muslims to recognize the reality of those snakes that were creeping within their garments and inside the sleeves of their clothes. Thanks to Allah they recognized them in one of the most critical times of their lives.

Some of the best honourable Companions (Radhi Allahu Anhum), who had missed Al-Jihâd in Badr invasion, suggested that the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) should go out of Madinah and urged him to accept their point of view. One of them said: “O, Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam), for long time we have been looking forward to this day; and we have implored Allah to make such a day draw near. Thanks to Allah it is time to fight. So let us go out and fight our enemies lest they should think that we have lost heart and do not dare to fight them.” Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib (Radhi Allahu Anhu) the paternal uncle of the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam), who had already covered the ornaments of his sword with idolaters’ blood in Badr Battle, was ahead of those enthusiastics who urged him to go out and meet the disbelievers. He said to the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) : “By Allah, Who has sent the Book down unto you, I will not taste food till I fight them with my sword outside Madinah.” After weighing careful the pros and cons of the issue, it was decided that the enemy should be resisted outside the city at Uhud.


To continue Insha Allah

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Dividing The Islamic Army Into Phalanxes Departure To The Battle-Field:

Ascending the pulpit at the Friday congregational prayer, the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) urged the people in his sermon to fight courageously. “If you remain steadfast,” he said “you will be helped by the Power of the All- Mighty.” Then he commanded his men to make ready for the battle. Most of them rejoiced greatly.

He led the afternoon prayer with crowds of people. Then he entered his house accompanied by his two friends Abu Bakr and ‘Umar (Radhi Allahu Anhuma). They helped him dress and wear his headcloth. He armed himself and wore two armours one over the other. He wore his sword and went out to meet people.

People were waiting for him impatiently. Sa‘d bin Mu‘adh and Usaid bin Hudair (Radhi Allahu Anhuma) blamed the people for pressing on the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam). They said: “You have forced the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) to fight the enemy outside Madinah.” Therefore they were determined to leave the whole matter to the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam), and blamed themselves for what they had already done.

When the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) came out, they said: “O Messenger of Allah, we should have not disagreed with you. So, you are free to do what you desire. If you prefer to stay inside Madinah we will stay with you. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) remarked:

“It does not become a Prophet that once he had put on armour, he should take it off, until Allah has decided between him and the enemy.” (Ahmad, Nasa’i, Hakim)

The Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) divided his army into three battalions:

1. Al-Muhajireen battalion, under the command of Mus‘ab bin ‘Umair Al-‘Abdari.
2. Al-Ansari-Aws battalion was commanded by Usaid bin Hudair.
3. Al-Ansari-Khazraj battalion with Al-Hubab bin Al-Mundhir to lead it.

The army consisted of a thousand fighters; a hundred of them armoured; another fifty horsemen. He appointed Ibn Umm Maktum (Radhi Allahu Anhu) to lead the people in prayer in Madinah. Departure was announced and the army moved northwards with the two Sa‘ds, who were armoured, running in front of the army.

Upon passing along Al-Wada‘ mountain trail he saw a well-armed battalion, which were detached from the main body of the army. The Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) inquired who they were and he was told that they were Jews and were allies of Al-Khazraj. They told him that they wanted to contribute to the fight against the idolaters. “Have they embraced Islam?” The Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) asked. “No,” they said. So he refused admitting them and said that he would not seek the assistance of disbelievers against the idolaters.


To continue Insha Allah

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Parading The Army:

As soon as he (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) reached a location called Ash-Shaikhan, he paraded his army. He dismissed those whom he considered to be disabled or too young to stand the fight. Among them were ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab. Usama bin Zaid; Usaid bin Zaheer, Zaid bin Thabit, Zaid bin Arqam. ‘Araba bin Aws, ‘Amr bin Hazm, Abu Sa‘eed Al-Khudri, Zaid bin Haritha Al-Ansari, Sa‘d bin Habba and Al- Barâ’ bin ‘Azib, Sahih Al-Bukhari pointed out that he had shared in the fight that day.

The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) allowed both Rafi‘ bin Khadaij and Samura bin Jundub to join the army — though they were too young. The former proved to be skillful at shooting arrows; the latter wrestled the former and beat him. The admission of Rafi‘ made Samura say: “I am stronger than him, I can overcome him.” When the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) heard this saying he ordered them to wrestle. They did. Samura won so he was also admitted.


Passing The Night Between Uhud And Madinah:

As night fell upon them there, they performed both the sunset and the evening prayers and spent the night there as well. Fifty people were chosen to guard the camp and go round it. Muhammad bin Maslama Al-Ansari, the hero of the brigade of Ka‘b bin Al-Ashraf, was in charge of the guards. Whereas Dhakwan bin ‘Abd Qais undertook the responsibility of guarding the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam), in particular.


The Rebellion Of 'Abdallah Bin Ubai And His Followers:

At the end of the night and just before it was daybreak, the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) moved and when he got to Ash-Shawt he observed the dawn prayer. There he was close enough to the enemy that they could see one another. It was there that ‘Abdullah bin Ubai — the hypocrite — rebelled against the Muslims. One-third of the army withdrew with him — that is to say three hundred fighters. He said, “We do not know why we shall kill ourselves.” He claimed that his withdrawal was no more than showing protest against the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) who had already refused his opinion and accepted that of the others.

Undoubtedly that was not the real cause of his detachment. If it had been the refusal of his opinion — as the hypocrite claimed — there would have no sense whatsoever for his joining the Prophetic army. If it had been so, he would have refused to go out with the army from the very beginning of the march. As a matter of fact the real purpose of this rebellion, withdrawal and detachment — at this delicate and awkward position and time — was to produce bewilderment, confusion of mind, and disorder in the Muslims army who were within the sight and hear range of the enemy who were also looking forward to seeing more and more dissension on the side of the Muslims, like themselves. They also aimed at breaking the high morale of the believers. That would accelerate — in their opinion — the breakdown and consequently the death of Muhammad (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam), his faithful Companions (Radhi Allahu Anhum) and Islam as a whole. The way would then be clear for the reclaim of presidency, which that hypocrite had lost on the advent of Islam into Madinah.

Short of Allah’s Care, the hypocrite’s plot would have been successful. Banu Haritha of Al-Aws and Banu Salama of Al-Khazraj were partially impressed by the hypocrite’s behaviour. Both of them were overwhelmed by confusion and they had almost started to withdraw, but Allah’s Care saved them from that disgrace. About their incident Allah says:

”When two parties from among you were about to lose their heart, but Allah was their Wali (Supporter and Protector). And in Allah should the believers put their trust.” [[Surah Aal-‘Imran 3]

‘Abdullah bin Haram — the father of Jabir bin ‘Abdullah — attempted to stop their withdrawal. He reminded the hypocrites of their duty at this delicate and awkward condition, but in vain. He followed them, reproached them and urged them to go back saying: “Come and fight in the way of Allah or at least be defenders.” They said: “If we had known that you would really fight we would have not gone back.” Having despaired of them, he addressed them saying: “May Allah cast you away, you enemies of Allah. Allah will certainly suffice His Prophet.” Allah says about those hypocrites:

”And that He might test the hypocrites, it was said to them: ‘Come, fight in the way of Allah or (at least) defend yourselves.’ They said: ‘Had we known that fighting will take place, we would certainly have followed you.’ They were that day, nearer to disbelief than to Faith, saying with their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allah has full knowledge of what they conceal.” [Surah Aal-‘Imran 3]

The Reminder Of The Islamic Army Are On The Move To Uhud:

With the remainder of fighters, the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) moved towards the enemy. After the rebellion and withdrawal of the hypocrites, the number of soldiers was reduced to seven hundred only.

The camp of idolaters was situated in such a place that the many roads leading to Uhud were almost blocked by them. So the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said to his men: “Which man of you can lead us to where the people (i.e. the idolaters) are, along a short track that does not pass by them?” Abu Khaithama said: “O Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam), I am the man you need.” Then he chose a short track that led to Uhud passing by Harrah Bani Harithah and their farms, leaving the idolaters’ army westwards.

On their way they passed by Ha’it (i.e. the field) of Marba‘ bin Qaizi, who was a blind hypocrite. When Marba‘ felt and realized that they were the Prophetic army, he started throwing earth at their faces, so they rushed to kill him, but the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) said:”Do not kill him. He is blind in heart and eyes.”

The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi wa Sallam) went along till climbed down the hillock of Uhud at the slope of the valley. He camped there with his army facing Madinah while their backs were to the hills of Uhud mountain. So the army of the enemy stood a barrier between the Muslims and Madinah.