Prepared & Presented by Jamal M. Ashraff
Preparation of Uhad
In the wake of Badr Event, Quraish was in common consent & started fresh preparations to launch an overall war against the Muslims in order to restore their blemished prestige & wounded pride. Mushiriks of Mecca were determined to crush the commonwealth of Islam once & for all. It was decided that the profits of the escaped caravan headed by Abu Sufyan, which amounted to 1000 camels & 50 thousand Dinars, should be devoted for providing equipments to the army.
Indeed, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to avert [people] from the way of Allah . So they will spend it; then it will be for them a [source of] regret; then they will be overcome. And those who have disbelieved - unto Hell they will be gathered. Surah Al-Anfal V. 36
Abu Sufyan nursed the most grudege against Muslims because he had lost
most of his supplies in As-Sawaq invasion.
The general leader was Abu Sufyan bin Harb, the cavalry under the
leadership of Khalid bin Al-Waleed assisted by Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl. Old
deep-seated feelings of hatred, with heart-based grudge enveloped the whole
process foreshadowing bitter, bloody revenge-instigated fighting between the
two parties.
Meantime in Medina – the whole of Medina was place on high alert; Ansar volunteered to guard the Prophet
Muhammad (S) & kept watchful eye all night at his door. Makkan army started
continue to march toward Ainain near Uhud Mountain. That was on Friday, 6th
Shawwal, 3 A.H. The army was fully mobilized
on Shawwal 7th, 3AH. Muslim army consisted of a thousand fighters, a
hundred of them armored, another fifty horsemen. Abdullah bin Ubai (head of the
hypocrite) rebelled against the Muslims taking with him 1/3 of the army; i.e.
300 fighters left the back to Medina. Leaving behind 700 fighters who mobilized
& moved forward with the Prophet Muhammad (S) towards the battle field. Prophet Muhammad (S) wore two armours – a front
armour & a back armour. Quraishi-women participated in the battle led
by the wife of Abu Sufyan, Hind bint Utbah.
Bitter
Defeat
When the tide turned against Muslims due to the negligence of 40 arches
deserting their posts. The encompassment of the Muslims revealed 3 categories
of people:
- First group were only interested in themselves & they went so mad they fled the battlefield & did not know what happen to the others. Some of them fled as far as Medina. Some others went up the mountain.
- Second group were those who returned to the battle, but mixed with the idolaters in such a way that could not recognize one another. Consequently, some of them were killed by mistake.
- Third group of Muslims were those who cared for nothing except the Prophet (S).
Most awkward & dangerous hour in the Messenger’s life was in Uhud.
He (S) suffered injury at his lower right incisor Ruba’iya (i.e. the tooth that
is between a canine & a front tooth) was injured. His (S) lower lip was
wounded. His (S) shoulder was injured by
the stroke that hurt the Messenger of Allah for over a month – thou it was not
strong enough to break his two armours.
He (S) dealt a heavy blow on his cheek. It was so strong that two rings
of his iron-ringed helmet penetrated into his cheek.
Wisdom
Behind The Defeat
Despite the
final outcome of this battle was a bitter defeat for the Muslims - lost 70
companions of our Prophet Muhammad (S):
- The lessons from the defeat was eventually a victory for the believers in this world & the hereafter.
- The heaps in lesson from this battle is a treasure that this Ummah benefited then & now.
- Lessons are derived from Surah Al-Imran from verse 137 to 179
Ibn al
Qayyim in his book, Zad
al-Ma`ad, cited many noble lessons
derived from the battle of Uhud, among them are:
1. Victory or Defeat is from Allah Alone
Allah's
wisdom & method required that His messengers & their followers
triumphed at times & are defeated at times, but the outcome was always in
their favour. Because if they were continually victorious, non-believers as
well as believers would join them, so sincere believers were distinguished from
hypocrites.
So do not become weak (against your
enemy), nor be sad, and you will be superior (in victory) if you are indeed
(true) believers. Surah Al Imran V. 139
2. Reward of the Highest
Allah has prepared for His believing servants
positions in His Paradise which they cannot reach through their deeds; they
will reach them only through difficulties & trials. So, He gives them the
means to reach those positions in the form of problems & ordeals.
And if you are killed or die in the
Way of Allah, forgiveness and mercy from Allah are far better than all that
they amass (of worldly wealths, etc.).
Surah Al Imran V. 157
And whether you die, or are killed,
verily, unto Allah you shall be gathered. Surah Al Imran V. 158
3. Meeting the ultimate test
Martyrdom in the sight of Allah is among the
highest ranks earned by His servants. The martyrs are His privileged servants
who are nearest to Him. In fact, after the rank of siddeeq (the intimate and
fervent supporter of a prophet) comes that of the shaheed (martyr). The only
way to attain this rank is through the circumstances leading to it, i.e. being
overcome by an enemy.
Do you think that you will enter
Paradise before Allah tests those of you who fought (in His Cause) and (also)
tests those who are As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.) Surah Al Imran V.141
You did indeed wish for death
(Ash-Shahadah - martyrdom) before you met it. Now you have seen it openly with
your own eyes. Surah Al Imran V. 142
4.
Record Against Disbelieving People
When Allah intends to destroy His enemies He
provides them with the causes for their
destruction. The greatest of these causes after disbelief is their
oppression, tyranny and abuse of His sincere servants, their waging war against
them & overpowering them. In this way, He purifies His servants of their
sins & shortcomings. And thereby, He increases the causes of His enemies'
destruction.
We shall cast terror into the hearts
of those who disbelieve, because they joined others in worship with Allah, for
which He had sent no authority; their abode will be the Fire and how evil is
the abode of the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers). Surah Al Imran V. 151
And Allah had certainly fulfilled His promise
to you when you were killing the enemy by His permission until [the time] when
you lost courage and fell to disputing about the order [given by the Prophet]
and disobeyed after He had shown you that which you love. Among you are some
who desire this world, and among you are some who desire the Hereafter. Then he
turned you back from them [defeated] that He might test you. And He has already
forgiven you, and Allah is the possessor of bounty for the believers. Surah Al Imran V. 152
5. Disobeying the Messenger (S)
The believers learned the negative consequence
of disobedience which resulted in loss of courage and dispute, and that what
occurred was the result of it. When they experienced the consequence of their
disobedience to the Messenger (S), their weakening and their arguments, they
became more careful and aware thereafter.
Despite crystal clear instructions from the Messenger of Allah (S) to the 50 Archers to guard the passage way via Mount Uhad they defected, only 10 Archers adhered strictly to the order of the Prophet Muhammad (S).
“Defend our backs! If you see us slain. Do not come to assist us; & if you see gaining grounds, do not share us.” Recorded in Fath al-Bari 7/350 In a version by Bukhari the Prophet (S) said:
“If you see us snatched into pieces
by birds, do not leave this position of yours till I send for you. And if you
see that we have defeated the enemy & trodden on them do not desert your
position till I sent for you.” Hadith
1/426
Muhammad is not but a messenger.
[Other] messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed,
would you turn back on your heels [to unbelief]? And he who turns back on his
heels will never harm Allah at all; but Allah will reward the grateful. Surah Al Imran V.144
Ibn Al-Qayyim, said,
The Battle of Uhud was a preliminary incident
to the death of the Prophet (S). This is why Allah reproached them because they
would have otherwise relapsed to unbelief if the Prophet (S) died or was
killed. Rather, they should have been steadfast and adherent to their religion
until they died or were killed, as they worshipped the Lord of Muhammad (S)-
the One who does not die.
Thus, if Muhammad (S) died or was killed, they
were not to quit their religion, as every soul will taste death & neither
the Prophet (S) nor they were to be eternalized; rather, they should have
focused on dying as Muslims.
Al-Qurtubi says,
“This verse was revealed in order to reproach
the weak. It means that these people should not have been weakened even if the
Prophet (S) was killed. Also, prophet hood does not stave off death, and
religions do not vanish with the death of the Prophets, may Allah exalt their
mention.”
Manner of the Messenger
Aklaqah & the Messenger of Allah
So by mercy from Allah , [O Muhammad], you were
lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart,
they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness
for them and consult them in the matter. And when you have decided, then rely
upon Allah . Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]. Surah Al Imran V.
159
If Allah should aid you, no one can overcome
you; but if He should forsake you, who is there that can aid you after Him? And
upon Allah let the believers rely. Surah Al Imran V.160
Around sixty-five Ansar and four Muhajirun were
honoured with martyrdom, while there were twenty-two fatalities among the
polytheists.
Lessons we take home
You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah . If only the People of the Scripture had believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are believers, but most of them are defiantly disobedient.
Surah Al Imran V. 110
