Despite their bravery, many believers lay martyred on the field of Uhud; as for the survivors, their ammunition was almost spent. Now, the believers were in retreat and as they made their way higher up the slopes of Uhud the hostilities started to subside as the Koraysh deemed the day to be theirs. In relation to the size of the Koraysh army there was only a minimal loss of life, although hardly any of their men or horses had been left unscathed and a great number of men sustained very severe wounds.
YAMAN AND THABIT
When news of the Muslim's distressful circumstances reached the fortresses of Medina, Yaman and Thabit, who had been left behind to protect the women and children armed themselves and sped with all haste to Uhud. Such was the confusion on the battlefield that when Thabit arrived he was mistaken for a Koraysh ally and set upon by Muslims. When Hudhayfah saw that his father, Thabit, being attacked he called out to his assailants that he was one of them but his voice was drowned under the clamor of the fighting and his father fell to friendly swords. It was indeed a very sad event but Hudhayfah was not the sort of person to bear malice against his father's unintentional assailants, rather he would mercifully say, "Muslims, may Allah forgive this sin of yours." Later when the Prophet (sa) heard of the sad occurrence he offered to pay blood−money on behalf of the Muslims, however Hudhayfah waived his right.
THE VALLEY
Prophet Muhammad (sa) had only been incapacitated for a brief moment. Now, in the light of the present situation he deemed it best that he and his companions should reposition themselves at the entrance of the valley overlooking the Koraysh camp so that they would be in a better position to monitor their movements. As the Prophet (sa) led his companions along the track, the pain caused by the chain links embedded in his cheeks became apparent upon his noble face. The small band of companions stopped for a moment and Abu Ubayda examined the injury and concluded that the only effective way to remove the links would be by extracting them with his teeth. The Prophet (sa) was agreeable and as he pulled the links out the wounds started to bleed. In an effort to cleanse the wounds, Malik, Sinan's son from the tribe of Khazraj sucked away the blood and swallowed it. Whereupon the Prophet (sa) informed his companions, "The fire cannot reach those whose blood touches my blood." Both Malik and Abu Ubayda knew that they had been greatly reward for their action. Meanwhile, Abu Sufyan observed the companions making their way along the mountain and attempted to pursue them. However, Omar who had rejoined the Prophet (sa) together with some more companions hurled rocks at him that forced him to retreat.
JUBILATION
The Prophet (sa) and his companions continued on their way to the entrance of the valley and as they did, Ka'b, Malik's son, who had recently retreated with some other Muslims to the safety of the mountain spotted them. At first he thought his eyes deceived him, he had heard and taken the rumor of the Prophet's death to be true, yet there in front of him was a figure, walking slowly, that he felt sure he recognized. As Ka'b drew nearer his heart beat faster with joy, his eyes had not deceived him and in great jubilation he cried out to the others who were following behind, "Muslims, great news, it is the Messenger of Allah (sa)!" The Prophet (sa) gestured to Ka'b not to raise his voice and so the news that the Prophet (sa) was indeed alive spread amongst the Muslims quietly and there was great rejoicing in their hearts as they raced to join him.
THE PROPHET'S ENCOUNTER WITH UBAY
Ubayy, Khalaf's son had not as yet returned to the Koraysh camp and overheard the jubilant cry of Ka'b. Ubayy had sworn revenge that he would kill the Prophet (sa) and galloped swiftly towards him with the intent of fulfilling his oath. As he approached with sword drawn he cried out, "Muhammad, if you escape from me, may I not escape from you!" As the companions grouped themselves around the Prophet (sa) to protect him, ready to attack Ubayy, the Prophet (sa) told them to step back and before Ubayy had a chance to strike, the Prophet (sa) took hold of Harith, Simma's son's spear and slightly scratched Ubayy's neck with it. Ubayy screamed out in excruciating pain and fell from his horse then remounted and galloped back to his camp. Upon reaching the camp he was met by his nephew Safwan and other members of his tribe and croaked, "Muhammad has killed me!" However, his nephew and the others paid little attention to him as they viewed his scratch as being very minor. Instinctively, Ubayy knew that his time was running out and told them, "By Allah if he spat on me with his spittle I would die." The Koraysh were not inclined to pay much attention to Ubayy's scratch, nor did they incline to take the news that the Prophet (sa) was alive seriously, however, the seed of doubt had been sown. Ubayy's fear proved to be right. Death was soon to overtake him on their return journey to Mecca at a place called Sarif.
THE MIDDAY PRAYER
When the misinformation reached Medina that the Prophet (sa) had been killed, Lady Fatima made haste to Uhud and caught up with them as the Prophet's party was about to reach the entrance of the valley. Lady Fatima was greatly relieved to find her father alive and only wounded, and thanked Allah for his safety. Meanwhile, Ali went in search of water and came cross a small pool of water trapped in the crevices of the rocks. Using his shield as a container he scooped up some water and brought it back to the Prophet (sa) to quench his thirst. However, the water was stale and odorous, so the Prophet (sa) declined to drink from it, whereupon Lady Fatima used it to wash away the blood from his face. The wounds continued to bleed and so in attempt to stop the bleeding a piece of matting was scorched and placed over the wounds whereupon the bleeding ceased. The Prophet (sa), every anxious for the safety of his companions, felt that they were too exposed to take their rest at the entrance of the valley so he ordered his companions to climb to higher ground. There was no easy way up the mountain slope so the Prophet (sa) started to raise himself up to one of its ledges. Despite Talha's multiple wounds, when he saw what the Prophet (sa) was doing, he bent down and lifted the Prophet (sa) up so that he could more easily reach the ledge, whereupon the Prophet (sa) announced, "Whosoever wishes to look upon a martyr walking upon the earth should look at Talha, the son of Ubayd Allah." It was now midday and the Prophet (sa) and some of his injured companions sat as he led them in prayer, then they took turns to either rest or stand on guard.
HEALING MIRACLES
Amongst the many miraculous healings at Uhud were those of Katada, Kulthum and Abdullah. During the encounter Katada engaged An−Numan in combat. As they fought Katada was struck so severely that his eye−ball came out of its socket and hung down up his cheek. When the fighting died down Katada made his way back to the Prophet (sa) whereupon the Prophet (sa) took pity on him and supplicated as he place his eye−ball back into its socket. From that time onward Katada would be heard telling his companions that the eye restored by the Prophet (sa) had the strongest vision. An arrow aimed at Kulthum, the son of Al Hussain severely pierced his throat. When the Prophet (sa) saw what had happened he supplicated then blew his saliva upon the wound and his throat healed instantly. Abdullah, Unays' son sustained a severe wound to his head, once again the Prophet (sa) supplicated and blew his saliva upon the wound and it healed. When Abdullah told his companions about the miraculous healing he would add, "It never turned septic!"
THE KORAYSH CAMP
As the Prophet (sa) and his companions took their rest, many of the Koraysh picked their way through the dead on the battlefield searching for the Prophet's body whilst others either buried their dead or tended to the wounded. They had lost only twenty−two of their men however, their casualties, both human and animal were substantial. Wahshi was not content just to let Hamza's body rest on the battlefield. Now that the fighting was over he returned to his body, ripped open his belly and gouged out his liver then took it to Hind demanding, "What will I receive for killing the one who killed your father!"
Excitedly Hind replied, "All my share of the spoils of war!" With that, Wahshi presented Hamza's liver to her which she snatched from him, and to fulfill her oath of hatred towards Hamza bit a piece out of it, chewed, swallowed some and spat the remainder out. Then she demanded to be taken to Hamza's body and upon reaching it, like a savage, she cut off his nose and ears. From that day onward she was often referred to as 'Jigar Khwar' − the liver eater. Other Koraysh women delighted in similar barbaric activities, all but one of the bodies were savagely mutilated. The one that escaped further mutilation was that of Hanzalah. His father, who had fought alongside the Koraysh, pleaded with them to leave his body alone and so his body was left where it lay. Hanzalah lay near the mutilated bodies of his relatives, Hamza and Abdullah, Jahsh's son. When it was time for their burial the companions remarked upon the serenity that radiated from his face and commented that his hair remained wet from the washing of the angels.
THE REACTION OF THE KORAYSH ALLIES
When those that had allied themselves with the Koraysh against the Prophet (sa) witnessed the barbaric actions of the Koraysh many were appalled. Hulays, from one of the tribes of Kinanah was particularly repulsed when he observed Abu Sufyan standing over Hamza's already grossly mutilated body, driving his spear into his mouth saying, "Taste this you rebel!" In horror, Hulays cried out, "Sons of Kinanah, can this be the chief of the Koraysh doing such a thing to his dead cousin!" Abu Sufyan was annoyed that he had been caught and asked him not to tell of it. On account of the Koraysh not being
able to find the body of the Prophet (sa) many began to believe Ubayy, however, they had not discounted the matter of his death completely as there remained the possibility that his body lay somewhere on the slopes of Mount Uhud itself.
THE SEARCH FOR HAMZA’S BODY
Later that day, Harith, As−Simmah's son, was sent by the Prophet (sa) to search for Hamza's body. When he came across it he was so shaken by his condition that he just stood there transfixed, staring over him for a long time unable to comprehend how anyone could have acted in such a barbaric manner. When Harith did not return, the Prophet (sa) sent Ali to look for him and together they returned to the Prophet (sa) whereupon Harith and Ali lead him to Hamza's body. As the Prophet (sa) gazed down at him his heart overflowed with great sorrow and anger, and said, "I have never felt more anger than that which I feel now. Next time when Allah gives me victory over the Koraysh, I shall mutilate seventy of their dead." Shortly after this a Revelation was sentdown saying:
"If you punish, let your punishment be proportionate to the punishment you received. But if you are patient, it is better for the patient. Be patient; Yet your patience is only by the help of Allah. Do not grieve for them (the unbelievers), Nor distress yourself because of their devising. Allah is with the cautious and those who do good.” Al-Quran 16:126−128
After receiving these verses the Prophet (sa) withdrew his intention and forbade mutilation.
THE BELIEVING LADIES
Whilst the Koraysh womenfolk were engrossed in their barbaric revenge, Ladies Fatima, Umm Sulaym and Um Salit tended to the wounds of the believers and brought them water. By now several ladies had set out from Medina to nurse the wounded amongst whom was Saffiyah, the sister of Hamza. When the Prophet (sa) learned of her arrival he told her son, Zubayr, not to let her see her brother's body. However, Saffiyah went to the Prophet (sa) and told him that she knew of her brother's martyrdom and that his sacrifice was not very great, for she remembered well the promise of Allah and His Prophet (sa) to those martyred in His Name. When the Prophet (sa) saw the depth of her faith he permitted her to see her brother's corpse. When she came across the remains of his poor body the only words she uttered were those from the Al-Quran:
"We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.” Al-Quran 2:156 and supplicated for his soul.
THE LOVE OF AN ANSARI LADY
When the news reached an Ansari lady that not only her father had been martyred but also her husband and son, she became patient. However, when she heard the misinformation that the Prophet (sa) had been taken from them it consumed her every thought and she put aside her own personal loss and made straight for Uhud. When she saw the Prophet (sa) and realized the report was false, she was so overwhelmed with joy that she exclaimed, "With you amongst us, our personal loss is insignificant." Such was the deep love and devotion of the early companions for Prophet Muhammad (sa) that their own welfare and matters were always a distant second to his.
IN SEARCH OF THE PROPHET (sa)
As the Koraysh prepared to break camp they loaded the meager spoils of war they had gained during the encounter onto the camels in readiness for their return to Mecca. Whilst the Koraysh busied themselves with their final preparations, Abu Sufyan, who was anxious to learn whether or nor the Prophet was dead or alive, rode out alone on his horse toward the mountain. Upon reaching it he drew his horse to a halt and looking up in the direction where the Muslims had last been seen called out: "Exaltations to Hubal, may your religion prevail!" When the Prophet heard this he instructed Omar to reply: "Allah is the Greatest, Exalted in Majesty. We are not equal. Our martyred are in Paradise −− your dead are in the Fire." Obediently, Omar arose, went to the ledge of the mountain and called out the words of the Prophet. Abu Sufyan recognized Omar's voice and called up to him: "Omar, in the Name of Allah, I entreat you, is Muhammad dead?" Whereupon Omar replied: "By Allah, no! Even now he hears what you are saying!" Strange as it may seem, Abu Sufyan replied: "I believe you, your word is truer than that of Abdullah, Kami'ah's son." Then he cried out: "May Badr be our meeting place next year!" When the Prophet heard this he sent another of his companions to the ledge with the message: "That is a confirmed agreement between us." When Abu Sufyan returned to his army he found them assembled on the far side of the valley awaiting his order to march. They set out in a southerly direction and it was feared that they might now march on Medina. With this in mind the Prophet (sa) asked for a volunteer to follow the army and bring back word of their movements. Seventy Muslims volunteered including Abu Bakr and Zubayr, however it was Sa’ad from the tribe of Zuhrah who was chosen.
Before he departed the Prophet (sa) wisely informed him, "If they are leading their horses and riding their camels they are destined for Mecca, however, if they are riding their horses and leading their camels they are destined for Medina. By Him in whose Hand is my soul, if that is their aim, I will overtake and fight them." Sa’ad wasted no time and climbed down the mountain slope, mounted the Prophet's horse and set out upon his mission.
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