After the Prophet (sa) and his army had marched but a few miles from Medina, he called for a halt to review his troops and noticed that many young would−be warriors had accompanied the army just as they had done at Badr. Much to their disappointment the Prophet (sa) told them that the forthcoming encounter was no place for them and they were to return home. Amongst the youngsters were Zayd, Thabit's son; Bara, Azib's son; Abu Sai'd Khudri' Abdullah, Omar's son and Araba Ausi. Rafi, Khadij's son and Samura were so very anxious to be accepted as one of the Prophet's men that when the youngsters were gathered together they had stood on the tip of their toes in order to appear taller and Rafi had been accepted as he was already known as a skillful archer. However, Samura was at the point of being told to return when he pointed out that he had been the victor on many occasions when he and Rafi had fought competitively. To prove his point Rafi and Samura now fought each other in friendly combat and Samura, much to his delight, proved his strength and was allowed to join the ranks of the Prophet's men.
DESERTION
At a place halfway between Medina and Uhud the Prophet (sa) and his army stopped to rest for a while and offer their prayer. During the rest period, Abdullah, Ubayy's son, was approached by a party of his men who expressed their desire not to take part in the hostilities and return Medina. Abdullah who had already expressed his reluctance to march needed no further persuasion so he gathered the rest of his men −− whose number accounted for one third of the Prophet's army −− and said, "He listened to them, and not to me. Why should we loose our lives!" Amongst Abdullah's men were doubters and hypocrites −− this was exactly the excuse they had been looking for as a means to escape the hostilities. All agreed to return to Medina and left without even mentioning their decision to the Prophet (sa). When one of the companions also by the named of Abdullah learned of their desertion he chased after them on his horse. Upon catching them up he entreated them not to abandon them saying, "Fellow tribesmen, I call upon you by Allah not to abandon your people and your Prophet (sa) now that the enemy is near!" In a patronizing manner they replied, "If we knew you were going to fight we would not have abandoned you, however, we do not think there will be hostilities." Abdullah pleaded with them over and over again until he realized he was wasting his time and as he turned to leave them he cursed them saying, "May Allah curse you, you enemies of Allah! Allah will make His Prophet (sa) independent of you!" and returned to join the Prophet (sa). Now that their numbers had been substantially reduced, a companion asked the Prophet (sa) whether he thought they should call upon the help of the Jews with whom they were allied and obligated to lend their assistance, however, in light of recent events they could not be trusted and so the Prophet (sa) replied there was no need for them.
THE SHORT CUT
The Prophet (sa) and his army were refreshed from their march, so, in the coolness of the evening they continued their march onto Uhud. Not long after they had resumed their march, the Prophet (sa) inquired if anyone knew a better road that would take them near to the Koraysh camp. Abu Khaythamah said that he knew of one and led the army through land that belonged to the tribe of Haritha, and then through land belonging to a blind man by the name of Mirba, Kayzi's son. When Mirba learned of the Prophet's approach he came out of his house and started throwing handfuls of sand at the army muttering, "Perhaps he is the Messenger of Allah (sa), however, I will not allow you to pass through my gardens." He is also reported as having said, "By Allah, if I could be sure that I would not hit someone else Muhammad, I would throw it in your face!" No sooner had the words left his mouth than several of the Prophet's companions set upon him as the Prophet (sa) mercifully called out, "Do not kill him! He is blind both in heart and sight." However, Sa’ad, Zayd's son, did not hear the instruction and struck Mirba and wounded his head.
THE SLOPES OF UHUD
In the darkness of night the army marched on passing above the gorge of Uhud. As the thin thread of dawn appeared upon the horizon they reached a point that overlooked the wadi where the Koraysh had set up camp. The Prophet's plan was to march on a little further so that they would be protected by the mountain from the rear and have the advantage of being above the Koraysh and their allies. When at last they reached a suitable slope they halted and Bilal made the call to prayer. After its conclusion the Prophet (sa) spoke to his men saying, "Indeed, whosoever remembers the purpose and directs his soul in earnest with patience, effort and does not doubt will receive a rich reward as well as spoils."
THE VISION OF JAMILAH
Hanzalah, who had not marched out with the Prophet (sa) on account of his marriage, had, a few moments before, caught up with the Prophet (sa) and went to greet him. On the night of his marriage, his bride, Jamilah, had seen a vision in which she saw Hanzalah standing at the Gate of Paradise, when she looked again she saw that Hanzalah had entered and knew she would never see her husband again in this world as martyrdom had been chosen for him.
THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE PROPHET (sa)
The freshness of the early hours of morning were now upon them and the Prophet (sa) called upon is companions to assemble before him. Amongst those chosen to accompany the Prophet (sa) were his cousin, Sa’ad, Said, and Sa'ib, Othman's son −− all of whom were excellent archers. The Prophet (sa) now placed fifty of his best archers under the command of Abdullah, Jubair's son, an Ansar from the tribe of Aws. Then the Prophet (sa) instructed the archers to take up their positions on an elevated part of the slope that lay to the left of the main detachment of the Koraysh army and then ordered them saying, "You must keep their cavalry away from us with you arrows. Do not let them come upon us from the rear. No matter whether the encounter goes in our favor or against us −− remain in your positions. Should you see us gleaning the spoils of war, do not try to take your share of it −− if you see us being martyred, do not come to our assistance." The instructions were very clear for he was an excellent communicator and administrator. It was time for the Prophet (sa) to don his armor; having done so he took hold of his sword and brandished it in the air asking, "Who will take this sword together with its right?" Omar did not hesitate to step forward but the Prophet (sa) did not respond and asked the question once more. This time Zubair jumped at the chance of taking it but again the Prophet (sa) did not respond and as he did an Ansar from the tribe of Khazraj named Abu Dujanah inquired, "O Messenger of Allah (sa) what is its right?" "Its right," the Prophet (sa) replied, "is that you should take it and kill the enemy with it until its blade is bent." Whereupon Abu Dujanah seized upon the opportunity to be the first to claim it. Abu Dujanah's reputation as a warrior was well known and those who came across him on the battlefield were fearful of an encounter with him. In times of war Abu Dujanah would wear a red turban wrapped around his helmet and over the course of time the turban had been rightly named by the Khazraj the "Turban of Death". Now, with the Prophet's sword in hand wearing his red turban wrapped around his helmet he strutted through the ranks of the army in such a fashion that the Prophet (sa) commented, "Except in times and places such as this, that is the strut Allah hates." With the Khazraj tribe of Alimah, the son of Jusham, on one side and the Aws tribe of Harith, Nabit's son, on the other, the final preparations for hostilities were now complete.
KORAYSH POSITIONS OF COMMAND
The Koraysh planned their mode of attack with much thought and arranged their ranks in a way so as to gain the best possible striking power. Commanding their cavalry were two of their best warriors, Khalid, Waleed's son command the right flank, whilst Ikrima, the son of Abu Jahl commanded their left flank with an additional two hundred horses in reserve. The various detachments of well equipped archers were commanded by Abdullah, Rabi'as son, whereas Talha was appointed to be the Koraysh standard bearer.
TWO OF THE BELIEVING LADIES
During the second pledge of allegiance at Aqabah, two ladies from Medina had also given their pledge. One of these ladies was Nusaybah, the wife of Ghaziyyah. Ghaziyyah and his two sons had joined the Prophet (sa) on the march to Uhud and Nusaybah longed to accompany them, however, no permission had been given for women to take part in the forthcoming encounter. Nusaybah, being of strong character, realized that the wounded would need care, attention and water, so after the army left Medina she filled her water−skin and followed their tracks taking with her a sword, bow and a supply of arrows. Another lady by the name of Umm Sulaym, the mother of Anas, had the same idea. Likewise, she had filled her water−skin to provide relief for the wounded on the battlefield and set of for Uhud. However, neither knew of each other's intention until they met each other near the companions surrounding the Prophet (sa) shortly after the commencement of the hostilities.
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