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The Battle of Uhud

Anonymous

category: History & Biographies

source: Seerah.net

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Zayd b. Thabit relates that on the day of Uhud, the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) asked him to look for S'ad b. ar-Rab'i and ask the same person, after conveying his greetings to him, how he felt at the moment. Zayd searched for S'ad b. ar-Rab'i and found him lying wounded among the slain ones breathing his last. Zayd counted seventy cuts from swords, arrows and javelins on his body. Zayd conveyed the message of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) to S'ad b. ar-Rab'I to which he replied, "Convey my greetings to the Prophet and tell him that I smell the fragrance of the Paradise." "And tell my people," continued S'ad b. ar-Rab'I, "you would have no excuse before God if the enemy lays its hand on the Prophet while you are still alive and breathing." S'ad had hardly finished his message when he relinquished his life. (Zad al-Ma'ad, Vol. p. 353)

Before departing for the battle of Uhud, ‘Abdullah b. Jahsh had thus implored God, "Upon Thy Word, O God, tomorrow I shall fight the enemy. They may slay me, then rip up my belly and cut off my nose and ears. Then Thou shouldest ask me: what for I had it happened? And I would give the reply: ‘for thee, My Lord. " (Zad al-Ma'ad, Vol. p. 353)

MUSLIMS REGAIN CONFIDENCE

A renewed vigor was thrust into the Muslims when they found that the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) was still alive. Many of them gathered round him and took him towards a secluded, narrow valley. Ubayy b. Khalaf who caught up with the Prophet's (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) party said, "Muhammad, if you escape, I will be doomed. " The Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam), however, asked his companions to leave him alone, but when Ubayy insisted on coming near the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam), he took the lance from one of his companions. Then, turning to face him, the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam), using the sphere, struck the neck of Ubayy b. Khalaf who fell from his way going head over heels. (Ibn Hisham, Vol. II, p. 84)

On reaching the mouth of the secluded, narrow valley, ‘Ali (radiallahu 'anhu) brought water in his shield and Fatimah (radiallahu 'anhu) washed the blood from the Prophet's (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) face. When his wounds continued bleeding, 'Ali (radiallahu 'anhu) burnt a piece of mat and dressed the wounds of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) with its ash and the bleeding stopped. (Ibn Hisham, Vol. II, p. 85, Al-Bukhaari and Muslim, Section, Battle of Uhud).

'Aisha (radiallahu 'anhaa) brought drinking water in leather bags for the wounded (Al-Bukhaari, Section, Battle of Uhud) while Umm Sulaym drew water for them. (Al-Bukhaari, Section, Umm Salit)

Hind b. ‘Utbah and the women with her mutilated the dead bodies of Muslims and cut off their ears and noses. Hind cut out Hamza's liver and chewed it, but when she could not swallow it, she threw it away. (Ibn Hisham , Vol. II, p. 91)

Before ordering his army to retire Abu Sufyan ascended a hillock and shouted. "Victory in war goes by turns: one wins today and the other tomorrow - Glory be to Hubal." The Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) told 'Umar to get up and say in reply, "God is the Highest and Most Majestic; None exists besides him. Our dead are in paradise and yours in Hell." (Ibn Hisham , Vol. II, p. 93)

Abu Sufayan came out with the reply, "We have the idol ‘Uzza while you have none." The Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) again directed his companions to say in reply: "Allah is our protector, but you have none." (Al-Bukhaari, Section, Battle of Uhud)

"Before Abu Sufyan departed, he called out, "We shall meet again at Badr next year." Thereupon the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) asked a companion to say, "Yes, it is an appointment between us". (Ibn Hisham, Vol. II, p. 94)

The people searched for their dead in order to give them a proper burial. The Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) was visibly moved by the death of Hamza, his uncle and foster-brother who had always been a source of strength to him.

THE EXEMPLARY ENDURANCE

Safia bint ‘Abdul Muttalib was the full sister of Hamza. When she came forward to see her brother, the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) asked her son, Zubair b. al-Awwan to send her back so that she might not see her brother's dead body, which had been mutilated. Accordingly Zubair said to her, "Mother, the Prophet wants you to go back." She replied, "Why? I know that my brother has been mutilated but it was for the sake of God. I hope for a goodly return from Him and shall be patient, if God wills." She went to see her brother and prayed for him. Then the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) ordered that he should be buried in Uhud, where his grave still exists up to this day. (Ibn Hisham, Vol. II, p. 97)

BURIAL OF MUS'AB B. UMAYR (radiallahu 'anhu)

The standard bearer of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) on the day of Uhud was Mus'ab b. Umayr (radiallahu 'anhu). Before his conversion to Islam, he was one of the best-dressed youngmen of Quraish brought up in the course of luxury. Only a piece of rough cloth could be found as a shroud for his burial when he was slain in the battle of Uhud. The garment was so small that when his head was covered, his feet appeared and when his feet were wrapped his head was exposed; so the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, "Cover his head and put some brush over his feet." (Al-Bukhaari, Chapter, Battle of Uhud)

The Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) directed the martyrs to be shrouded in pairs and ordered the lowering of the corpse of that martyr first in the grave who had memorized more of the Qur'an. While the martyrs were being buried, he said, "I shall be a witness unto them on the Day of Resurrection." He also ordered to them to be buried in the condition in which they had died.(10)

LOVING REGARD FOR THE PROPHET (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam)

On their way back to their homes certain Muslims passed by a woman whose husband, brother and father had been killed at Uhud. When she was told of their death she asked, "Tell me first about the Prophet?" The people replied, "Thanks God, the Prophet is safe." But she was not satisfied and asked whether she could see the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) herself. When the people brought her to the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) she said, "Now that you are safe, every adversity is gone." (Ibn Hisham, Vol. II, p. 99)

DEVOTION AND FAITHFULNESS

The Makkan army had departed from Uhud but they had not gone far away when the people were heard complaining against one another and accusing their leaders of withdrawing without pressing home their advantage. On the other hand, the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) decided the very next day, which was Sunday, to move out in pursuit of the retreating enemy. It was the time when most of the Muslims were tired and wounded, but the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) sent a person to announce that everybody who had been present in the battle of Uhud should get ready to pursue the enemy. None demurred, none protested; every Muslim who had fought at Uhud the day before followed the Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) on his way out of Madeenah in spite of his fatigue and wounds. The Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) camped with his followers at Hamra al-Asad, about 13 kilometers from Madina, where he remained from Monday until Wednesday. The Prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and the rest returned when there was no more possibility of the enemy's resurgence. (Ibn Kathir. Vo. II, p. 97). The dutiful compliance to the Prophet's (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) command by his companions at this difficult hour exhibited their love for him, which was felt all too deeply and has been mentioned by God through the following verses of the Qur'an:

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