Book: Dalail an-Nubuwwah by Bayhaqi

Battle of Uhud and the Conflict between Muslims and Polytheists

Abu Abdullah Al-Hafiz informed us that Abu Al-Abbas: Muhammad ibn Ya'qub narrated to us that Ahmad ibn Abdul Jabbar said that Yunus ibn Bukayr narrated to us from Muhammad ibn Ishaq who said that Muhammad ibn Shihab Al-Zuhri, Asim ibn Umar ibn Qatadah, Muhammad ibn Yahya ibn Habban, Al-Husayn ibn Abdul Rahman ibn Amr ibn Sa'd ibn Mu'adh, and others among our scholars, each narrated some hadiths about the Battle of Uhud. Their hadiths converged on what I have narrated. They said:

1. When Quraysh was defeated in the Battle of Badr and returned to Makkah, Abu Sufyan returned with his caravan. Abdullah ibn Abi Rabi'ah, Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl, and Safwan ibn Umayyah spoke to Abu Sufyan ibn Harb and others from Quraysh about making use of his wealth in their war against the Prophet Muhammad in order to seek revenge for those they lost in the battle. So they did.

Translation of the Arabic Text

Surah Anfal: Battle of Badr

In this battle, Allah Almighty revealed: "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." (Quran, 8:36)

When the Quraysh gathered for war against the Messenger of Allah, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, with their allies from Kinana and Tihama, they marched with evil intentions and resolved not to retreat. They advanced until they reached a place near the outskirts of a valley close to Medina.

Upon hearing about the Quraysh's gathering, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said to the Muslims, "I have seen a cow that will be sacrificed, and its first drop of blood will be a good omen." He then recited the mentioned verse (Quran, 8:36).

Following this, Abu Sufyan bin Harb, accompanied by Hind bint Utbah, Akrima bin Abu Jahl with Umm Hakim bint Hisham bin al-Mughira, Harith bin Hisham bin al-Mughira with Fatima bint al-Walid, Safwan bin Umayyah with Barza bint Masud, and others marched out.

On that day, they were all killed, along with their fathers. Additionally, Khenas bint Malik, accompanied by her son Abu Aziz bin Umair, and Umra bint Alqamah from the Banu al-Harith bin Abd Munaf joined the battle.

Hind bint Utbah used to recite a verse whenever she passed by Wushishi, where Wushishi was also called Abu Dasmah. Wushishi was a valley near Medina.

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

Key Points:

• Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was urged by some Muslims to go out and face the enemy, however, Abdullah ibn Ubayy advised staying in the city.
• Despite the hesitation, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) eventually decided to lead his companions, including a significant number of them, in an expedition.
• During the journey, Abdullah ibn Ubayy, a hypocrite, deserted along with some of his men, causing temporary dismay among the Muslims.
• Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) continued with his companions, and his leadership was then symbolized by Ali ibn Abi Talib carrying the flag.

Translation:

As for my sword, I dreamt that I plunged it into a sturdy shield and drove it towards the city. If you decide to stay in the city and invite them where they have settled, if they choose to settle, provide a good hospitality. If they attack you, then fight them there.

Some dignified men among the Muslims who were honored with martyrdom in the Battle of Uhud and others who missed the Battle of Badr expressed to the Prophet saying: "O Messenger of Allah, go out with us against our enemies so they do not think we fear them." Abdullah ibn Ubayy advises staying in the city and not going out to face them.

However, the people continued urging the Prophet, whose followers were eager to confront the enemy. On a Friday, following the prayer, the Prophet wore his attire and led his followers. That day, a man from the Ansar named Malik ibn Amr passed away. The Prophet prayed for him and then set out with his companions, even though there was a sense of regret among some people.

When they reached the valley between Medina and Uhud, Abdullah ibn Ubayy deserted with a third of the men, stating that he disobeyed. The Prophet continued the march, with the banner that day carried by Ali ibn Abi Talib.

Story of the Battle of Uhud

Once, a man from the polytheists came out on the day of Uhud and called for single combat. People hesitated to respond until he called three times while riding on his camel. Zubayr ibn al-Awwam rose to him, leaped on him while still on his own camel, then dismounted and engaged in combat. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) exclaimed that the man who reaches the lowest part of the valley is doomed. The polytheist fell, and Zubayr struck him down with his sword.

The Prophet Muhammad then praised Zubayr for his brave act and honored him by saying that every prophet has a disciple, and Zubayr is his disciple. He also instructed Abdullah ibn Jubayr, the archers' leader, to stand firm in their positions and not to approach him from behind during the battle. The Prophet Muhammad positioned himself between two shields that day.

On the battleground, fierce fighting took place, and the Muslims, including Hamza ibn Abdul-Muttalib and Ali ibn Abi Talib, fought valiantly against the non-believers. Allah fulfilled His promise of victory to the believers and vanquished their enemies. The defeat of the polytheists was inevitable.

Story of the Battle of Uhud

Ibn Ishaq narrated: Yahya ibn Abbas ibn Abdullah ibn Zubayr informed me on the authority of his father and grandfather that Zubayr ibn al-Awam said: "By Allah, I saw myself looking at the slave girls of Hind bint Utbah and her companions who were revealing their ankles, behinds and foreheads as they were being taken captive. The archers left their positions to collect the spoils of war, exposing our backs to the cavalry. Suddenly, a man shouted, 'Muhammad has been killed!' We turned back, and the people turned back on us after they had struck the group wielding the banner until none remained near it from the people."

Ibn Ishaq continued: "The flag of the polytheists was still motionless until Umm Amara bint Alqama al-Harithiya seized it and handed it over to the Quraysh, but she received no reward for it."

Muhammad ibn Abdullah al-Hafiz reported: Abdur-Rahman ibn Al-Hasan the judge told us on the authority of Ibrahim ibn Al-Husayn, who reported from Adam ibn Abi Ayas, who reported from Warqaa, who reported from Ibn Abi Najih, who narrated from Mujahid regarding the verse: "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] so they would indeed fight you. But later, Allah will show you triumph over them until they bind you in submission."

Abu Tahir al-Faqih reported: Ali ibn Ibrahim ibn Muawiya al-Naysaburi told us on the authority of Muhammad ibn Muslim ibn Wara, who reported from Ahmad ibn Al-Fadl, who reported from Asbatu, who reported from As-Suddi, who reported from Abd Khayr, who reported from Abdullah: "None of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad sought the worldly life until the verse was revealed."

Translation of the Classical Arabic Text:

In us there are those who seek the world, and there are those who seek the hereafter. Abu Ali Al-Rudhbari informed us, saying: Abu Bakr ibn Dasa narrated to us, saying: Abu Dawood informed us, saying: Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al-Nufayli narrated to us from Zuhair (may Allah be pleased with him)...

And Abu Abdullah Al-Hafiz informed us, saying: Abu Al-Hasan Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abdus told us, saying: Uthman ibn Saeed Al-Darimi narrated to us, saying: Abdullah ibn Muhammad Al-Nufayli narrated to us from Zuhair ibn Muawiya ibn Khadeej ibn Al-Ruhail Al-Ju'fi, saying: Abu Ishaq informed us, saying: I heard Al-Bara' narrating...

He said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) placed the archers on the day of Uhud, while they were fifty men. Abdullah ibn Jubayr said, 'If you see us being snatched by birds, do not leave your position until we are sent for. And if you see us defeating the enemy and trampling over them, do not leave until you are sent for.' They were defeated, and by Allah, I saw the women tightening their belts and lifting their garments up on horses. The companions of Abdullah ibn Jubayr said, 'The spoils, O people of the spoils, your companions have appeared, what are you waiting for?' Abdullah ibn Jubayr said, 'Did you forget what the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) told you?' They replied, 'We will go to the people and take from the spoils.' When they approached, their faces turned away. They came back defeated, at that moment when the Prophet called them at the end."

"The only ones who remained with the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) were twelve men, and seventy of us were wounded, while the Prophet and his companions inflicted seventy casualties among the polytheists." Al-Nufayli commented, "I think he meant the day of Badr, where there were a hundred and forty casualties – seventy captives and seventy killed." Abu Sufyan said, 'Is Muhammad among the people? Is Muhammad among the people?' Upon this, the Messenger of Allah forbade them to respond. Then he asked, 'Is Ibn Abi Quhafa among the people? Is Ibn Abi Quhafa among the people? Is Ibn Abi Quhafa among the people?' Then he asked, 'Is Ibn Al-Khattab among the people?' He repeated this three times, then he returned to his companions and said, 'As for these, they have been killed, and Umar could not control himself.'

Conversation on the Day of Badr

Said he: “You have lied, O enemy of God! Those you counted are all alive, and what is left for you will only bring you harm.” The day of Badr, he said, “war is turmoil. You will find an example for yourselves that I did not command nor wanted.” He then started trembling and gritting his teeth. The messenger of God, peace be upon him, asked, “Will you not respond?” They said, “O messenger of God, what shall we say?” He replied, “Say, 'God is the Most High and the Most Great.'” He continued, “We have the support of God, while you have no support,” he said. The messenger of God, peace be upon him, repeated, “Will you not respond?” They asked, “O messenger of God, what shall we say?” He said, “Say, 'God is our protector and not yours.'”

Narration of the Battle of Uhud

It is narrated that on the day of Uhud, the disbelievers suffered a clear defeat. When the enemy made a retreat, Iblees screamed, “O servants of God, leave them!” Half of them returned and lashed themselves along with the others. Hudhayfah ibn al-Yaman saw his father and cried out, saying, “O my father, they did not halt until they killed him.” Hudhayfah said, “May God forgive you.” Urwah testified, “By God, Hudhayfah did not stop lamenting.”

Translation of Classical Arabic Text

Key Point: A remnant of good remains until one meets Allah Almighty.

This statement is from a hadith narrated by 'Ali ibn Mus'hir and recorded in Sahih Bukhari. It is narrated by 'Ubayd Allah ibn Sa'id, from Abu Usamah, from Farwah, from 'Ali ibn Mus'hir.

This hadith is found in Sahih Bukhari, Book of Faith and Vows, in the chapter about breaking oaths made inadvertently. The hadith number is 6668, and it can be found in the commentary of Sahih Bukhari by Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, volume 11, page 549.