Battle of Uhud - Shawwal, AH 3

In the aftermath of the Battle of Badr, minor skirmishes and political assassinations set the stage for the next major confrontation. The Battle of Uhud was driven by the Quraysh’s desire to avenge their devastating loss at Badr, which they viewed as a catastrophe.

The Quraysh’s determination to attack Madinah stemmed from multiple factors:

• Religious Animosity: Deepening hatred toward Islam and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

• Social Reasons: A thirst for revenge for the loss of their leaders and kin.

• Economic Interests: Securing the trade route to Syria, which the Muslims now threatened.

• Political Concerns: The Prophet’s ﷺ growing influence and strategic alliances in Madinah alarmed the Quraysh leadership.

Army Organization and Strategy

Led by Abu Sufyan, Quraysh leaders began plotting a counterattack almost immediately after Badr. Their preparations spanned over a year, culminating in Shawwal of the third year of Hijrah. Abu Sufyan utilized the profits from the caravan saved at Badr to finance the campaign. Allied tribes such as Kinaanah and Tehama bolstered the Quraysh’s ranks with additional manpower and resources.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ recommended staying within Madinah, taking advantage of its natural fortifications, a strategy supported by Abdullah ibn Ubayy, a seasoned warrior. Madinah’s history of successful defense reinforced this suggestion.

Younger companions, driven by their eagerness to prove themselves after missing Badr, advocated for an open-field battle. Respecting the principle of consultation, the Prophet ﷺ ultimately agreed to their decision for an offensive strategy.

The Quraysh mobilized an imposing force of 3,000 fighters, including 200 cavalry and 700 armored soldiers. The army was led by prominent leaders such as Abu Sufyan, Khalid ibn al-Walid (commanding the right flank), and Ikrimah ibn Abi Jahl (commanding the left flank). On the 7th of Shawwal, the Quraysh left Makkah, covering the distance to Madinah in seven days, eager for confrontation.

The Muslim army, initially numbering 1,000 men, strategically positioned themselves with their backs to Mount Uhud for natural defense. However, their strength was significantly reduced when Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul withdrew with 300 hypocrites, leaving only 700 soldiers to face the enemy. The Muslims were lightly equipped, possessing just a handful of horses and 100 suits of armor.

The Prophet ﷺ stationed 50 archers on Jabal al-Rumah (the Archers’ Hill) to secure the rear and prevent a flanking attack. The Muslim army was organized into three main divisions:

• Muhajirun: Led by Mus’ab ibn Umair رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ

• Aus: Commanded by Usaid ibn Hudair رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ

• Khazraj: Headed by Hubab ibn al-Mundhir رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ

The Brave Young Companions and the Unshakable Ansar

Several young companions wished to join the battle but were sent back due to their age, including Abdullah ibn Umar رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ and Usama ibn Zaid رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ. However, Rafi ibn Khadij رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, skilled in archery, and Samurah ibn Jundub رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, known for his strength, were allowed to participate.

On the morning of the 15th, the Prophet ﷺ sought to inspire his companions for battle by holding up his sword and asking, “Who will take this sword from me and fight?” Many volunteered, but when he added, “Who will take it with its haq (its due right)?” they hesitated. Abu Dujana asked what that meant, and the Prophet ﷺ replied, “To fight with it until it breaks.” Abu Dujana accepted, earning the honor. Known for his bravery, he tied on his red “turban of death” and strode confidently before the enemy. The Prophet ﷺ remarked that such prideful walking is disliked by Allah—except in battle, where it serves to intimidate the enemy and uplift the spirit of the believers.

The Quraysh first attempted to create division between the Muhajirun and the Ansar by promising the Ansar safety if they deserted the Prophet ﷺ. The Ansar rejected this offer with unwavering loyalty. Then Abu Amir al-Rahib, once a respected leader of the Aws who had defected to Makkah before Badr, tried to persuade them himself. The Ansar rebuked him sharply, calling him Abu Amir al-Fasiq (“the evil one”) for his betrayal. Stunned by their steadfast faith, he returned to Abu Sufyan in disbelief.

As Swords Clash

In single combat (mubaraza), Talha ibn Abi Talha from Banu Abd al-Dar faced Ali ibn Abi Talib رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ. Ali رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ  incapacitated Talha by severing his leg but spared his life. However, Talha later succumbed to his injuries in the battle.

The Muslims launched a powerful assault, targeting the Quraysh’s standard bearers from Banu Abd al-Dar. Ten flag bearers were successively killed—many by Hamza رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, Ali رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, and Abu Dujana رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ. With their flag repeatedly falling, the Quraysh army descended into disarray.

The Muslims penetrated the ranks of the Quraysh, advancing all the way to the rear where the women were forced to scatter in panic. This demonstrated the clear dominance of the Muslim forces at that stage of the battle. In the aftermath, the Muslims began gathering war booty, including weapons, tents, and animals abandoned by the fleeing Quraysh.

Archers’ Disobedience

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ had positioned 50 archers on Jabal al-Rumah (the Archers’ Hill)  with explicit orders to remain in position, regardless of the battle’s progress. However, seeing the apparent victory and the collection of spoils, 40 of the archers left their posts, despite Abdullah ibn Jubair's رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ attempts to remind them of the Prophet's ﷺ instructions.

Khalid ibn al-Walid, leading the Quraysh cavalry, noticed the gap left by the archers’ departure. He seized the opportunity, launching a surprise attack from behind the Muslim lines. This swift maneuver split the Muslim army, creating confusion and disorder among their ranks.

The Prophet ﷺ foresaw the danger and called out to warn the Muslims, even revealing his own position in the process. Unfortunately, many Muslims were unprepared and fled, further amplifying the chaos.

The Prophet’s Isolation and Protection

At a critical moment during the Battle of Uhud, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was left with only nine companions, including prominent figures such as Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ and Talha ibn Ubaydullah رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ. The group also consisted of seven Ansar, whose names remain largely undocumented. This small band faced Khalid ibn al-Walid’s counterattack as they sought to protect the Prophet ﷺ.

To evade the advancing Quraysh forces, the Prophet ﷺ and his companions sought refuge in the mountains. Guided by the Ansar, who were familiar with the terrain, they found shelter in a narrow crevice, offering some reprieve from the relentless pursuit.

To ensure the Prophet’s ﷺ safety, his companions devised a strategy to mislead the Quraysh. Each companion took turns engaging the enemy, drawing their attention away from the Prophet ﷺ and buying time for the group to secure their position.

One by one, the Ansar bravely confronted the enemy, ultimately sacrificing their lives in defense of the Prophet ﷺ. Their courage exemplified their unwavering devotion. Talha ibn Ubaydullah رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ repeatedly volunteered to fight but was held back by the Prophet ﷺ until the situation became dire.

As the battle intensified, only two individuals remained by the Prophet’s ﷺ side: Talha رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ and Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ. Talha, a skilled warrior, played a pivotal role in shielding the Prophet ﷺ from harm. Sa’d, renowned for his archery, defended the Prophet ﷺ with remarkable precision. The Prophet ﷺ personally handed Sa’d arrows, encouraging him with words of praise and support as he fended off the Quraysh.

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ endured three significant injuries during the battle based on various reports:

1. Stone Injury: Utbah ibn Abi Waqqas struck the Prophet ﷺ with stones, injuring his lips as he retreated toward safety.

2. Arrow Wound: An arrow, also shot by Utbah, pierced the Prophet’s ﷺ cheek, dislodging a tooth and embedding itself in his face.

3. Sword Strike: Either Abdullah ibn Shihab or Abdullah ibn Qami’a delivered a sword strike that, despite Talha’s defense, caused the Prophet’s ﷺ helmet to press into his cheekbone, adding to his injuries.

It is reported that upon the Prophet's ﷺ return Fatima رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا tended to the Prophet’s ﷺ injuries. Despite Ali’s رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ efforts to wash the wounds, the bleeding persisted until Fatima burned date palm leaves, creating a paste to seal the wounds.

The Prophet ﷺ was deeply grieved by the actions of the Quraysh and questioned how they could hope for Allah’s mercy after causing him such harm. In response, Allah revealed a profound message of Surah Al-Imran (3:128).  It clarified that the ultimate fate of individuals rests solely with Allah, emphasizing divine authority over forgiveness and punishment.

Honorable Sacrifices

Hamza رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, the Prophet’s uncle and a formidable warrior, was killed by Wahshi, an Abyssinian slave who had been promised freedom by Jubayr ibn Mut’im if he succeeded. Hamza’s body was mutilated by Hind bint Utbah in an act of vengeance, deeply wounding the Muslims emotionally.

Husayl ibn Jabir رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, known as al-Yaman and the father of Hudhayfah رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, was tragically killed by Muslims in the chaos. Hudhayfah, showing extraordinary forgiveness, pardoned those responsible. The Prophet ﷺ compensated Hudhayfah with blood money, which he selflessly donated to charity.

Hanzala رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, a newlywed, joined the Battle of Uhud without performing ghusl after being with his wife the night before. During the battle, he was about to strike Abu Sufyan when a spear killed him. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ later revealed that angels had washed his body, earning him the title Ghasil al-Mala'ikah (the one washed by angels), an extraordinary honor in Islam.

Al-Usayrim رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, a Madinah pagan, embraced Islam on the morning of the Battle of Uhud after observing the absence of key Muslim leaders. He offered all his wealth to the Prophet ﷺ in case he was killed, and joined the battle despite initial hesitation from Muslims unaware of his recent conversion. He fought bravely and was martyred before having the chance to perform even a single prayer. The Prophet ﷺ praised him, saying, “He did very little, but his reward is immense.”

Mukhayriq, a Jewish leader, urged his community to support the Muslims during Uhud, but they refused due to the Sabbath. Frustrated, he rebuked them, joined the battle himself, and fought bravely until his martyrdom. Before dying, he entrusted his property to the Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet praised him, saying, “Mukhayriq is the best of all the Jews,” honoring his sacrifice and loyalty.

Mus'ab ibn Umair رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, the standard-bearer of the Muslims, was targeted during the counterattack. Despite sustaining severe injuries, he valiantly held onto the flag until his death, symbolizing his unwavering dedication to the cause.

The Confusion

Mus’ab ibn Umayr’s رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ martyrdom caused widespread confusion. Due to his resemblance to the Prophet ﷺ and the cloak he wore, Abdullah ibn Qami’a mistakenly believed he had killed the Prophet ﷺ. He loudly proclaimed, “I have killed Muhammad!” This false news spread rapidly among both the Quraysh and the Muslims, sowing panic and uncertainty.

Ka’b ibn Malik رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ was among the first to locate the Prophet ﷺ after these rumors. Recognizing him by his piercing eyes, Ka’b announced his survival but was instructed to stay silent for safety. To protect the Prophet ﷺ, Ka’b exchanged his armor with him, diverting enemy attention. By the end of the battle, Ka’b had sustained over ten wounds while safeguarding the Prophet ﷺ.

Then, Abu Bakr, Umar, Ali, Zubayr ibn al-Awwam رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ, and others joined the Prophet ﷺ.

The Death of Ubay ibn Khalaf

Ubay ibn Khalaf charged at the Prophet ﷺ on horseback, leveraging his superior position. Despite this advantage, the Prophet ﷺ claimed him as his target, piercing Ubay’s neck with a spear. Though the wound seemed minor, Ubay’s despair led to his death in the Valley of Sarif, fulfilling the Prophet’s earlier prediction.

The Conclusion

The battle ended with a confrontation between Abu Sufyan and the Muslims. He returned to the battlefield, shouting to inquire if the Prophet ﷺ, Abu Bakr رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, or Umar رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ  were still alive. Following the Prophet's ﷺ instruction, the Muslims remained silent at first. When Abu Sufyan falsely claimed victory, Umar رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ spoke up, denying his assertion and declaring that the Muslims were still alive to fight another day.

Abu Sufyan boasted, claiming the battle was revenge for Badr and mentioning the mutilation of Muslim martyrs, which he neither commanded nor expressed anger over. Umar رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ  countered, stating that the Muslim martyrs were in Jannah, while the Quraysh dead were in Jahannam. Abu Sufyan then praised idols like Hubal and Uzza, to which the Prophet ﷺ instructed the sahabah to respond: "Allah is mightier and more honorable!" and "Allah will protect us, and you have no protector!"

Aftermath of the Battle

Safiyyah رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْھَا, the sister of Hamza رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, rushed toward the battlefield to see her brother's body. Concerned for her well-being, the Prophet ﷺ instructed her son, Zubayr رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, to stop her from witnessing the traumatic sight. Safiyyah complied immediately, demonstrating her trust in the Prophet’s ﷺ guidance, and provided shrouds for Hamza’s burial.

Hamza رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ body was found alongside another Ansari martyr who had no shroud. Due to the scarcity of resources, Zubayr and others drew lots to fairly distribute the shrouds, highlighting the poverty of the Muslim community and their collective care for the martyrs.

The Quraysh, in an act of vengeance, severely mutilated Hamza رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ body. This deeply saddened the Prophet ﷺ, who initially expressed a desire for revenge but was guided by revelation to forgive and restrain from such actions. The Prophet ﷺ firmly forbade mutilation of bodies, even of enemies, setting a precedent for dignity and humanity in warfare.

Due to the large number of martyrs and limited resources, multiple martyrs were buried in single graves. The Prophet ﷺ prioritized those who knew the most Quran for burial, emphasizing the honor and importance of the Quran in life and death.

Moved by the sight of the martyrs, the Prophet ﷺ made heartfelt dua for them, underscoring their elevated status and the ultimate honor of dying in Allah's cause.

Abu Azzah al-Jumahi, the sole prisoner of war, faced execution for breaking his earlier promise to the Prophet ﷺ. Released without ransom after the Battle of Badr on the condition he would not oppose the Muslims, Abu Azzah later betrayed this trust. He composed war poetry and fought against the Muslims at Uhud, lured by promises of wealth and care for his daughters. His punishment reflected the Quranic principle against breaking promises (Quran 8:58).

To deter the Quraysh from regrouping and attacking Madinah, the Prophet ﷺ immediately organized a contingent of 70 sahaba, led by Ali رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ, to camp at Hamra al-Asad. They monitored the Quraysh’s movements and discovered they were retreating to Makkah.

Ma'bad al-Khuza’i, a non-Muslim sympathetic to the Muslims, exaggerated their anger and readiness to fight when he met Abu Sufyan. This strategic misinformation convinced the Quraysh to abandon any plans of returning to Madinah. After three days at Hamra al-Asad, the Muslims returned, praised by Allah in the Quran (3:172) for their resilience despite their injuries.

Reflection

The disobedience of the Prophet’s ﷺ command by some archers, who abandoned their posts for war booty, led to a turning point in the battle, transforming initial success into defeat. This highlighted the severe consequences of prioritizing worldly gains over divine commands.

The Battle of Uhud served as a test to distinguish true believers from hypocrites and emphasized the necessity of unity, obedience, and reliance on Allah. It reaffirmed that victory comes through faith and perseverance, not through numbers or strength alone.