16. THE DESCRIPTION OF THE BATTLE: INITIAL FLEEING AND THE EVENT VICTORY OF AL- MUTTAQOON
Jabir Ibn ‘Abdullah related from his father that Malik Ibn ‘Awf with his army advanced to Hunain and arrived before Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. They hid themselves in the crevices and curvatures along the mountain pass, well-prepared (for a surprise attack). Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and his Companionsthen approached and he (the Prophet) climbed down with them into the valley in the early morning. Soon, the horses became agitated and the enemy inundated them from all sides, dealing them a surprise attack. The people scampered as they fled in a hasty retreat, with no one caring for another. Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, withdrew to the right flank saying: “Where are the people? Come around me, I am the Messenger of Allah, I am Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdullah.” But there were only carriages of camels scattered about topsy-turvy. The people had fled. Only a few stood firmly with the Prophet. Some of them were members of his household and included: ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib, Abu Sufyan Ibn Al-Harith Ibn ‘Abdul-Muttalib and his brother, Rabee‘ah Ibn Al-Harith Ibn ‘Abdul-Muttalib, Fadl Ibn ‘Abbas (it is claimed that it was Al-Fudail Ibn Abi Sufyan), Aiman Ibn Umm Aiman, Usamah Ibn Zaid. Also among the others who remained with him was Qutham Ibn ‘Abbas, and a group among the Muhajiroun which included Abu Bakr, ‘Umar and ‘Abbas.
The narrator added: A man from Hawazin riding a red-stained camel held a black flag fixed to the end of a long spear and rode in the vanguard of the Hawazin. Whenever he came across a Muslim he would stab him and if he escaped he would raise his spear as a signal to those behind and they would pursue him. While he was devastating the ranks of the Muslims, ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib and an Ansari man went toward him with the intention of killing him. ‘Ali approached him from behind and severed the two achilles’ tendons of the camel causing it to fall backward. The Ansar pounced on the man and dealt him a big blow which severed his foot and half his shank, making them fly high (in the air), causing him to fall from his saddle. The warriors did their best in the fight. When those who had fled came back, they found prisoners fettered with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
Ibn Ishaq related that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, turned to Abu Sufyan Ibn Al-Harith Ibn ‘Abdul-Muttalib, who was among those who remained steadfast with him on that day and demonstrated his sincerity in his Islam. He held onto the reign of the mule of Allah’s Messenger and when he asked: “Who is that?” Abu Sufyan replied: “O Allah’s Messenger, It is I, your cousin.”
Ibn Ishaq related that when the people were routed and beat a hasty retreat, a number of Bedouins betrayed the Muslims because of some enmity that still lurked in their hearts. Abu Sufyan Sakhr Ibn Harb, who had recently embraced Islam, said, “Their retreat will not stop until they reach the sea.” Kaladah Ibn Al-Hanbal who came along with his half-brother, Safwan Ibn Umayyah, yelled: “Surely magic has grown inactive today.” Safwan retorted back at him: “Keep quiet, May Allah break your mouth! By Allah, it is more beloved for me to be ruled by a man from Quraish than by a man from Hawazin.”
Anas Ibn Malik reported that the Hawazin came with their children, women, camels and sheep and they arranged them in rows. When the two forces clashed, the Muslims fled as Allah said (in the Qur’an). Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, called them: “O servants of Allah, I am the servant of Allah and His Messenger.” Then he said: “O Ansar! I am the servant of Allah and His Messenger.” Thereafter, Allah routed the polytheists. ‘Affan added: “He (the Prophet) was not struck by a sword nor was he shot by an arrow.” On that day the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him,said: “Whoever kills a polytheist, for him is his spoils.” On that day, Abu Talhah killed twenty men and he took possession of all their spoils.
Abu Qatadah said: “O Allah’s Messenger, I struck a man on his neck tendon (i.e. I killed him) and he had armor on him but my attention was taken away from him (by other combatants) so please check who took it.” A man got up and said: “I have the loot of that slain person with me, so give him compensation for it, O Messenger of Allah.” The character of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was such that he was not asked for anything except that he gave it or he remained quiet, so Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, remained silent. ‘Umar then said: “No, by Allah! Allah will not allow that one of His lions should fight and then give you his spoils.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, smiled and said: “‘Umar has spoken the truth.”
Abu Talhah saw Umm Sulaim with a small dagger and he asked her: “What is this in your possession?” She replied: “I am holding a dagger in case a polytheist comes close to me so I can rip open his bowels with it.” Abu Talhah said: “O Messenger of Allah, do you not hear what Umm Sulaim is saying?” She turned to Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and said: “O Messenger of Allah, kill those who fled from you just as you killed those who fought against you, for they are deserving of that.” He replied: “O Umm Sulaim, Allah has sufficed us and has been good to us (i.e. there is no need for that).”
Imam Ahmad related on the authority of Anas Ibn Malik who narrated that part of the supplication of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, on the day of Hunainwas: “O Allah, if You wish, You will not be worshipped after today.” Its chain is threefold on the standard of the two Shaikhain.
Abu Ishaq related that he heard a man from Qais ask Al-Bara’ Ibn ‘Azib: “Did you desert Allah’s Messenger during the Battle of Hunain?” Al-Bara’ replied: “But Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, did not flee. The people of the tribe of Hawazin were good archers, so when we met them, we attacked them, and they fled. When the Muslims started collecting the war booty, the pagans barraged us with arrows, but Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, did not flee. No doubt, I saw him on his white mule and Abu Sufyan was holding its reins. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was saying: ‘I am the Prophet in truth’.”
Al-Bara’ said: “Whenever we were hard-pressed by fright we would take recourse with Allah’s Messenger, and it is indeed a brave person that people take recourse to.” Sayabah Ibn ‘Asim As-Sulami narrated that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said on the Day of Hunain: “I am the son of Al-Awatik.”
Abu Qatadah related: “We set out along with the Prophet during the year of (the Battle of) Hunain, and when we confronted the enemy, the Muslims (with the exception of the Prophet and some of his Companions) retreated. I saw one of the polytheists overpowering one of the Muslims, so I struck the polytheist from behind his neck causing his armor to break loose. The polytheist turned toward me and pressed me so forcibly that it was as if I could perceive the odor of death. Then death took him and he released me. Afterward, I followed ‘Umar and said to him: ‘What is wrong with the people?’ He said: ‘It is the order of Allah.’ The Muslims then returned (to the battle
after retreating) and (after overcoming the enemy) the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, sat and said: ‘Whoever killed an infidel and has evidence to this, will have the spoils (of the deceased).’ I (stood up) and said: ‘Who will be my witness?’ and then sat down. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, repeated his question, and then did so again (a third time). I got up and asked: ‘Who will be my witness?’ and then sat down. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, asked his question again, so I got up. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: ‘What is the matter, Abu Qatadah?’ I narrated the whole story. A man said: ‘Abu Qatadah has spoken the truth, and the spoils of the deceased are with me, so please compensate Abu Qatadah on my behalf.’ Abu Bakr said: ‘No, by Allah, it will never happen that the Prophet will leave a lion of Allah who fights for the sake of Allah and His Messenger and give his spoils to you.’ The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: ‘Abu Bakr has spoken the truth. Give it (the spoils) back to him!’ So he gave it to me and I bought a garden in (the land of) Banu Salimah with it; that was the first property I got after embracing Islam.”
Jabir Ibn ‘Abdullah narrated that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said on the day of (the Battle) of Hunain when he saw how the people had scattered in disarray: “‘Abbas, call out: ‘O company of Ansar! The people who pledged fealty under the tree!” When ‘Abbas carried out the command of Allah’s Messenger, they responded to the call saying: “Here we are, at your service. Here we are.” You would see them trying to goad their camels back to the battlefield unsuccessfully. Hastily dismounting, they would snatch their armor from their necks, take their shield and sword and then head in the direction of the call until close to one hundred of them gathered around the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. The people were arrayed and a grim battle ensued. The first call was for the Ansar and the other for the Khazraj. They persevered, displaying prodigious stamina in the heat of the battle. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, commanded the Muslim army from his mount and when he observed the place where a grim and furious sword fight was taking place, he said: “Now the fight has grown fierce.” By Allah, when those who had fled came back, they found prisoners fettered with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Allah caused some of the enemy to be killed, while others were routed. Allah granted their property and children as booty to His Messenger.
Moosa Ibn ‘Uqbah mentioned in his History of Military Expeditions on the authority of Az-Zuhri that when Allah delighted His Messenger with the Conquest of Makkah, he marched on to the Hawazin. The people of Makkah also went along with him. A large number of them went, not minding whether they were riding or walking until even women marched out, not for the religious intention, but as spectators and in quest for war booty.
Accompanying him was Abu Sufyan Ibn Harb and Safwan Ibn Umayyah; the latter’s wife had accepted Islam but he had still remained upon polytheism. It is also said that the leader of the polytheists on that day was Malik Ibn ‘Awf An-Nasri and along with him was Duraid Ibn As-Simmah who was trembling from old age. With him were women, children and livestock. Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, dispatched ‘Abdullah Ibn Abi Hadard to spy on them. He spent the night in their camp and heard Malik address his men: “In the morning, attack them as a single man (i.e. in one swoop) and break the scabbards of your swords and arrange your livestock and your women in different rows.” The following morning, Abu Sufyan, Safwan and Hakeem Ibn Hizam withdrew to the rear of the battle to observe which of the opposing forces would eventually prevail.
When the two armies were arrayed against each other, Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, rode his female donkey toward the lines. He inspected his men, gave them instructions and urged them to fight, promising them victory if they persevered. Unexpectedly, the polytheists attacked the Muslim lines in one swoop. The Muslims dispersed and took Flight.
Harithah Ibn Nu‘man said: “I estimated those who remained with Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, to be a hundred men.” A man came across Safwan Ibn Umayyah and said: “Glad tidings of the defeat of Muhammad and his Companions, by Allah, they can never reverse it.” Safwan said: “You are giving tidings of the victory of the Arabs (Bedouins), by Allah, a lord from the Quraish is far more beloved to me than a lord from the Arab tribesmen,” demonstrating his anger at the Information.
Moosa said: Safwan dispatched one of his slave boys to find out whose war cry was heard on the battlefield. The boy came back to him and said: “I heard them say: Banu ‘Abdur Rahman, Banu ‘Abdullah, Banu ‘Ubaidullah.” Upon hearing this, he said:
“Muhammad has prevailed for that is their usual slogan on the battlefield.” When the battle enveloped him, Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, stood between two riders on his female donkey and he raised his hands to Allah in supplication saying: “O Allah, I beseech You to fulfill Your promise to me. It is not fitting that they should prevail over us.” Then he called out to his Companions: “O compatriots of the pledge of fealty on the Day of Hudaibiyah, by Allah, they are assaulting your Messenger!”
It is also said that he spurred them by saying: “Helpers of Allah and His Messenger! Banu Al-Khazraj! Companions of Soorah Al- Baqarah!” He also ordered someone from among his Companions to make a similar call. (Narrators also say): The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, took a handful of earth and he hurled it at the faces of the polytheists and their collective forelocks while saying: “May your faces be humiliated!” Instantly, his Companions began to hasten back to him. It is stated that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Now the fight has grown fierce.” Allah then defeated the enemy from every angle where the pebbles from the handful of earth had gone. The Muslims pursued them and killed them. Allah granted their women and children as booty and Malik Ibn Awf fled to the fortress of Ta’if along with some noblemen from his tribe. Consequently, upon seeing the victory of Allah and His Messenger, and the honor of his religion, many people of Makkah accepted Islam.” Related by Al-Baihaqi.
‘Abbas narrated: I witnessed the Battle of Hunain with Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and I remained with him along with Abu Sufyan Ibn Al-Harith without abandoning him. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was riding a white mule presented to him byFarwah Ibn Nufathah Al-Judhami. When the two armies clashed, the Muslims turned in flight but the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, kept goading his mule in the direction of the polytheists. ‘Abbas added: “I was holding the reign of the mule to restrain it so as to prevent it from running, while Abu Sufyan held on to the stirrup of Allah’s Messenger. Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him said: ‘O ‘Abbas, call the companions of As-Samurah.’ By Allah, it was as if I motivated them. The moment they heard my voice, they (took heed like a) cow motivated with compassion to its calves. They chorused: ‘Here we are, at his service. Here we are.’ They clashed with the polytheists. The clarion call was also directed to the Ansar: ‘O Company of the Ansar! O company of the Ansar!’ The call was then restricted to Banu Al-Harith Ibn Al-Khazraj: ‘Banu Al-Harith Ibn AlKhazraj!’ While still on his mule, Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was observing the course of the battle and said: ‘Now the fighting has grown fierce.’ He took a handful of pebbles and threw it at the faces of the disbelievers and said: ‘You will be routed, by the Lord of Muhammad.’ I went to observe the proceedings of the battle, and, by Allah, the moment the Messenger flung those pebbles at them, I never ceased to see them being incapacitated and their initial advantage was Reversed.”
On the authority of Salamah Ibn Al-Akwa’ who narrated: “We fought by the side of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in the Battle of Hunain. When we encountered the enemy, I advanced and ascended a hill. A man from the enemy turned toward me and I shot him with an arrow. He (ducked and) hid himself from me. I could not understand what he did, but (all of a sudden) I saw a group of people appearing from the other hill. They and the Companions of the Prophet met in combat, but the Companions of the Prophet turned back and I too turned back defeated. I had two mantles, one of which I had wrapped around the waist (covering the lower part of my body) and the other I had put around my shoulders.
My waist wrapper got loose and I held the two mantles together. (In this downcast condition) I passed by the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who was riding on his white mule. He said: ‘The son of Akwa’ finds himself to be utterly perplexed.’ When the Companions rallied around him, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, dismounted from his mule, picked up a handful of dust from the ground, threw it at the (enemies’) faces and said: ‘May these faces be deformed!’ There was no one among the enemy whose eyes were not filled with the dust from this handful. So they turned back in flight and Allah defeated them. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, distributed their booty among the Muslims.”
On the authority of ‘Abdur Rahman Al-Fihri who narrated: “We were with the Messenger of Allah at Hunain. We marched under sweltering weather and we camped under the shadows of As Samur (trees). When the sun declined from its zenith, I donned my armor, jumped on my horse and came to Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, while he was in his tent. I said to him: ‘Peace and mercy of Allah be on you, Allah’s Messenger, the time for departure has come.’ He responded: ‘Certainly! get up, Bilal.’ So he roused from under As-Samurah whose shadow was no more than that of a bird. Bilal said: ‘Here I am at your service and may I be ransomed for you.’ So the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, instructed him: ‘Saddle my horse for me.’ So he brought him two sheets of palm fiber bereft of glamor or haughtiness. We traveled that day and we clashed with the enemy while each side was confident of victory.
“We fought against them and the Muslims turned on their heels in flight as Allah mentioned (in the Qur’an). The Messenger kept shouting: ‘O servants of Allah, I am the slave of Allah and His Messenger!’ The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, dismounted from his horse and someone who was closer to him than I was, informed me that he took a handful of earth and threw it at the face of the enemy saying: ‘May these faces be deformed!’ Ya‘la Ibn ‘Ata’ added: Some of their children related to us from their father that there was no one (among the enemy) whose eyes and mouth were not filled with the dust (from this handful). We heard clanging sounds from the sky similar to the clanging of steel when two forces confident of victory clashed. Then Allah, the Exalted, defeated them.”
Abdullah Ibn Mas‘ood narrated: “I was with Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, at the Battle of Hunain when the people turned on their heels in flight. However, 80 men among the Ansar and the Muhajiroon remained steadfast with him. Though we retreated backward for a distance of 80 steps, we did not turn our backs to the enemy. These were the people upon whom Allah sent down tranquility. Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, who was on his female
mule lunged forward and he tilted toward the ground from his saddle so I said to him: ‘Rise, may Allah elevate you.’ He said to me: ‘Scoop for me a handful of dirt.’ He threw it at the faces of the enemy and their eyes were filled with dust. He then asked: ‘Where are the Muhajireen and the Ansar?’ I said: ‘Here they are.’ He said: ‘Call out to them.’ So I called out to them (in a loud voice) and they came with their swords in their right hands like meteors. Soon after, the polytheists turned on their heels in flight.”
On the authority of ‘Abdullah Ibn Iyyad Ibn Al-Harith Al-Ansari, narrating from his father, said: Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, went to the Hawazin with 12,000 men, and the number of the dead from the people of Taif in the Battle of Hunain was similar to that of the Battle of Badr. He also added: “Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, took a handful of pebbles and threw it at our faces and we were defeated in the Battle of Hunain.”
On the authority of ‘Abdur Rahman Mawla Umm Burthun who narrated from someone who witnessed the Battle of Hunain as a polytheist. He said: “When we clashed with Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, the Muslims were unable to withstand our onslaught even for the moment within which a goat is milked. We advanced brandishing our swords in front of Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, until we overwhelmed him. Just then, some men with handsome faces stood between us and him. They said: ‘May these faces be deformed! Go back!’” We were defeated owing to that Statement.”
On the authority of Mus‘ab Ibn Shaibah, narrating from his father, said: “I advanced with Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, on the day of the Battle of Hunain. Neither Islam nor its cognizance impelled my going with them, but I detested that the Hawazin should prevail over Quraish. While I was standing by his side, I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I see that the horses are few in numbers.’ He said: ‘O Shaibah, no one sees that except a disbeliever.’ So he struck my chest with his hand and supplicated: ‘O Allah, guide Shaibah.’ He struck the second time and repeated the supplication: ‘O Allah, guide Shaibah.’ Then a third time he struck my chest and said: ‘O Allah, guide Shaibah.’ (1) By Allah, he had barely raised his hand from the third strike when no one became dearer to me from the creatures of Allah than him.”
On the authority of Shaibah Ibn ‘Uthman who narrated: “When I saw that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, became vulnerable on the Day of Hunain, I remembered the killing of my father and uncle at the hands of Hamzah. So I said to myself: ‘Today I will exact my revenge from Allah’s Messenger.’ So I snuck in on him from the right and found ‘Abbas Ibn ‘Abdul- Muttalib standing over him with a white silver-like shield. I said to myself: His uncle will never abandon him. I then approached him from his left and found Abu Sufyan Ibn Al-Harith Ibn ‘Abdul- Muttalib. Again I said to myself: His cousin will never abandon him. Then I came from behind him and I was just about to rush with my sword when a blaze of fire, like a lightening, crossed between me and him. I was scared that it might incinerate me, so I covered my face with my hands and retreated. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, turned to me and said: ‘O Shaibah! O Shaibah! Come close to me. O Allah,estrange Shaitan from him.’ I raised my gaze to look at him and he became more beloved to me than my hearing and sight. Then he said: ‘O Shaibah, fight against the disbelievers’.”
When the Hawazin were defeated, their leader, Malik Ibn ‘Awf An-Nasri stood on a hill with a section of his men and said: “Wait for your weak ones to pass and those in the rear to catch up with you.”
Ibn Ishaq related: “It has reached me that when the horses appeared while Malik and his companions were on the hill, he said to them: ‘What can you see?’ They replied: ‘We can see a group of people whose spears are placed between the ears of their horses with long forearms.’ He then said: ‘They are Banu Sulaim, no harm will come to you from them.’ When they approached, they went through the valley. Then another group of horsemen appeared in quick succession. Again, Malik asked his companions: ‘What can you see?’ They replied: ‘A group of people bearing their spears in an unassuming manner on their horses.’ He said: ‘These are the Aws and Khazraj, but no harm will come to you from them.’ When they got to the foot of the hill, they also went in the direction of Banu Sulaim. A horseman appeared, and he once again asked his companions: ‘What can you see?’ They said: ‘We can see a horseman with long forearms carrying his spear on his shoulder with a red band wrapped around his head.’ He said: ‘That is Az-Zubair Ibn Al-‘Awwam. I swear by Al-Lat, he will attack you so persevere against him.” When AzZubair got to the foot of the hill and saw the enemy, he confronted them and kept shooting at them until they were neutralized and deserted the hill.
“Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, ordered that the booty be gathered and be herded to Ji‘ranah where it would be kept. He appointed Mas‘ood Ibn ‘Amr Al-Ghifari incharge of the booty.”
On the authority of Rabah Ibn Rabee‘, brother of Hanzalah Al- Katib, who narrated that he informed him that he marched along with Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, in one of the battles he participated in. In the vanguard (of the Muslims) at that battle was Khalid Ibn Al-Waleed. Rabah and some of the Companions of Allah’s Messenger came across a woman who was killed by the vanguard of the Muslim army. So they stopped and marveled at the features of the woman until Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, caught up with them on his mount and they dispersed from her. Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, stood by her and said: “This is not the manner of fighting,” and he said to one of them: “Catch up with Khalid and inform him not to kill children and slaves.”
By: Ibn Katheer
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