Chapter 18- Battle of Uhud

Battle of Uhud

645 A.C

 “Thou shalt in no wise reckon those who have been slain in the cause of Allah, dead; nay, they are sustained alive with their Lord rejoicing for what Allah in his favor hath granted them.”

Quran 3: 163

The crushing defeat at Badr did not abate the hatred of the Makkan Musyrikin one jot rather did inflame it the more; for it was a cruel blow to their pride that such a tiny mob of ill-equipped men and boys should have been able to conquer them. As they fled from the field of Badr they called out to the Muslims that next year they would come again to take vengeance for their dead, and revenge became the watchword in Makkah. Having lost all their leaders, the command was now given to Abu Sufyan, who sore, he would not rest until he had his revenge, and it was agreed that all the profits accrued to them from commerce should be spent in the preparation of contemplated expedition.

Abu Sufyan immediately set about collecting an army. Not being content with Makkan Musyrikin alone he endeavored to secure outside help, and by the end of the year succeeded in gathering three thousand soldiers, including two hundred Cavalry, and seven hundred veterans, well-armed and equipped. He also included women in his army, so that they might rouse the spirits of the soldiers by their war songs.  

Thus arrayed, they marched towards Madinah in the year 3 A.H (625 A.C), and encamped three miles from the city at the foot of the hill called Uhud.  Bent upon destruction, they not only cut down all the crops in the fields, but also let’s loose their camels and horses to graze and do so much damage as possible. When Rasulullah ﷺ heard of this, he summoned his companions to discuss the situation and decide on the best plan to adopt.

 A short time previously Rasulullah ﷺ had had certain visions which he related to his companions. In these visions he saw that his sword was clipped. This meant some injury to himself. Again, he saw his body covered with a coat of mail. This meant that he and his companions should not venture outside the walls of Madinah. In another he saw so many cows being killed. This meant danger to his people. So he decided not to go outside Madinah to meet the enemy as they had done at the battle of Badr, but to remain within its four walls. The elder among the companions agreed, but the youthful and young blood desired to go out and fight in the open. 

To stay within Madinah, they said, would naturally give the enemy the impression that they were afraid. As the majority was of this opinion, Rasulullah ﷺ yielded to their wishes, and went to put on his armor and make preparation for their departure. He marched out of Madinah at sunset, with a force of a thousand, among them there being only one hundred men properly armed, and two horsemen. 

They spent the night at a place not far from the city, and at dawn resumed their march. As they neared the enemy, Abdullah bin Ubayy, who had embraced Islam hypocritically after the battle of Badr, deserted the Muslims with his three hundred men. Abdullah bin Ubayy was a leader of a party of Madinites who, though openly with the Muslims, yet were surreptitiously trafficking with Makkan Musyrikin. 

Thus because of the treachery of Abdullah bin Ubayy, the Muslim army was left only seven hundred strong, most of them unarmed and unskilled in warfare. The only strength left them was their seal and enthusiasm to defend the Truth at any cost; and this worked with equal force in the hearts of all., old and young alike. There was a boy who wished to enlist but, being too young, was rejected. He went before Rasulullah ﷺ and stretched himself and stood on tiptoe to look taller. 

He was so very eager to join that in the end Rasulullah ﷺ allow him to enlist.  Seeing this , another little boy came forward. He said he was very strong and he could wrestle with another bigger than himself and throw him. He was permitted to prove his assertion, and after that he, too, was allowed to enlist.  A very old man came to Rasulullah ﷺ and said to him, “ I am O! Rasulullah ﷺ, on the very verge of the grave. What a blessing it would be if my life came to an end striking a blow in defense of Rasulullah ﷺ.

Rasulullah ﷺ, as a skilled general, took up a position with rocks of Uhud to protect the rear. Rasulullah ﷺ himself arranged the ranks. Only one side was there a gap through the rocks and by that way was there a danger of attack from the enemy.

Rasulullah ﷺ, observing the importance of this , posted fifty archers there with strict orders not to leave the post on any account, even if the Muslims were on the point of defeat.

As to the army of the Makkan Musyrikin, as has been stated that Aby Sufyan was appointed leader. He split up his force into detachments, and gave the command of each separate person, he himself taking a central position near the camel which had on it the idol “Hubal’, meaning the greatest god. Besides the women who were there to rouse the men with their war songs, there was a Christian monk and poet, Abil Amir, who also undertook to lash the spirit of the warriors. 

He was formerly an inhabitant of Madinah, where he had wielded great power and influence owing to his spiritual and abstemious life, but later, on the arrival of Rasulullah ﷺ, he left Madinah. For it was a great blow to him to see the reverence and homage that was once given to him pass to another.

He betook himself to Makkah, and thought that by appearing in the Makkan Musyrikin army he would succeed in inducing the Madinites to desert the Muslims. After the army was drawn up, he stepped out and reminded the Helpers among the Muslims who he was.  But he was received with contempt and forced to withdraw.

The Battle of Uhud, Likes all other battles in those days, began with duels, in which “Sayidina Ali ra and Sayidina Hamza ra killed many of the enemy. After this the fighting became general and the Muslim fell upon the enemy with fury.

Again, Sayidina Ali ra, Sayidina Hamza ra and Sayidina Abu Dujana ra displayed their velour and inflicted heavy losses on the foe. Each time they fell on the enemy they cause havoc among the ranks, dealing death on all sides, Hindun, (the wicked lady at that time and a Makkan Musyrikin), the wife of Abu Sufyan was there – one of the bitterest of all the bitter enemies of the Muslims, and especially of Sayidina Hamza ra. Hindun bribed a negro slave to kill Sayidina Hamza ra at the first opportunity, which he did, taking him unawares and killing him with his spear. 

Hindun thought that with the fall of Sayidina Hamza ra the Muslims would lose heart and the battle as well. But events proved that she was wrong; for, thereafter, the Muslims fought all more desperately. Many of the Makkan standard bearers fell, as well as a good number of their trained soldiers. Seeing their brave once slain one after the other caused such utter confusion and panic among the Makkan Musyrikin that they took to flight, closely pursued by the Muslims. 

Once more the Muslim were on the point of securing another glorious victory over the Makkan, and would assuredly have done so but for the disobedience of the archers who had been left to guard the gap in the rocks. Seeing the Makkan put to flight and believing the Muslims to be victorious they disobeyed the orders of their Commander to join in the pursuit. 

Khalid bin Walid, who commanded the cavalry of the Makkan Musyrikin army, observing this, turned with his two hundred men and fell upon the Muslim army in the rear thus gave heart to the fleeing Makkan Musyrikin, who seeing Khalid attacked the scattered Muslims, stopped in their flight, and, turning, also pressed upon the Muslims, who were thus attacked on both sides.

Rasulullah ﷺ, who had kept behind with i Talha ra and Sayidina Saad ra, seeing Khalid sweep down on the Muslim rear through the gap deserted by the archers, at once realize the grave danger to which they were exposed. There were only two courses left to him – to fly and leave his army to its fate, or to risk his life and call out the men to make them aware of their danger. To Rasulullah ﷺ, the former course is out of the question. He shouted with all his might, “Rally to me, I am Rasulullah,” hearing Rasulullah ﷺ voice, the Muslims immediately turned and perceived the danger they were in. 

But in warning of Rasulullah ﷺ had made himself target of  was dead. Then the enemy. Deeming him the cause of all the trouble, they were determined to kill him. His faithful companions defended him from the shower of arrows as best they could. One by one they fell around him, saving his life at the cost of their own. Sayidina Mus’ab bin Umair ra, the standard bearer of Rasulullah ﷺ, fell. He greatly resembled Rasulullah ﷺ in appearance. Someone thought he was Rasulullah ﷺ. The cry went up that Rasulullah ﷺ was slain. 

The news spread like wild-fire among the Muslims, causing grief and greater confusion. Some lost heart and laid down their arms, saying that there was no use fighting any longer, seeing that Rasulullah ﷺ was dead. Then one of the companions said, “If our Rasulullah ﷺ is not among us, let us at least continue to fight for which he fought and died.” These words put fresh heart into them and they took up their swords and fell upon the enemy. They soon learnt, to their intense relief, that Rasulullah ﷺ was still alive and, clustering round him, withstood bravely the terrible attacks the enemies were making. 

But meanwhile Rasulullah ﷺ had receive serious injuries, and unable to stand any longer, through loss of blood, he collapsed. His faithful companions made a wall around him with their own bodies. The enemy tried their best to break it, but to no purpose; for as fast as one man fell another took his place. To show how men and women, to save the life of Rasulullah ﷺ exposed themselves to danger, the name of woman, Saidatuna Nasiba binti Kaab ra, must be mentioned.  

She, it is said, dropped a water jug to fight near Rasulullah ﷺ with her husband and sons, seized the shield of a Muslim and defended the ground step by step although she was wounded thirteen times. Her son was struck by he side. She bound hid wound and sent him back to fight.

By this time order had been restored in the Muslims ranks, which having retreated to a safe position, were now able to put up a good fight and to repulse the attack of the enemy every time. The Makkan Musyrikin  soon gave up all hopes of crushing the Muslims; for they were now at a disadvantage, being entirely exposed to the shower of arrows while the Muslims themselves were sheltered from their arrows. In the end they decided to retreat, and with bitterness of frustration vented their hatred on the dead bodies of Muslims.

Vile acts of barbarity were committed on the dead, bodies of Muslims.  Hindun, the wife of Abu Sufyan, who had hated Sayidina Hamza ra and was the cause of his death, seeing his dead body lying, ripped it open, tore out the liver, and chewed it. She then took his intestine and garlanded herself with them.

The Makkan Musyrikin preferred to gratify her hatred by mutilating the dead bodies of Muslims. While their women insulted and mutilated the dead Muslims. They cut off their noses and ears to make necklaces, bracelets, and belts. Abu Sufyan a Kafir then, ran about the battlefield, hoping to find Rasulullah ﷺ’s body. He recognized the dead body of his son amongst the ranks of the Muslims. He then advanced towards the summit of Mount Uhud where Rasulullah ﷺ was standing with his faithful companions. “Is Muhammad with you?”  Abu Sufyan cried. Rasulullah ﷺ forbade them to answer. “And Abu Bakr is he there? And Omar?”  called out Abu Sufyan. 

The Muslim did not speak. “Then all of them are slain; had they been alive they must have responded,” said Abu Sufyan. “You lie!” called out one of Rasulullah ﷺ’s companions, who could no longer contain himself. “In any case the victory is ours,” replied Abu Sufyan. “To us alone, if Allah’s will,” said the Muslims. “All days,” said Abu Sufyan, “are not alike. To-day make up for Badr. War has its ups and downs. You will the bodies of your dead mutilated. I invite you to meet me again next year at the well of Badr so that we may measure our strength again.”

 And Abu Sufyan began to intone a chant composed in the rajaz metre: “Be praised, O Hubal, be praised. Thy religion has triumphed.” “Allah is the greatest and most magnificent,” answered the Muslims. “We have Al Uzza and you have not Al uzza,” continued Abu Sufyan. And Rasulullah ﷺ said to his companions, have you no answer to that?” “What shall we say, O! Rasulullah ﷺ “Say,” said Rasulullah ﷺ, “Allah is our protector and you have no protector,”

It was here that while arrows were being showered on him, Rasulullah ﷺ addressed these pray to Allah; “O! Allah! Forgive my countrymen; for they know not,” This shows that Rasulullah ﷺ had a heart full of mercy even for the enemy.

  Thus ended the battle of Uhud, in victory to none. The enemies were perplexed on the question of their retreat. What were they to say on their return to Makkah? Not that they have been victorious; for they had neither the spoils of victory nor the prisoner of war to show to their people. So, after retreating some distance, they halted to ponder over this and decide what was to be done. Someone suggested going back to fight to the finish, but there was no response to this.

 For the courage and spirit of all were too low to permit them to go back and face the Muslims again. The Muslim on the other hand, were asked by Rasulullah ﷺ if they would like to give chase to the enemy, and every one among them, though almost exhausted, gladly responded to the call. Meanwhile the Makkan Musyrikin  army was still wavering over the best course to adopt, when the news reached them that the Muslims were after them. This was too much for Abu Sufyan, who gathered his men together and quickly marched off.

It has been said that the Muslims were defeated at the battle of Uhud. Such a verdict merely betrays lack of knowledge of the actual facts. It is true that the losses of the Muslims were heavy, but, nevertheless, it would wrong to assert that they were defeated. Would it be possible, when those defeated to be the last to leave the battlefield? While the victorious march off without any prisoner of war and so with the spoils of war?  Or would the defeated to be have the courage to follow on pursued the victors a few hours after the battle. The victor themselves decamp when they hear of the pursuit?

No doubt it could not be called a complete victory to the Muslims, yet it could not be called a defeat either. The Muslims who held the field to the last and saw the enemy retreat before them. The loss of so many among them did not cause the Muslims to lose heart, although it is true that the enemy rejoiced at the large number of Muslim dead. They thought that thereby the power of Islam had been greatly reduced. But they forgot that Islam is imperishable.

 To quote the words of Muhammad Iqbal, “Islam is like a rubber ball, which bounces the higher the harder it is hit.”

Lessons from the Battle of Uhud

After the Muslims’ victory in the Battle of Badr, Allah Rabbul Jalalluh wanted to test His believing slaves in order to distinguish the truthful believers from the hypocrites. During  the Battle of Uhud, Rasulullah ﷺ, and his Companions underwent a difficult trial. In the wake of this battle, Allah The Almighty revealed verses that will be recited until the Day of Judgment. Allah The Almighty revealed 58 verses from Surah Aal-‘Imraan (the third chapter of the Quran) about this battle. The verses begin by mentioning the first stage of the Battle. 

Allah The Almighty Says (what means): 

And [remember] when you, [O Muhammad], left your family in the morning to post the believers at their stations for the battle [of Uhud] - and Allah is Hearing and Knowing."

[Quran 3: 121]. 

These verses ended with a conclusive comment on the outcome of the Battle and the wisdom behind it. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): 

"Allah would not leave the believers in that [state] you are in [presently] until  He separates the evil from the good. Nor would Allah reveal to you the unseen. But [instead], Allah chooses of His Messengers whom He Wills, so believe in Allah and His Messengers. And if you believe and fear Him, then for you is a great reward"

[Quran 3: 179]. 

These verses precisely describe the Battle and shed light on hidden feelings and intentions. These verses provide us with great lessons that should be transmitted from one generation to the next. In the following lines, we shall have a quick glimpse at some of the benefits and aspects of the divine wisdom behind this great battle. In the Battle of Uhud, disobedience, losing courage and disputation were the reasons behind the Muslims being defeated. 

The archers disobeyed the command of Rasulullah ﷺ, and the Muslim fighters disputed over the war booty, and these were sufficient to drive away victory after it had been so close. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): 

"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 Rasulullah ﷺ] 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] that He might test you. And He has already forgiven you, and Allah is the possessor of bounty for the believers"

 [Quran 3: 152]. 

How could those who disobeyed their Lord, the command of their Rasulullah ﷺ, and became disunited seek the victory of Allah?

From this Battle, we also learn that it is very dangerous to prefer the worldly life to the Hereafter because this is a reason for losing the Support and Victory of Allah The Almighty. Ibn Mas‘ud ra, said, “I did not think that any of the Companions of Rasulullah ﷺ, desired the worldly life until Allah The Almighty revealed on the Day of Uhud the verse (what means): {Among you are some who desire this world, and among you are some who desire the Hereafter}

 [Quran 3: 152]” 

The great lesson that should be learned from this is that loving this world and being attached to it may creep into the hearts of the faithful and righteous while they are unaware. Therefore, one must examine his soul care and remove anything that might prevent him from responding to the orders of Allah The Almighty or avoiding His prohibitions. 

Part of the wisdom behind this Battle was that Allah The Almighty wanted to honor  some of His slaves by granting them martyrdom, which is one of the highest ranks and degrees man can obtain. He wanted to take martyrs from among His slaves whose blood was shed for His sake and who prefer His love and satisfaction to their own souls. Allah The Almighty Says (what means) ; 

 "And [He may] take to Himself from among you martyrs"

 [Quran 3:140]

The Battle of Uhud confirmed the Way of Allah The Almighty concerning the      confrontation between truth and falsehood, and guidance and misguidance. It is the Way of Allah The Almighty that His Messengers and their followers on one hand, and their enemies on the other, should take turns in attaining victory. However, ultimately, victory will inevitably be only for the believers. Falsehood may last for an hour but the truth will last until the Last Hour, and one will never find any change in the Way of Allah The Almighty.

Paradise is precious and cannot be attained without passing over the bridge of difficulties and hardship. An easy victory does not last and people do not appreciate its value. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): 

"Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while Allah has not yet made evident those of you who fight in His cause and made evident those who are steadfast"  

[Quran 3: 142]

One should make good use of the material and spiritual means available along with reliance on Allah Azz Wajal. Rasulullah ﷺ, fought while he was wearing two sets of armor and a breastplate. His Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all, fought alongside him and the angels Jibril (Gabriel) and Mikhail , may Allah exalt their mention, defended him with great strength, despite the fact that Allah The Almighty had protected him from being killed.

The believers were purified, and they were distinguished from the hypocrites, while the disbelievers were wiped out as they deserved the punishment of Allah Rabbul Jalalluh, who combined all these benefits when He Says (which means): 

 "So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are [true] believers. If a wound should touch you - there has already touched the [opposing] people a wound similar to it. And these days [of varying conditions] We alternate among the people so that Allah may make evident those who believe and [may] take to Himself from among you martyrs - and Allah does not like the wrongdoers - And that Allah may purify the believers [through trials] and destroy the disbelievers"

[Quran 3:139-141]

This is only part of the wisdom and lessons that could be learnt from this Battle, for it is not possible to mention them all here. This great battle is considered a vivid example of the afflictions and hardship that the Muslims nowadays are suffering from. Indeed, we must reflect on this battle and try to benefit from its lessons. In this critical phase, the entire nation is in a dire need to reconsider its situation, recall its memory, and fully understand the Sirah (biography) of the Rasulullah ﷺ.

Battle of Uhud: Archer's Mount #1

This is the small mount upon which Rasulullah ﷺ commanded 50 Sahaba who were archers to stand on to defend the flank of the Muslims in the battle of Uhud.

Rasulullah ﷺ told them very strictly, "Protect our backs. If you see us being killed, do not come to our aid, and if you see us winning, do not join us." In another narration, he said, "If you see the vultures flying off with us, do not leave until I send you a message, and if you see us victorious over the enemy and trampling them under foot, do not leave until I send you a message. 

[Both narrations are from Imam Ahmad].

Upon seeing the Muslims gaining the upper hand, many of the archers left their post to join them in taking the booty. Their leader, Abdullah ibn Zubair, earnestly reminded them of the instructions of the Rasulullah ﷺ. Nevertheless, 40 of the 50 left to partake in taking the booty of war.

Khalid ibn Walid and Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahal were both the leaders of the cavalry of Quraysh. When they saw the vulnerability at this flank position by coming around this hill, he brought his men from the rear. When the remaining Quraysh saw this, they fought harder and thus, the Muslims were being fought from both sides and were being sandwiched. The Muslims became frantic and disorganized. Many were martyred.

 Allah Rabbul Jalalluh  spoke about this in the holy Qur'an, where He says, 

"And Allah did indeed fulfil His Promise to you when you were killing them (your enemy) with His Permission; until (the moment) you lost your courage and fell to disputing about the order (given by Rasulullah ﷺ), and disobeyed after He showed you (of the booty) which you love (victory). Among you are some that desire this world and some that desire the Hereafter. Then He made you flee from them (your enemy), that He might test you. But surely, He forgave you, and Allah is Most Gracious to the believers." 

[Surah Aali Imran, 3:152]

 Only 12 men remained around Rasulullah ﷺ defending him, along with one woman. Rasulullah ﷺ was hit with a rock and fell on his side, breaking his front teeth, slashing his face, and splitting his lips. Saidatuna Fatimah az Zahra ra, Rasulullah ﷺ's daughter, was washing the wounds with her husband Sayidina  Ali ibn Abi Talib ra. Ali was pouring the water from his shield over the wounds while she was washing the wounds. When she saw that the water was only increasing the bleeding, she set fire to a piece of matting and attached it to the wound to stop the bleeding. 

[Bukhari]. 

Rasulullah ﷺ helmet was also crushed onto his head. Ibn Qami'ah was the one who hit Rasulullah ﷺ in the cheek, while 'Utbah ibn Abi Waqqas hit the lip and lower tooth of the Rasulullah ﷺ. Abdul-Razzaq says that Rasulullah ﷺ made a Dua' against 'Utbah, saying "Oh Allah, may change not come to him so he dies as a disbeliever." Imam Ibn Kathir comments on this by saying that no change came to him and he did die as a disbeliever bound to hell fire.

Sayidina Anas ibn Malik ra narrated that Rasulullah ﷺ said, while wiping the blood off his face, "How can any people prosper who struck their prophet and broke his front teeth while he called people to Allah?"

 Allah Azza Wajal, revealed:  

"Not for you (O Rasulullah ﷺ, but for Allah) is the decision; whether He turns in mercy to (pardons) them or punishes them; verily, they are the wrong-doers."

 [Surah Aali Imran, 3: 128]

 

Battle of Uhud

Further information: Battle of Uhud

In the consultations preceding the approaching Makkan attack on Madinah in 625, Abdullah Ibn Ubayy had favored Rasulullah ﷺ's original plan to defend from the strongholds inside Madinah  itself:

{{bquote|...our city is a virgin, inviolate. We have never gone forth to our enemies, but we have suffered loss: remaining within our walls, we have beaten them off with slaughter. Leave the Coreish alone. If they remain, it will be in evil case; when they retire, it will be disappointed and frustrated in their designs.

 Some young Muslims, however, argued that the Makkan should be fought outside the city. Persuaded by the latter, Rasulullah ﷺ adopted an offensive strategy. According to Islamic tradition,[which?] Abdullah Ibn Ubayy expressed his anger about his advice being rejected: "We do not know why we shall kill ourselves".

 When Rasulullah ﷺ marched out to fight the Makkans, Abdullah Ibn Ubayy also marched out with 300 of his own men and his remaining Jewish allies, according to al-Waqid; however, Rasulullah ﷺ ordered him to send the Jews back into the town, calling them "idolaters". Abdullah Ibn Ubayy then led his men back to Madinah, retiring to the strongholds, while Rasulullah ﷺ resumed his advance. Islamic tradition presumes that Abdullah Ibn Ubayy turned back to protect the town or his own possessions. According to Watt, Surah 3:166 interprets Abdullah Ibn Ubayy's withdrawal as showing: "cowardice and lack of belief in God and Rasulullah ﷺs 700 men met the 3000 of the Quraysh in the Battle of Uhud and were defeated. The Quraysh, however, did not succeed in killing Rasulullah ﷺ, and did not attempt to occupy the town of Madinah, possibly because they knew it was guarded by Abdullah Ibn Ubayy.

Another Lesson from The Battle of Uhud

Around 300 of the hypocrites left the army of the Muslims on the way to Uhud, and when the rest of the sahaba saw such a large group leaving they began to debate amongst themselves about what was to be done.

One opinion was that the Muslims themselves should turn back and fight the munaafiqun as traitors before they got to Uhud. And the other idea was instead to continue on to Uhud and deal with them later. And this actually became a full argument, and although it was still an argument for the sake of Islam, Allah reprimanded them for this in Surah Nisa, ayat 88:

فَمَا لَكُمْ فِى ٱلْمُنَٰفِقِينَ فِئَتَيْنِ وَٱللَّهُ أَرْكَسَهُم بِمَا كَسَبُوٓاْۚ أَتُرِيدُونَ أَن تَهْدُواْ مَنْ أَضَلَّ ٱللَّهُۖ وَمَن يُضْلِلِ ٱللَّهُ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُۥ سَبِيلً	(88
"Then why should you be divided into two parties about the Hypocrites? And Allah  has thrown them back (to disbelief) for what they have done. Would you guide  those whom Allah has let go astray? For those whom Allah has let go astray,  never shall you find for them the Way."

 Surah Nisa, ayat 88:

As well as this, when they saw this number leaving some of the other tribes began to hesitate and also think about going back. And one of the tribes of the Aws – the Banu Haritha – and one of the tribes of the Khazraj – the Banu Salama – were almost about to withdraw, however in the end they just about managed to be convinced to stay, and Allah also mentioned this incident in Surah Aal-e-Imran. And so the Muslims were left with a final army of around 700.

Before we continue, it is important to mention that just as with Badr we don’t have a full chronological retelling but only snippets of the actual battle And so in every different Sirah book there will be a different order of events, and the following is just one reconstruction:

In terms of the timeline, by the 13th of Shawwal the two armies were in scouting distance, on the 14tht the council was called and the Muslim army made its way to Uhud, and the actual battle took place on the 15th on the morning of the Saturday. On the Quraysh side, they only found out about the Muslim’s location by the time that they were already at Uhud, and so also made their way there. And they arrived in the late afternoon of the Saturday, and so both parties knew that the battle was going to be on the next day.

Immediately after the Muslims arrived, the prophet began to organize the army and look over each fighter. And he had to reject around a dozen or so sahaba because they were too young – less than the age of 15 for Uhud – who had all snuck into the army to try to fight. Some of them tried to argue their way to remain, and in fact two of them succeeded – Rafi’ ibn Khadij (ra) and Samurah ibn Jundub (ra). Rafi’ ibn Khadij was 14, and so was initially rejected, however some of his relatives petitioned for him to remain and they made the case that he was an expert archer. And so since he would not be in the frontline he was allowed to remain. However when he was accepted, Samurah ibn Jundub – who was also 14 – stood up and protested, ‘O Rasulullah ﷺ, if you’re going to allow Rafi’, I am stronger than Rafi’ and I’ve beaten him in wrestling a number of times. It’s not fair- if you’re going to let Rafi’ stay then I should stay as well.’ And it is even said that he then jumped on Rafi’ to show Rasulullah ﷺ that he was stronger, and so he was also allowed to stay.

Now Rasulullah ﷺ turned the army away from the actual mountain of Uhud so that they were facing back towards Medina, and in front and to the left of the Muslims was a small mountain known as Jabil Al-Aynayn (it was renamed after the battle to Jabil Ar-Rumah, mountain of the Archers). There was only one open area in front of the Muslim Rasulullah ﷺs where the Quraysh could attack from, as the prophet has positioned the army so they were sheltered on three sides by the mountains of Uhud, and Jabil Al-Aynayn was directly in the middle of it. And so Rasulullah ﷺ stationed 50 of the best archers there to watch over the battlefield and protect the left flank of Muslims, as the battle would end up taking place in the small stretch of land that was between the right of Jabil Al-Aynayn and Uhud.

Red is the area where the Muslims camped. Note how it is protected on three sides by the mountain of Uhud. Blue is Jabil Al-Aynayn (Jabil Ar-Rumah) where the prophet placed the 50 archers. Note how it protects the Muslim’s from a surprise attack from the left (our right), and separates the battlefield into two. Green is where the battle actually took place. Note how it is only a small stretch of land, making the large numbers of the enemy useless.

Rasulullah ﷺ then told the archers, "Protect us with your arrows, for the horses will never come forth in response to arrows."’ And another narration in Bukhari:

 "Even if you see the birds eating our bodies, do not leave your places until I send for you.’ He went on to explain the importance of this command, ‘Make sure the enemy does not surprise us from behind, regardless of whether we are the victors or the losers.’ Now these commands would turn out to become very relevant, as we would later see that they were not totally obeyed and this ended up in a disaster for the Muslims"

Bukhari

The next morning before the battle, Rasulullah ﷺ wanted to motivate his army. And he was speaking to them and encouraging them, when he drew out his own sword and asked, ‘Who will take this sword from me and fight?’

Immediately everyone responded, vying to be the ones to wield the prophet’s blessed sword. And so Rasulullah ﷺ asked, ‘Who will take it from me with its right? Who will give the sword the right that it is owed?’

At this everyone paused. Then Sayidina Abu Dujana ra queried, ‘And what is its right, O Rasulullah?’

‘That you fight the enemy with it until it breaks or cannot be used.’

And so Sayidina Abu Dujana ra said, ‘I will take it with that right, O' Rasulullah ﷺ.’ Now Sayidina Abu Dujana ra was a fearsome warrior, and he had established a reputation back in the days of Jahilliah of being an incredible fighter. And he had a special, red turban which he would only wear at extreme times of battle, and this was known as the ‘Turban of Death.’ And he donned this turban before the battle of Uhud, and began to strut around fearsomely in front of the army with the prophet’s sword in hand in order to intimidate the enemy.

And Rasulullah ﷺ said here, ‘Indeed this type of walking, Allah despises it – except at such a time and such a place.’ So we see that the rules of manners are different on the battlefield.

Now onto the side of the Quraysh: the main person in charge of them was Abu Sufyan, and he appointed Khalid ibn Al-Walid to command the right hand flank of the army and Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahal  to command the left. And even before the battle they tried to sabotage the Muslims by creating a rift between the Ansar and the Muhajiruns, and they did this by sending a messenger in shouting distance of the Muslim army who declared, ‘I have been sent by Abu Sufyan. And Abu Sufyan is saying, “O people of Madinah, leave us to our cousins for we have nothing against you.”’

Now the Ansar made up the bulk of the army, and so their desertion would have been disastrous for the prophet. However on hearing this message, the Ansar became furious at the idea and responded back with a string of curses and insults (which is permissible in this situation) and showed clearly that they would not abandon the prophet.

And so the Quraysh decided to send in Abu Aamir Ar-Rahib (whose son – the famous Sayidina Hanzala ra  – was actually fighting on the other side with the Muslims). Back in the days of pre-Islam, Abu Aamir was a senior member of the Aws, on the same level as Abdullah ibn Ubayy. However when the prophet came, he did not want to convert and so he and a small group left for Mecca to settle there with the . And because he used to be extremely respected, he told Abu Sufyan that he would try to speak to the Ansar because they had always listened to him. And so he went in front of the Muslims and began, ‘O Aws, this is me Abu Aamir-’

And before he could even continue the Ansar shouted back, ‘May Allah curse you and give you no pleasure. You are not Abu Aamir Ar-Rahib (the monk) you are Abu Aamir Al-Fasiq (the immoral)!’

Abu Aamir was so shocked to see his own people turn on him that he could not even continue, and he returned dazed to Abu Sufyan and told him, ‘My people have been afflicted with some disease- I don’t know what has happened to them.’ And when this happened, when the Quraysh realize they could not defeat the Muslims with words, they began to prepare for a full scale battle of arms.