Battle of Hamra' al-Asad: Difference between revisions

In the battle of Hamra al-Asad no fight started between the two sides, as a result some do not regard this incident as a [[Ghazwa]].

The battle of Hamra al-Asad took place in Sunday the eighth of [[Shawwal]] three years after [[Hijra]]. The activities started only one day after [[the battle of Uhud]], in which Muslims' army was defeated. They stayed firmly in Hamra al-Asad region, 20 kilometers in the south of [[Medina]].

The day after the battle of Uhud, when Muslims' soldiers were taking care of their injured, [[Prophet Muhammad (s)]] told [[Bilal al-Habashi]] to state: "Prophet ordered to chase after the enemies and only those who attended the battle yesterday should come with us, no one else."

According to the first narration, seventy out of more than seven hundred Muslim soldiers attended the battle of Uhud were martyred and the survivors were ordered to take part in the battle of Hamra al-Asad.

On the other hand, according to the second narration, Muslims' army included sixty to seventy soldiers the same number of the martyred soldiers in the battle of Uhud. The 172nd verse of Al 'Imran sura (Alladin Istajabu lillahi wa al-rasuli min ba'di ma asabahum al-qarhu li lladina ahsanu minhum wa ttaqu ajrun 'azim: Of those who answered the call of Allah and the Apostle even after being wounded those who do right and refrain from wrong have a great reward.) and the statement of Prophet Muhammad (s), "those who follow the orders of Allah relentlessly and chase after your enemy, it would be destructive for them and it would be even recognized more.", both confirm the second narration.

Also there is another weak narration: Prophet Muhammad (s) prepared an army including a number of participants of the battle of Uhud and also a number of soldiers who did not attend in the battle of Uhud.

However the injured from the battle of Uhud followed the order of Prophet (s) and took part in the battle of Hamra al-Asad. Forty members of [[Banu Salama]] who were badly injured also accompanied Prophet (s) in this battle. Some including [['Abd Allah b. Sahl Rafi']] and his brother, Rafi', joined Prophet's army as well, although they did not have any ride. [[Jabir b. Abd Allah Al-Ansari]] was the only person who did not attend the battle of Uhud but he was allowed to attend the battle of Hamra all-Asad by Prophet (s).

Prophet Muhammad (s) gave the flag of Muslims' army to [[Ali b. Abi Talib (a)]] (or according to another narration [[Abu Bakr]]), and after praying they got ready and set out for the battle.

The goal of this battle which was ordered by Allah, was preventing Muslims' enemies to start a new attack to [[Medina]] in which Muslims showed their strength and power to their enemies. As Muslims were defeated in [[the battle of Uhud]], they were even stronger and more strong-willed to defend themselves.

When Prophet Muhammad (s) was preparing his army, he said: "Then it would be more destructive for our enemy and it would be even recognized more."

Based on another narration, when Prophet Muhammad (s) was informed that their enemies stayed in Rawha' region and there were planning to attack Muslims again, he ordered Muslims to chase after them.

Prophet Muhammad (s) sent three members of [[Banu Aslam]] tribe to chase the enemies. They reached [[Quraysh]] army in Hamra al-Asad region but two of them were martyred. Then Quraysh leaders were discussing about attacking Muslims again. [[Safwan b. Umayya]] warned them not to seek revenge and advised them to refrain from another attack as they would face a setback. Afterwards Quraysh army continued their way and they stayed in Rawha' region twenty kilometers off Medina.

Also Prophet Muhammad (s) and his army stayed in Hamra al-Asad. Prophet (s) ordered his soldiers to set a lot of fire so that Quraysh army would believe the number of Muslims' soldiers is near five hundred.

When Muslims' army were staying in Hamra al-Asad, Abu Sufyan were thinking of a new attack to Muslims and he was trying to convince other [[Quraysh]] leaders. He sent a letter to [[Prophet (s)]] in which he expressed his wish to attack Muslims again and perish the rest of them. Prophet Muhammad (s) replied: "Hasbuna Allah was ni'm al-wakil: Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs."

Meanwhile [[Ma'bad b. Abi Ma'bad b. Khuza'i]] as well as other followers of Prophet (s) in [[Quraysh]] held a meeting with [[Abu Sufyan]], in which [[Ma'bad]] convinced Abu Sufyan and other leaders of Quraysh through his statements and poems to refrain from another attack to [[Medina]]. He told Abu Sufyan: "Muhammad (s) has come to Hamra al-Asad with soldiers who are incandescent with rage; I have never seen such furious men before." As a result, Quraysh army happy with their previous victory and scared of angered Muslims quickly returned Mecca. Then Ma'bad Khuza'i sent a letter to Prophet Muhammad (s) and informed him about their return to [[Mecca]].

After five days Prophet Muhammad (s) and his army returned Medina. Meanwhile [[Abd Allah b. Umm Maktum]] was Prophet's deputy in Medina while he was gone. The battle of Hamra al-Asad was mental defeat which damaged spirit of [[Quraysh]] army, oppositions and [[Jews]] in [[Medina]]; it also strengthened spirit and wills of Muslims. The verses 172 to 175 of [[sura]] [[Al 'Imran]] were descended on this incident.

Because in Hamra al-Asad no battles started between the sides, some did not regard it as a [[Ghazwa]].