Mount 'Aynayn
Mount ʿAynayn (Arabic: جبل عینین) or Mount Rumāt (Arabic: جبل رماة) is a small mountain in Saudi Arabia located to the south of Mount Uhud in Medina. According to historical sources of Islam, in the Battle of Uhud, Prophet Muhammad (s) stationed a group of archers under the command of 'Abd Allah b. Jubayr on Mount 'Aynayn.
Geography
This mountain, which is also known as Mount Rumat, is a small mountain situated in the south of Uhud. The grave of Hamza and other martyrs of the Battle of Uhud have separated it from Mount Uhud. The length of this mountain from east to west is roughly one hundred and fifty meters and its width is about forty meters. The passage of a qanat (subterranean canal) from its eastern side has damaged a part of this mountain, traces of which are still visible. In the Ottoman era, this mountain was used as a place for guarding and surveillance. Over time many houses were built on it which existed until recently when all those buildings were demolished so that the mountain can retain its natural shape.[1]
Etymology
The reason for naming this mountain "ʿAynayn" (meaning: two springs) is that the Kanat valley and "ʿAyn al-Shuhadaʾ" (Spring of the Martyrs) were located next to it.
Reason for the Reputation of Mount Aynayn
In the Battle of Uhud, Prophet Muhammad (s) appointed a group of archers under the command of 'Abd Allah b. Jubayr on Mount ʿAynayn, which was on the left side of Mount Uhud. In the beginning of the battle the Muslims were victorious; however the archers appointed there left their positions due to greed for booty, this gave the polytheists the opportunity to attack from this side which lead to the defeat of the Muslims.[2]
Notes
References
- Jaʿfariyān, Rasūl. Āthār-i Islāmī-yi Makka wa Madīna. Tehran, Nashr-i Mashʿar, 1384 Sh.
- Wāqidī, Muḥammad al-. Al-Maghāzī. Edited by Marsden Jones. London, n.p, 1966.