Battle of Uhud: Difference between revisions

'''The Battle of Uhud''' (Arabic:غزوة اُحُد) was a famous [[Ghazwa]] of [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]] against the [[polytheists]] of [[Mecca]] in 3 A.H. [[Quraysh]] marched out toward [[Medina]], as they desired to avenge their losses in [[the battle of Badr]] while [[Abu Sufyan]] was the commander of the army. Prophet Muhammad (s) and senior members of [[Ansar]] and [[Muhajirun]] planned to fight against Quraysh within Medina and never left the city; on the other hand young Muslims and also [[Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib]], Prophet's uncle, were willing to fight outside the city. Finally Prophet Muhammad (s) decided to accept the wishes of the latter. At first, Muslims defeated Meccans, but a part of Muslim archers having Abd-Allah ibn Jubayr as their commander on [[Mount Aynayn]] on the left flank of Uhud, left their assigned posts and faced a surprise attack from Meccans which led to defeat of Muslims. They faced a serious defeat with approximately 70 martyred Muslims including Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib who got mutilated, even Prophet Muhammad (s) was badly injured on his face and his tooth.

Meccans tried to avenge their losses in [[the battle of Badr]], so they marched toward [[Medina]] in 3 A.H, while [[Abu Sufyan]] was leading their army. He persuaded [[Amr ibn al-As]], [[Ibn Zuba'ri]] and [[Abu Azza]] to motivate and gather other tribes for the battle. Then they marched toward Medina with three thousand soldiers. According to [[Al-Waqidi's]] narration, Prophet Muhammad (s) was secretly informed about Quraysh army that marched toward Medina by [['Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib]], his uncle, in [[Quba]] near Medina. But other [[hadiths]] did not mention this letter to Prophet Muhammad (s).

In 5th of [[Shawwal]] Meccan army arrived Urayd area near Uhud. One of prophet's companions informed him about the number and military warfare of enemies. Some senior members of [[Banu Khazraj]] and [[Banu Aws]] including [[Sa'd ibn Ma'adh]], [[Usayd ibn Hudayr]] and [[Sa'd ibn Ubada]] were guarding in a mosque to early morning of Friday in the fear of [[Quraysh]] attack.

On Friday Prophet Muhammad (s) hold a meeting over how best to defend against the enemies. Prophet Muhammad (s) and many of senior members of Ansar and Muhajirun suggested that it would be safer to fight against them within Medina, while young Muslims and also [[Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib]] were arguing to fight with them outside Medina. Finally Prophet decided to accept the wishes of the latter.

===Departing of Abd-Allah ibn Ubayy===

Shortly after Prophet's soldiers settled in Uhud, [[Abd-Allah ibn Ubayy]] and a number of Muslim soldiers withdrew their support for Prophet Muhammad (s) and returned to Medina, because they were discontent with the plan of fighting outside of Medina. Therefore, the number of Muslim soldiers reduced to 700 as they were ready to face the Meccans' army.

Prophet Muhammad (s) stationed Muslim soldiers on the slopes of Mount Uhud and facing Medina so that they could face enemies while protected by the towering Mount Uhud. He assigned a group of archers on [[Mount Aynayn with [[Abd-Allah ibn Jubayr]] as their commander. The Meccan army positioned itself facing Muslim soldiers, [[Khalid ibn al-Walid]] and [[Ikrimah ibn Abi-Jahl]] were commanders of right and left flanks of their army. Before the battle commence, Prophet Muhammad (s) gave a speech to Muslim soldiers and ordered archers to never leave their positions under any circumstances and only protect the other soldiers.

At the beginning [[Talha ibn Abi Talha]], advanced and challenged Muslims to a duel, then [['Ali ibn Abi Talib (a)]] rushed forth and struck Talha down. Afterward Muslims became joyful and attacked through the lines of Meccans. The Meccan army was pushed back and they ran away.

Muslim archers who were appointed on the left flank disobeyed Prophet's orders and they ran downhill to load plunder. Abd-Allah ibn Jubayr tried to make them return to their posts but it was unsuccessful. Earlier Khalid ibn al-Walid had some ineffective attacks to the left flank of Muslim army. When they noticed the scattered Muslim soldiers, they attacked again alongside Ikrimah ibn Abi-Jahl to the remaining soldiers on the hill and the rear. Rumors were circulating that Prophet Muhammad (s) was perished. It brought disorder to Muslim army, they scattered all over the place, however some managed to withdraw and regroup on hills. Prophet Muhammad (s) was wounded due to the stones were thrown at him which caused injuries on his forehead and his tooth. Prophet and few remained companions managed to retreat and find a safe place on the mountain.

As [[Al-Shykh al-Mufid]] narrated from [[Abd-Allah ibn Masud]]: “Muslim soldiers were scattered and they tried to run away, only [['Ali ibn Abi Talib (a)]] stayed near Prophet Muhammad (s) to protect him. Then some other Muslims joined Prophet (s) including [[Asim ibn Thabit]], [[Abu Dujana]] and [[Sahl ibn Hanif]].”

Meccans swept through Muslim soldiers and martyred many, most importantly [[Hamza ibn Abd al-Muttalib]]. [[Jubayr ibn Mut'im's]] slave, [[Wahshi ibn Harb]], threw Hamza down with a spear and then cut open his corpse, taking out his liver for [[Hind]], Abu Sufyan's wife. She attempted to eat his liver, because Hamza had killed her father before. After Hamza was martyred and mutilated, Prophet Muhammad (s) was dejected and irritated.

After fighting had ceased, Abu Sufyan came near Muslims who were gathered on slopes of hills, after praising idols he said, this war was a respond to [[the battle of Badr]].

The battle of Uhud was fought on Saturday, 7th of [[Shawwal]] 3 A.H (23rd of March 625). It is also said it was in 15th of Shawwal in 3 A.H.

According to sources, some [[verses]] were revealed on this battle, most importantly verses 121 to 129 of [[Al-i-Imran]]. In addition, some [[hadiths]] are mentioned from Prophet Muhammad (s) on this battle. Afterward [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]] sometimes visited the burial site of martyred Muslims in Uhud. Since then, travelers visit their burial site on the way to [[Medina]].