Week Three: The Battle of Uhud

Transcription

1 Contents Week Three: The Battle of Uhud The Battle of Qararatul-Kudr... 2 The Campaign of Qaynq a... 3 The Campaign of Sawiq... 4 Third year after Hijrah: The Campaign of Ghitfan and The Campaign of Buhraan... 5 Sariyyah of Zaid ibn Haritha (radiallahu anhu)... 6 The Battle of Uhud... 7 Wisdom behind the Defeat of Uhud Campaign of Hamra ul-asad and Other Events of 3 A.H

2 The Battle of Qararatul-Kudr On his return from Badr, at the beginning of Shawwal, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) heard of the building up of the Sulaim and Ghitfan forces. He thus set out with 200 Sahabah. When they reached the springs of Kudr, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was informed that they had already dispersed. After staying for 3 days, the Muslim forces returned without engaging in combat. 2

3 The Campaign of Qaynq a The Banu Qaynq a were the people of Abdullah ibn Salaam (radiallahu anhu) who were notable for their courage. On the 15 th /16 th Shawwal, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) went to their market place, assembled them in one area addressing them, Oh Jewish people, fear from Allah a doom similar to the punishment that had befallen the Quraysh. Embrace Islam because you very well know that I am a true Messenger of Allah. You will find this written in your Book (Torah) and Allah has taken a covenant from you about this. The Jews became furious and replied that he should not be deceived by his victory over the inexperienced and ignorant enemy (Quraysh). They were the first of the Jewish tribes to break the pact formed with Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and began preparations to wage war against the Muslims. The Banu Qaynq a lived on the outskirts of Madinah and as Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) set out, he appointed Abu Lubabah ibn Abul Munzir (radiallahu anhu) as his representative in Madinah. When the tribe learned of the approaching Muslim army, they sought refuge in one of their forts and sealed the doorway. The Muslim army laid siege to the fort from the 15 th Shawwal until the 1 st Dhul- Qa dah. They were forced to surrender and Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) ordered that their hands be tied behind their backs. Due to the pleas of Abdullah ibn Ubayy (the chief hypocrite), Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) spared their lives and after confiscating their property, banished them. The Muslim army then returned with the property to Madinah. 3

4 The Campaign of Sawiq When the Quraysh returned to Makkah defeated, Abu Sufyan swore an oath that he would never take a bath until an attack was launched on Madinah. Thus to fulfil this oath, he set out with 200 men at the beginning of Dhul-Hijjah. When they reached Uraid (3 miles before Madinah), they crept into a date orchard where two people were cultivating the land. Abu Sufyan killed both of them and set fire to a few trees. Thinking that he was now absolved of the oath, he fled the area. When Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) heard of this, he set out in pursuit with 200 Muhajirin and Ansar on the 5 th Dhul-Hijjah. They were unable to apprehend anyone as the Quraysh had long departed. However, as Abu Sufyan had fled, bags of wheat (sawiq) were dumped and the Muslims managed to salvage them. On the 9 th Dhul-Hijjah, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) returned from the campaign and on the 10 th performed the Eid Salat, sacrificed sheep and instructed the Muslims to also perform Udhiyyah (Qurbani). This was the first Eid-ul-Adha of the Muslims. During that same year, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) performed the Nikah of his youngest daughter Fatimah (radiallahu anha) to Ali (radiallahu anhu). 4

5 Third year after Hijrah: The Campaign of Ghitfan and The Campaign of Buhraan Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) learned that the Banu Tha labah and Banu Maharib (from Ghitfan tribe) were assembling in Najd with the intention of plundering the surrounding areas of Madinah. 450 Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) set out in Muharram. When they heard of the Muslim army s approach, the enemy dispersed into the mountains. The Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) managed to apprehend one person of the Banu Tha labah and he was brought before Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) who invited him to embrace Islam. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) spent the month of Safar there however, no one came forward and the Muslim army returned in Rabi-ul- Awwal without engaging in any battle. In Rabi-ul-Awwal, Ka b ibn Ashraf, a Jew who composed couplets to dishonour Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and incite hatred amongst the kuffar, was killed by Muhammad ibn Maslamah (radiallahu anhu). Campaign of Buhraan In Rabi-uth-Thani, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) heard that the Banu Sulaim were amassing against the Muslims in a place called Buhraan. 300 Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) set out and when the Banu Sulaim heard of this, they dispersed. The Muslim army returned to Madinah without engaging in combat. 5

6 Sariyyah of Zaid ibn Haritha (radiallahu anhu) After the Muslim victory at Badr, the Quraysh were left terrified and awestruck to such an extent that they stopped using their traditional trade routes to Syria. Instead they began the road that led to Iraq. When Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) heard of a caravan leaving Makkah, he dispatched 100 Sahabah under the command of Zaid ibn Haritha (radiallahu anhu). They attacked the caravan and took hold of the goods however, members of the caravan managed to escape. Only Furat ibn Hayyan, the guide, was captured. He was brought to Madinah were he embraced Islam. 6

7 The Battle of Uhud When the Quraysh returned to Makkah, they discovered that the trade caravan of Abu Sufyan had returned safely and its capital and profits was secure. However, they suffered the anguish of the defeat of Badr and those who had lost relatives were brimming with a thirst for vengeance. Thus, Abu Sufyan, Abdullah ibn Abi Rabi ah, Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl and other leaders held a meeting in which it was decided that the profits of the caravan should be used to prepare for war against the Muslims. The profits amounted to 50,000 dinars and this was set aside. The Quraysh elected that some women would be taken along to sing poems to arouse courage in the army. They also dispatched messengers to various tribes, inviting them to display their bravery and valour. They amassed a force of 3000 with 200 horses and 3000 camels and set out on the 5 th Shawwal under the command of Abu Sufyan. Abbas (radiallahu anhu) made a comprehensive note of these details and sent it to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) with a high speed messenger. When Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) received the message, he dispatched Anas and Munis (radiallahu anhum) to get additional information about the Quraysh. They returned to inform the Muslims that they were almost upon Madinah. Thereafter, Habbab ibn Munzir (radiallahu anhu) was sent to determine the number of people in the army. The next morning, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) consulted with the Sahabah (radiallahu anhum). The senior Muhajirin and Ansar proposed they fight within the city. However, the younger Sahabah suggested that they attack from outside. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) related a dream, giving the interpretation that they should engage the enemy whilst taking refuge in Madinah. However, when he noticed the enthusiasm of the Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) he also elected to fight outside of Madinah. On Friday 11 th Shawwal, after Asr and clad in 2 suits of armour, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) set out with 1000 men. As they approached Uhud, Abdullah ibn Ubayy, the chief of hypocrites, turned back with 300 of his men. 700 Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) with only 100 of them dressed in body armour and 2 horses proceeded. In Shaykhayn, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) performed Maghrib and spent the night there. Towards the latter part of the night, they set out and as the Muslims drew closer to Uhud, the time for Fajr set in. After performing Salat, the battle lines were drawn up. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) positioned 50 archers at the back of Mount Uhud to forestall any attack by the Quraysh from that direction. Abdullah ibn Jubair (radiallahu anhu) was appointed as their commander and warned them not to abandon their positions even if they notice the Muslims prevailing. 7

8 The Quraysh had set up camp at the foot of Mount Uhud and the first person to stride onto the battlefield was Abu Amir, the leader of the Aws tribe who retreated, unsuccessful. Thereafter, Talhah ibn Abi Talhah came forward to challenge the Muslims. Ali (radiallahu anhu) went forth and killed him. The third person to step forward was Uthman ibn Talhah, who was swiftly killed by Hamza (radiallahu anhu). In this way, 22 leaders of the Quraysh were killed. However, Hamza and Hanzalah (radiallahu anhum) were martyred. The Quraysh began to flee and the Muslims began amassing the spoils of war. When the archers saw this, they decided to abandon their positions, even though Abdullah ibn Jubair (radiallahu anhu) reminded them of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) orders. Only Abdullah ibn Jubair (radiallahu anhu) and 10 archers were left. When Khalid ibn Walid saw this, he attacked from the rear and all these Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) were martyred. Due to this unexpected attack, the Muslims were in confusion and because of this, the enemy drew close to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). Mus ab ibn Umair (radiallahu anhu) was martyred defending Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). Since he resembled Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), a rumour began to circulate that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was martyred. When the Muslims heard this, they fell into a state of panic and apprehension, attacking one another. In this, the father of Hudhayfah, Yaman (radiallahu anhum) was martyred. During this turmoil, 14 Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) stood their ground with Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). Utbah ibn Abi Waqqas hurled a stone at Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) with such force that a lower tooth was lost and the lower lip injured. Abdullah ibn Qumayah, a wrestler of the Quraysh, injured the cheek of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and 2 links of the helmet pierced his cheek. Abdullah ibn Shihab Zuhri hurled a stone, injuring the forehead of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) causing blood loss. Abu Sa eed Khudri (radiallahu anhu) sucked up the blood and cleaned Rasulullah s (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) face. Abu Ubaidah ibn Jarrah (radiallahu anhu) plucked the links of the helmet out with his teeth. Ali and Talhah (radiallahu anhum) also provided much support. The enemy mutilated the bodies of the Muslims however, whilst Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was wiping blood from his face, he continued to plead with Allah to forgive his people as they were unaware. Ubayy ibn Khalaf was also killed in the battle as he was promised by Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) that he would kill him. 8

9 Other Sahabah that were martyred include: Sa d ibn Rabi Abdullah ibn Jahsh Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Haram Amr ibn Jamuh Khallad ibn Amr ibn Jamuh Khaythamah Usayrim (radiallahu anhum) In this battle 70 Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) were martyred. 9

10 Wisdom behind the Defeat of Uhud Demonstration of consequences of disobeying Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and of losing courage and internal dissension To make a distinction between sincerity and hypocrisy, truth and falsehood in such a way that no an iota of a doubt remained For Allah to annihilate His enemies So that people may become conscious of the Divine Practice of Allah, in that He continues to bring about a fluctuation in conditions but ultimately the people of Truth will be victorious In order for people not to become proud and arrogant due to continuous victories Due to suffering defeat, the disheartened souls would turn back to Allah in humility and subsequently, Allah would bless them with true honour 10

11 Campaign of Hamra ul-asad and Other Events of 3 A.H. As the Quraysh returned, they camped at Rawha on the 15 th Shawwal. They reflected that their mission was still unaccomplished and that they should return to Madinah and launch a decisive attack. They believed the Muslims would be fatigued and wounded and not be able to successfully defeat them. By dawn, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) was informed of this and he dispatched Bilal (radiallahu anhu) to call the Muslims to make preparations. Only those who participated in Uhud would accompany the expedition. Although the Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) were severely wounded, they promptly heeded the call. The objective was to demonstrate that the spirit of the Muslims was not broken and they were neither vulnerable nor weak. On the 16 th Shawwal, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) set out and halted at a place called Hamra ul-asad, situated 8-10 miles from Madinah. Here, Ma bad Khuza l the leader of the Khuza ah tribe came and offered his condolences to Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) on the defeat of the Muslims at Uhud. He then left and went to Abu Sufyan, who expressed his desire to launch a fresh attack on Madinah. Ma bad told him that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) had set out with an enormous force to fight and when he heard this, Abu Sufyan left for Makkah. Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) stayed for 3 days before leaving for Madinah. Other events of 3 A.H. In Sha ban, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) married Hafsa (radiallahu anha) the daughter of Umar (radiallahu anhu) On the 15 th Ramadhan, Hasan (radiallahu anhu) was born In the month of Shawwal, the prohibition of alcohol was revealed 11