PART 6

38. THE BATTLE OF UHUD (3 A.H.)

Uhud is a mountain that is some 3 miles to the north of Madinatul Munawwarah. It was here that the second battle of Islam took place. Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran: "Allah did indeed fulfill His promise to you when you with His permission were about to annihilate your enemy, - until you flinched and fell in disputing about the order, and disobeyed it after He brought you in sight of the booty which you desire. Among you are some that hanker after this world and some that desire the Hereafter. Then did He divert you from your foes in order to test you. But He forgave you: For Allah is full of grace to those that believe." (Surah Al-Imraan: 152)

38.1 REASONS THAT LED TO THE BATTLE OF UHUD

There were three main reasons that led to the Battle of Uhud. They are:-

A. The Meccan Kuffar had lost many of their best men at the Battle of Badr. They wanted revenge for their losses.
B. The Quraish were humiliated by their terrible defeat at Badr. They wanted to restore their honour and prestige among all the tribes of Arabia.
C. The Quraish aimed at taking over their old trade routes since many were closed to them when Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) made peace treaties with some of the tribes around Arabia.

38.2 MUSLIM AND KUFFAR ARMIES GATHER

After their first humiliating defeat, the Quraish were not going to take any chances. They gathered together an army of 3 000 fully armed soldiers with 200 horses and 3 000 camels. To encourage and urge the men to fight, 15 of the Kuffar women of Makkatul Mukarramah joined this huge army. Abu Sufyaan's wife, Hindah, was the leader of the Kuffar women.

Sayyiduna Abbas (radi Allahu anhu), one of the uncle's of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), did not as yet accept Islam. He lived in Makkatul Mukarramah. When he saw the war preparations that the Meccans were making, he became very concerned. He immediately sent a message to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) warning him of the danger.

When Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) received the news of the Meccan army, he became very concerned for the safety of the Muslims. He called up a meeting with his Sahaba. They decided not to risk fighting the enemy in their city, but agreed to fight them outside Madinatul Munawwarah.

It was a Friday. After Jummah Salaah, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) gathered together an army of 1 000 men. They marched to Uhud to meet the enemy. On their way, Abdullah ibn Ubayy, the leader of the hypocrites, deserted the Muslim army with 300 of his followers. Thus, the Muslim army was reduced to 700 only. Nevertheless, the Muslims marched to Uhud.

38.3 THE BATTLE BEGINS

The Muslim army reached Uhud on a Saturday. They performed their Fajr Salaah. After Fajr Salaah, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) put his army into position. He instructed 50 archers to protect an important mountain pass and told them not to leave their positions under any circumstances. Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Zubair (radi Allahu anhu) took command of the archers.

The 3 000 strong Meccan army moved forward. Both sides now clashed against each other. The Muslims fought bravely, especially Sayyiduna Hamza (radi Allahu anhu) and Sayyiduna Jujanah (radi Allahu anhu). Sayyiduna Hamza (radi Allahu anhu) was eventually made Shaheed by Wahshi, a negro slave. The 50 archers protected the mountain pass very well. The Muslim army fought tirelessly and soon had the Kuffar running away from the battlefield.

38.4 ARCHERS DISOBEY ORDERS

The Sahaba and most of the archers who were posted on the mountain pass were overjoyed when they saw the Kuffar running away from the battlefield. Thinking that the battle was over, the archers left their positions and ran to collect the booty of the Kuffar.

Khalid bin Walid, who was a Meccan leader at that time, saw the mountain pass unguarded. He took the opportunity and attacked the remaining archers from behind. He quickly sent word to Ikrama and Abu Sufyaan about the unguarded position on the mountain pass. At once, all the forces of the Quraish turned back on the Muslims. The Muslim army was now completely surrounded.

38.5 CONFUSION IN THE MUSLIM RANKS

The Muslim army was disunited. There was confusion in the ranks of the Muslim army. Sayyiduna Mus'ab bin Omair (radi Allahu anhu), the standard bearer of the Muslim army, was knocked down. Somebody raised a cry that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was made Shaheed. When the Sahaba heard this news, they gave up all hope of fighting.

Meanwhile, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was left alone on one side of the battlefield. Seeing this, one of the Kuffar hurled a stone at Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). It struck him and he fell to the ground. His blessed lip and blessed face was wounded. His blessed tooth was also chipped. Some of the Sahaba, who saw this from a distance, rushed towards him. They formed a barrier around him. They Kuffar tried to attack him but the Sahaba fought bravely to protect him. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) neither cursed nor did he think ill of the Meccans. He only said: "How can a people be successful who dye the face of the Prophet with blood while he is calling them to Allah."

Sayyiduna Kaab bin Maalik (radi Allahu anhu) saw that Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was alive and spread word to all the other Sahaba. When the other Sahaba heard this they became determined and fought courageously to drive back the Meccan army.

Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu), Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu), Sayyiduna Umar (radi Allahu anhu) and other Sahaba moved Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) to a safe place. Seven of the Ansaar men were Shaheed while protecting Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

38.6 OUTCOME OF THE BATTLE

Abu Sufyaan's wife, Hindah, together with other Kuffar men and women began cutting up the bodies of the Muslim Shuhada. Hindah chewed the liver of Sayyiduna Hamza (radi Allahu anhu). With many of their leaders killed, the Meccans made their way towards their city.

The Muslims lost 70 Sahaba. They were all buried without Ghusal so that they will present themselves before Almighty Allah in the condition in which they were slain. While they were being buried Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "I shall be witness unto them on the day of Judgement."

After burying the Shuhada, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) returned to Madinatul Munawwarah. To make sure that the Meccans did not return, he sent Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna Zubair (radi Allahu anhuma) with 70 Sahaba to pursue the Meccans. When Abu Sufyaan saw the Muslims coming towards his army, he instructed his men to hurry back to Makkatul Mukarramah. The Muslim then returned safely home.

38.7 LESSONS OF UHUD

The Sahaba learnt that discipline on the battlefield and following the commands of their leader, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was of utmost importance.

Almighty Allah sent Wahi about this battle. He told the Muslims to be patient and to trust Him. He promised the Muslims victory if they were faithful to Him. The Muslims hearts were filled were faith and trust in Allah.

The Holy Quran gives a detailed description of the Battle of Uhud in Surah Al-Imraan.

39. OTHER EVENTS (3 A.H. AND 4 A.H.)

39.1 Sayyiduna Hassan (radi Allahu anhu), the son of Sayyiduna Ali and Sayyadah Fathima (radi Allahu anhuma) was born in 3 A.H.

39.2 Some Meccans decided to raid Madinatul Munawwarah. When Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) heard about this, he sent Sayyiduna Abu Salma (radi Allahu anhu) with 153 Sahaba to pursue them. The Meccans escaped.

39.3 Sayyiduna Zaid bin Thaabit (radi Allahu anhu) became the secretary of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

39.4 Sayyiduna Hussain (radi Allahu anhu), the second son of Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) was born in 4 A.H.

39.5 HUFFAZ MADE SHAHEED

After Uhud, the Kuffar became very bold. Some Kuffar tribes tricked the Muslims. They invited the Huffaz to come to their villages and teach them about Islam. When the Huffaz went to their villages, they were made Shaheed by the Kuffar.

Seventy Huffaz, belonging to the Ansaar, were invited by the tribe of Kilab to teach them the Holy Quran. On their way to Najd, they stopped at a place called Bir-e-Mauna. Amir bin Tufail, a Kuffaar, raised an army against the Huffaz and made all of them Shaheed. This happened in the month of Safar, 4 A.H.

A similar incident took place at a place called Raji. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) sent 10 Sahaba to Raji to teach their people about Islam. They were attacked by 200 archers. Seven Sahaba were made Shaheed. The other 3 Sahaba were caught and were later made Shaheed.

It was a very trying time for the Muslims. They were patient, and prayed to Almighty Allah for help.

40. EXPULSION OF THE BANU NADIR (4 A.H.)

We learnt earlier the reasons for the Jews of the Banu Quainuqa being expelled from Madinatul Munawwarah. Why were the Jews of Banu Nadir expelled from the city?

40.1 JEWS PLAN TO KILL RASOOLULLAH (SALLAL LAAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM)

Sayyiduna Amr bin Umayyah (radi Allahu anhu) was one of the Huffaz who escaped from the Kuffar. On his way back to Madinatul Munawwarah, he saw 2 men of the Banu Amir tribe. Thinking that they were his enemies, he killed them.

When the Huffaz returned to Madinatul Munawwarah, he reported the incident to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). The Banu Nadir were friends of the Banu Amir. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) went with 10 of his Sahaba to the Jews of the Banu Nadir to settle the issue.

The Jews welcomed Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) with a show of courtesy and friendship. They made him sit below a high wall. While waiting there, he received Wahi from Almighty Allah that the Jews were planning to ambush and kill him. The Jews told a person by the name of Amr bin Jahash to drop a huge rock on Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) from the top of the wall where he was sitting.

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was already aware of this plot. He quickly got up and left the house of the Jew. He returned to Madinatul Munawwarah. The Sahaba followed later. He explained to them what had happened.

40.2 BANU NADIR EXPELLED

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) sent a message to the Banu Nadir to sign a fresh Treaty or leave Madinatul Munawwarah within 10 days.

Abdullah ibn Ubayy, the leader of the hypocrites, promised the Banu Nadir help from the Meccan Kuffar to fight the Muslims.

The Banu Nadir did not respond to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) thinking that help was on its way. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) declared war with the Jews of the Banu Nadir. The Banu Nadir locked themselves in their forts. They waited for help to come from the Meccan Kuffar. No help came.

The Banu Nadir knew that they could not fight the Muslims so they agreed to leave Madinatul Munawwarah. They took most of their belongings and settled in Khaibar, a Jewish centre in the north of Arabia. Others went off to Syria and settled there.

Surahh Al Hashr in the Holy Quran tells us about the banishment of the Banu Nadir.

With the Jews of Banu Nadir now expelled from Madinatul Munawwarah, only the Jewish tribe of the Banu Quraiza and the hypocrites remained.

40.3 ATTEMPTS TO INVADE MADINATUL MUNAWWARAH IN 5 A.H.

After the Battle of Uhud, the Kuffar were under the impression that the Muslims were weak. Many of the Kuffar from different parts of Arabia tried to invade Madinatul Munawwarah and take control. Each time, they failed.

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) sent the Sahaba on Sariyas to look for the trouble-makers and teach them a lesson. The expeditions were very successful. The Sahaba were able to confront the Kuffar and scare them off.

The Muslims in Madinatul Munawwarah now felt safe. As time went by, the Muslims became very prosperous in business. Islam was well-established.