THE POLYTHEISTS WHOM THE PROPHET CONFRONTED ON THAT DAY
Al-Bukhari related from Hammam Ibn Munabbih who heard Abu Hurairah narrate concerning the injury the Prophet sustained in the Battle of Uhud that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “The anger of Allah is intensified on a people who did this to His Messenger (pointing to his inscissors) and the anger of Allah is heightened on a man killed by a Messenger of Allah while fighting in the path of Allah.”
Ahmad related that Anas narrated that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said on the day of Uhud while blood streamed down his face: “How will the people attain salvation when they have wounded their Prophet in the face while he was merely calling them towards Allah?” Then Allah revealed: Not for you (O Muhammad, but for Allah) is the decision; whether He turns in mercy to (pardons) them or punishes them; verily, they are the Zalimoon (polytheists, disobedients, and wrongdoers, etc.). (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:128)”
Al-Bukhari related on the authority Abu Hazim who heard Sahl Ibn Sa‘d being asked about the injury which the Messenger of Allah sustained on the day of the Battle of Uhud. He said: “By Allah, I know who washed the wounds of Allah’s Messenger, who poured water (for washing them), and with what he was treated.” Sahl added, “Fatimah, the daughter of Allah’s Messenger used to wash the wounds, and ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib used to pour water from a shield. When Fatimah saw that the water aggravated the bleeding, she took a piece of a mat, burned it, and inserted its ashes into the wound so that the blood was congealed (and the bleeding stopped). His canine tooth was broken on that day, his face was wounded, and his helmet was broken on his head.”
‘A’ishah, the Mother of Believers, narrated that whenever Abu Bakr remembered the day of Uhud, he would say, “All of that day was for Talhah.” Then he would begin to recount his experience: I was the first to return on the day of Uhud and I saw a man fighting strenuously to protect the Messenger of Allah.
“During the Day of Uhud the Prophet, peace be upon him, was left alone and I was the first to go back to him. In front of him I saw a man fighting to shield him from the enemy. I said to myself: ‘I wish he were Talhah. Let my father and mother be sacrificed for you. (O Allah) Let him be Talhah!’ On the way, I was overtaken by Abu ‘Ubaidah Ibn Al-Jarrah, who was then moving as swiftly as a bird. We both rushed to dress the Prophet’s wounds. There we found Talhah suffering from serious wounds before the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. The Prophet said: ‘See to your brother. His deed entitled him for an abode in Paradise.’ I noticed that two rings of the iron-ringed helmet had penetrated the Prophet’s cheek. So I set out to take them out, but Abu ‘Ubaidah demanded: ‘By Allah, O Abu Bakr I beseech you, let me do it myself.’ Fearing to hurt the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, he started pulling one of the two rings out very slowly and carefully with his mouth. Then he pulled the arrow out by his mouth, too.
Consequently, his front tooth fell. Then I proceeded to pull the second out; but Abu ‘Ubaidah besought me to leave it: ‘O, Abu Bakr, I urge you by Allah to let me do it.’ He pulled the second ring very slowly and carefully with his mouth – till it came out. When we finished attending to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, we approached Talhah to tend to him and found that he had some ten sword-strokes on his body. (This showed how efficiently Talhah had fought and struggled on that day).”
It is more beloved to me that he was a man from my own people. Meanwhile, between me and the polytheists was a man whom I do not know. I was much closer to the Messenger of Allah than him but he moved so swiftly that I could not catch up with him. Alas, he was Abu Ubaidah Ibn Al-Jarrah. So both of us got to the Messenger of Allah and found out that his incisors had been broken and his face had been gashed and two rings of the iron-ringed helmet had penetrated his cheek. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Take care of your companion,” indicating Talhah who had been exhausted and bleeding profusely. We did not pay attention to what he said. I made an attempt to extract the ring from his face and Abu ‘Ubaidah said: “I adjure you by the right that I have (over you), leave it for me.” So, I left it for him. He attempted to remove it with his hand but that was painful for the Messenger of Allah so he applied his teeth and gently removed the first ring but one of his incisors came out with it.
I made an attempt to remove the second as I did previously but again Abu ‘Ubaidah said: “I adjure you by the right that I have (over you), leave it for me,” and again, I left it for him. He repeated what he did the first time and his second incisor also fell off with the second ring. Abu ‘Ubaidah turned out to be one of the most handsome of men with gapped teeth. When he finished taking care of Allah’s Messenger, we came to Talhah in one of the pits and on his body were about seventy injuries from stabbing, shots (from arrows) and cuts (from swords) and one of his fingers had also been amputated. So we tended to him as well.
When ‘Abdullah Ibn Qami‘ah had inflicted that injury on the Messenger of Allah, he retreated while he was triumphantly exclaiming: “I have killed Muhammad.” Then Shaytan cried out in piercing voice that traveled wide on that day: “Finally, Muhammad has been killed!” The Muslims felt extremely confused and many of them took the news as a fact. They became resolved to fight the siege against Islam until they die upon what the Messenger of Allah had died. Among those who had that resolve was Anas Ibn An-Nadr and others who shall be mentioned later.
Moreover, Allah revealed a consolation regarding this (i.e. the Prophet’s death) that this event would actually occur. Allah says: Muhammad is no more than a Messenger, and indeed (many) Messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels (as disbelievers)? And he who turns back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allah, and Allah will give reward to those who are grateful. And no person can ever die except by Allah’s Leave and at an appointed term. And whoever desires a reward in (this) world, We shall give him of it; and whoever desires a reward in the Hereafter, We shall give him thereof. And We shall reward the grateful. And many a Prophet (i.e. many from amongst the Prophets) fought (in Allah’s Cause) and along with him (fought) large bands of religious learned men. But they never lost heart for that which did befall them in Allah’s Way, nor did they weaken nor degrade themselves. And Allah loves As-Sabireen (the patient ones, etc.) And they said nothing but: “Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and our transgressions (in keeping our duties to You), establish our feet firmly, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk.” So Allah gave them the reward of this world, and the excellent reward of the Hereafter. And Allah loves Al-Muhsinoon (the good-doers). O you who believe! If you obey those who disbelieve, they will send you back on your heels, and you will turn back (from Faith) as losers. Nay, Allah is your Mawla (Patron, Lord, Helper and Protector, etc.), and He is the Best of helpers. 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 Zalimoon. (Soorah Aal ‘Imran 3:144-151)
We have summarized its explanation in our Tafseer, to Allah belong all Praise.
Abu Bakr As-Siddiq addressed the people in his first role after the death of the Messenger of Allah. He said: “O people, whoever worships Muhammad, then Muhammad is dead but whoever worships Allah, certainly Allah is Alive and He will never die,” then he recited this verse: Muhammad is no more than a Messenger, and indeed (many) Messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels (as disbelievers)? (Soorah Al ‘Imran 3: 144)
It was as if the people had never heard this verse before till Abu Bakr recited it and everybody began to recite it as well.
Ahmad related that Anas Ibn An-Nadr did not witness the Battle of Badr with the Prophet and it was burdensome for him. So he said: “I was absent in the first battle ever fought by the Messenger of Allah. If Allah lets me witness another battle alongside the Messenger of Allah, I am going to prove my courage.” He witnessed the Battle of Uhud alongside the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Sa‘d Ibn Mu‘adh approached him and Anas said to him: “O Abu ‘Amr, where are you going? Look, I can perceive the scent of Paradise before Uhud.” He fought against the disbelievers until he was killed. He was found with about eighty wounds on his body from stabs, shots (from arrows) and cuts (from swords), His sister, Amati Ar-Rubayyi‘ Bint An-Nadr said, “I could only recognize my brother from his fingertips.” This Verse was revealed: Among the Believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah [i.e. they have gone out for Jihad (holy fighting), and showed not their backs to the disbelievers], of them some have fulfilled their obligations (i.e. have been martyred), and some of them are still waiting, but they have never changed [i.e. they never proved treacherous to their covenant which they concluded with Allah] in the least. (Soorah Al-Ahzab 33:23) They opined that it was revealed concerning him and his compatriots. Related by Muslim.
Al-Bukhari related that Abul-Waleed narrated from Shu‘bah from Ibn Munkadir who said: I heard Jabir say: “When my father was martyred, I started weeping and uncovering his face. The Companions of the Prophet stopped me from doing so but the Prophet did not stop me. Then the Prophet said, ‘(O Jabir) don’t weep over him, (or, what makes him weep?) for the angels kept on shading him with their wings till his body was lifted.”
Al-Bukhari also related that once a meal was brought to ‘Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn ‘Awf while he was fasting. He said, “Mus‘ab Ibn ‘Umair was martyred, and he was better than me, yet he was shrouded in a Burdah (i.e. a sheet) so that, if his head was covered, his feet became naked, and if his feet were covered, his head became naked.” ‘Abdur-Rahman added, “Hamzah was martyred and he was better than me. Then worldly wealth was bestowed upon us and we were given too much. We are afraid that the rewards of our deeds have been given to us in this life.” ‘Abdur-Rahman then started weeping so much till the food became cold. Al-Bukhari related it exclusively.
Al-Bukhari related that Khabbab Ibn Al-Aratt said: We migrated with the Prophet seeking Allah’s Countenance, so our rewards became due and sure with Allah. Some of us passed away without receiving any of their rewards in this world. One of these was Mus‘ab Ibn ‘Umair who was martyred on the day of the Battle of Uhud. We did not find anything with which to shroud his body except a striped cloak. When we covered his head with it, his feet remained uncovered, and when we covered his feet with it, his head remained uncovered. So Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, ordered us to cover his head with it and put some Idhkhir (i.e. a kind of grass) over his feet. And there are some among us whose fruits have ripened and they are collecting them (i.e. they have received their rewards in this world).” The rest of the group related it except Ibn Majah.
Al-Bukhari related that ‘A’ishah said: “On the day (of the Battle) of Uhud when the polytheists were defeated, Iblees shouted, “O slaves of Allah! Beware of the forces at your back,” and on that the Muslims of the front files fought with the Muslims of the back files (thinking they were polytheists). Hudhaifah looked back to see his father “Al-Yaman,” (being attacked by the Muslims). He shouted, “O Allah’s Slaves! My father! My father!” By Allah, they did not stop till they killed him.” Hudhaifah said, “May Allah forgive you.” ‘Urwah said that Hudhaifah continued to do good (invoking Allah to forgive the killer of his father till he met Allah, i.e. died).”
Jabir Ibn ‘Abdullah narrated that Qatadah Ibn Nu’man eye was knocked out in the Battle of Uhud until the it hang down his cheek and Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, restored it and it turned out to be the better and sharper of his two eyes, even when the other eye was sore, the restored one remained healthy.
This is why when his son came to the presence of ‘Umar Ibn ‘Abdul-Azeez, he asked him: “Who are you?” and he responded to him extemporaneously:
I am the son of he whose eye hung down his cheek
And it was restored by the hand of Al-Mustafa (the chosen) in the best of restoration
Then it went back to its previous condition
It was the better eye and how good did the knocked eye turn
Ibn Hisham related: Umm Umarah Naseebah Bint Ka‘b Al-Maziniyyah also fought in the Battle of Uhud. Sa‘eed Ibn Abi Zaid Al-Ansari mentioned that Umm Sa‘d Bint Sa‘d Ibn Rabee‘ used to say, I visited Umm Umarah and I said to her: “O maternal aunt, narrate to me your story.” She said, “I went out in the early morning to find out what the Muslims had done (in the battle) and with me was a bucket full of water. I went to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, while he was in the midst of his Companions. When the Muslims were routed, I took position by the Prophet and began to fight to repulse (the enemy) away from him. I was shot by an arrow which injured me.” (The narrator added): I saw on her shoulder a cavity of injury and I asked her: “Who inflicted you with this injury?” She replied: “Ibn Qami’ah, may Allah humiliate him. When the people fled from around the Prophet, he approached me saying ‘Point Muhammad to me, I will not be successful if he escapes.’ So, I, Mus‘ab Ibn ‘Umair and a couple of people who remained steadfast with the Messenger of Allah accosted him and he dealt me a blow which gave me this injury. Meanwhile, I had also dealt him several blows, but the enemy of Allah was wearing two layers of armor.”
Ibn Ishaq related: Once, Anas Ibn An-Nadr, Anas Ibn Malik’s uncle, came to ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattab and Talhah Ibn ‘Ubaidullah among a group of people consisting of the Muhajiroon and the Ansar while they were downcast, so he asked them: “Why are you sitting here?” They responded: “The Messenger of Allah has been killed.” Then he said: “So, what will you do with your life after him? Stand up and fight (till you are killed) for the same cause upon which the Messenger of Allah died.” So he plunged into the battle and fought till he was killed. It was after him that Anas Ibn Malik was named.
Ibn Ishaq related that the first person to recognize the Prophet after the defeat and the false claim by the people that Allah’s Messenger had been killed, according to what I was informed of, was Ka‘b Ibn Malik. He said: “I saw his eyes shining under the helmet, so I shouted at the top of my voice: ‘O Muslims, good news, here is Allah’s Messenger!’ but Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, indicated to me to keep quiet.
Ibn Ishaq added: Saleh Ibn Ibrahim Ibn ‘Abdur-Rahman Ibn ‘Awf narrated to me that whenever Ubayy Ibn Khalaf met the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, in Makkah, he would say: O Muhammad, I have a horse which I feed a farak of sorghum everyday, I will kill you while riding on it. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, would respond: “Rather, I will be the one to kill you by the wish of Allah.” When he returned to the Quraish after he had been scratched very slightly and the blood congealed, he said: “By Allah, Muhammad has killed me.” The people said to him: “By Allah, you have lost your mind, you have only been injured slightly.” He responded to them: “He used to tell me in Makkah: ‘I will be the one to kill you’ and by Allah even if he spat on me, it would kill me.” The enemy of Allah died at Saraf while he was being carried back to Makkah.
Ibn Ishaq said that while the Messenger of Allah was at a section of the battlefield with a group of his Companions (which remained with him) a company of the Quraish appeared on a hill overlooking the Muslims. Ibn Hisham added that among them was Khalid Ibn Waleed. Ibn Ishaq continues: Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “O Allah, it is not fitting that they should be above us.” ‘Umar and a company of the Muhajiroun with him fought them until the Quraish were dislodged from the hill. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessing of Allah be upon him, then attempted to climb a boulder but was unable to due to aging. The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him, also had on him two armors. Then Talhah Ibn ‘Ubaidullah crouched underneath him so that the Prophet peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was lifted on his back until he climbed the boulder.
Yahya Ibn ‘Abbad Ibn ‘Abdullah Ibn Az-Zubair narrated to me from his father from ‘Abdullah Ibn AzZubair from Az-Zubair who said: I heard Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, say on that day: “awjaba Talhah” (i.e Paradise has become compulsory for him) due to that action of his.
Imam Ahmad related from Abu Hurairah that we witnessed the Battle of Khaibar with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and he (Allah’s Messenger) said about a man who claimed to be a Muslim: “This man is from the inmates of Hellfire.” When fighting ensued, the man fought strenuously and he was injured. Someone said: “O Messenger of Allah, the man whom you said is from the inmates of Hellfire fought bravely today and was killed.” Yet the Prophet said: “Sailing to Hellfire.” The people were almost nursing some doubts in their minds at the insistence of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. While the situation remained as such, someone said: “The man is not dead yet but he has sustained a very serious wound.” When it was nightfall, the man could no longer bear the excruciating pain from his injury so he killed himself. When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was informed of that, he said: “Allah is Greatest, I bear witness that I am a slave of Allah and His Messenger.” Then he ordered Bilal to announce that people should congregate. After they gathered, the Messenger of Allah said: “Certainly, no one will enter Paradise except a soul which has truly submitted to Allah and that Allah will aid this religion even with a sinful person.”
Ibn Ishaq related that Abu Hurairah used to say: “Inform me about the man who entered Paradise even though he never offered a single Salat (prayer).” When no one among the audience knew who it was, they asked him. He said: “Al-Usairim Banu ‘Abdul Ashhal ‘Amr Ibn Thabit Ibn Waqsh.” Al-Husain said: So I said to Mahmood Ibn Labeed, “How was the matter of Al-Usairim?” He said: He used to object to his people accepting Islam. However, when it was the day of the Battle of Uhud, it occurred to him and he accepted Islam. He took his sword and advanced in the battle till he entered deep in the thick of warriors. He fought valiantly till he was mortally wounded. At the close of the battle, some men of the Banu ‘Abdul-Ashhal were scouting the battlefield for their fallen men when they found him. They said: “By Allah, this is Usairim, what has brought him here? We had left him behind while he was still finding this speech (i.e. Islam) objectionable.” So they asked him: “What has brought you, O ‘Amr? Is it your compassion toward your people (which brought you to the battlefield) or a genuine desire for Islam?” He said: “Rather, a genuine quest for Islam. I have believed in Allah and His Messenger and I have accepted Islam, then I took my sword and advanced alongside Allah’s Messenger and I fought till I sustained what I am currently experiencing.” Shortly thereafter, he died in their hands. They mentioned the incident to Allah’s Messenger and he said: “He is from the inmates of Paradise.”
Ibn Ishaq related that my father narrated to me from some elders of Banu Salimah who said: ‘Amr Ibn Al-Jamooh was lame and disable and he had four youthful sons who fought like lions on the battlefield whenever they would accompany the Messenger of Allah on his battles. When preparations were being made for Uhud, he wanted to go, but his sons said to him: “Allah has given you a concession, so stay at home and we shall go in your place.” ‘Amr came to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and said: “These sons of mine are preventing me from participating in Jihad with you. By Allah, I hope to trot in Paradise with this lame leg of mine.” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “As for you, Allah has excused you and Jihad is not compulsory on you.” Then he turned to the sons and said: “What if you allowed him, perhaps Allah may grant him martyrdom?” They did and he went to the battle and he was killed in the Battle of Uhud. May Allah be pleased with him.
Ibn Ishaq said: It was related to me by Saleh Ibn Kaisani, Hind and the other women with her began to mutilate the coprses of the Muslim martyrs. They went round cutting the ears and noses of the Companions of Allah’s Messenger till they made necklaces and anklets out of their noses. She gave her bangles and necklaces to her slave, Wahshi. Then she ripped open Hamzah’s liver, chewed it; but finding it unpleasant, she spat it out. However, Moosa Ibn ‘Uqbah mentioned that it was Wahshi who ripped open Hamzah’s liver and he took it to Hind who chewed it but she found it difficult to swallow. And Allah knows best.
Ibn Ishaq said that when Abu Sufyan wanted to leave the battlefield, he approached the mountain and shouted at the top of his voice: “I have been compensated. War alternates. A day for the day of Badr. Exalted be Hubal!” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said to ‘Umar: “Stand up ‘Umar, and give him a fitting reply. Say to him: ‘Allah is more Exalted and Sublime. Your dead are in the Fire!’” ‘Umar acted as ordered and Abu Sufyan said: “Come down to me, ‘Umar!” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said: “Go to him and see what he wants.” ‘Umar went and Abu Sufyan said to him: “I beseech you by God, have we killed Muhammad?” ‘Umar replied: “By Allah, no. He can hear what you say at this moment.” Abu Sufyan said: “You are more truthful and sincere to me than Ibn Qami’ah.” Then he shouted: “There has been some mutilation of your dead. By Allah, I am neither pleased by it nor angry by it, and I neither forbade nor ordered it.” When Abu Sufyan turned to go away, he shouted: “Your rendezvous is Badr next year.”
Ibn Ishaq said: Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, then sent ‘Ali Ibn Abi Talib, saying: “Go after them and see what they are doing. If they leave the horses aside and ride the camels, then they are heading for Makkah. However, if they ride the horses and drive the camels, then their destination is Madinah. By Him in Whose Hands is my life, if they head for Madinah, I shall march upon them and fight them within its walls. ‘Ali said: “So I went after them and saw that they had left the horses aside and were riding the camels in the direction of Makkah.”
By: Ibn Katheer
Comments
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
John Doe
23/3/2019Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.