Genuine Gems (GRATITUDE)

16) THE BATTLE OF UHUD

This battle was fought in the month of Shawwal, (Islamic month) in the third year of Hijrah, at Mount Uhud, which is approximately three kilometers away from Madinah Munawwarah.

A year after the illustrious Battle of Badr, the defeated Mushrikeen (non Muslims) now regained their senses and a fire of revenge was ignited in their hearts. With a fully equipped army comprising three thousand (3000) young men, armed to the teeth, the Quraish (the tribe of Propeht SAWS ) prepared to attack Madinah Munawwarah. After consulting the Sahabah رضي اللّه تعالى عنه , Rasoolullah SAWS marched out of Madinah Munawwarah with an army of one thousand men, but on the way Abdullah bin Ubay, the hypocrite, deserted the Muslims together with his followers, reducing the strength of the Muslims by three hundred.

Upon reaching the battlefield, Rasoolullah SAWS positioned His army in such a way that mount Uhud fell behind them. To guard against any attack from rearward Rasoolullah SAWS stationed a battalion of fifty archers on a small hill, with instructions that they should not budge from their positions irrespective of the outcome of the battle, be it victory or defeat. (Awjaz-us-siyar)

The forces engaged each other, and a long, fierce battle followed, with the mushrik women cheering them on from the rear, beating drums and chanting war cries.

Abu Dajanah رضي اللّه تعالى عنه surged forward, penetrating the enemy lines, cutting down anyone who crossed his path.

Uncle Hamzah رضي اللّه تعالى عنه also showed his prowess to the fullest on this day, killing several enemy commanders before falling prey to Wahshi, the slave of Jubair bin Mat'am who drove a sword through his abdomen. He had been stalking Uncle Hamzah رضي اللّه تعالى عنه in the hope of a reward put on his head by Hindah, the wife of Abu Sufyaan who were both non Muslims at the time.

Mus'ab bin Umair رضي اللّه تعالى عنه stood shielding Rasoolullah SAWS against the unrelenting enemy attack, until he met his martyrdom.

The Muslim army exhibited exemplary valour and heroism on this day, standing steadfast in the trials and tribulations of the difficult path of justice and truth. (Nabiyye Rahmat)

Finally, Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'alah's promised aid arrived and the Kuffar were forced to flee in humiliation.

TABLES TURN

When the enemy began retreating, the fifty archers who had been stationed by Rasoolullah SAWS on the hill left their spots. The astute enemy seized this golden opportunity and attacked the Muslims from the rear, sandwiching them from both sides.

The Muslims' rank were broken and in the complete chaos that followed, the enemy began pelting Rasoolullah SAWS with stones. Ibne Qaymiya's stone wounded Rasoolullah SAWS's forehead and Ibne Hishaam injured Rasoolullah SAWS's arm, while a stone thrown by Utba's caused Rasoolullah SAWS to lose four teeth.

Thereafter, Rasoolullah SAWS fell into a cave and rumour spread that He SAWS had been martyred.
(Rahmatul lil Aalameen; Mercy to the worlds)

This rumour had an extremely unnerving and frustrating effect on the Muslims. Even under such circumstances some valiant and devoted Sahabah رضي اللّه تعالى عنه kept on fighting relentlessly.

At the same time every eye was searching in earnest for the 'Kaa'bah of their love' (Rasoolullah SAWS ). Hazrat Kaa'b bin Malik رضي اللّه تعالى عنه was the first to spot him.
Overjoyed, he cried out, ' May we all rejoice! Rasoolullah SAWS is present amongst us and He SAWS is unharmed and fit.'

Upon hearing this, the Sahabah رضي اللّه تعالى عنه raced towards their Beloved Prophet SAWS, alarming the Kuffar, who advanced in the same direction. Mercilessly, they rained down their arrows in the direction of Rasoolullah SAWS, but in vain. At this point in time, the following words were on the lips of our Beloved Rasoolullah SAWS.

'Allahummaghfir li Qaumi Fa Innahu La Ya'alamun.'

'Oh Allah! Forgive my people, as they know not.' (Fathul Bari, Ghazwah-e-Badr)

Hazrat Abu Talha رضي اللّه تعالى عنه guarded Rasoolullah SAWS from the attacks of the enemy with the help of a shield. When Rasoolullah SAWS would raise his head to look at the enemy, Hazrat Abu Talha رضي اللّه تعالى عنه would exclaim, ' Oh Rasoolullah SAWS! Do not raise your head, lest you get hit by one of the enemy's arrows. My body Is present to shield you. '(Bukhaari, Ghazwah-e-Uhud)

A Sahabi رضي اللّه تعالى عنه came to Rasoolullah SAWS and asked, ' Oh Rasoolullah SAWS if I get martyred, where would my abode be?'

Rasoolullah SAWS replied, 'In Jannah. ' (Heaven )

The Sahabi رضي اللّه تعالى عنه immediately threw away the dates he was eating and hastened towards the battlefield where he attained his martyrdom. (Bukhaari)

Twenty -two or twenty-three Kuffar and seventy Muslims lost their lives in this battle. (Awjaz-us-siyar)