Amongst the mortally wounded was Usayrim, a man from Medina. When the Ansars came across him they were indeed very surprised to find him there. Many were the times that they had spoken to him about Islam but he had always been hesitant to embrace it saying, "If only I could be sure it was true I would not hesitate." Gently, the Ansars inquired what had brought him to Uhud and asked on which side he had fought. Usayrim, who was by now very weak, told them that he had fought along with them and when they asked why he had done so he replied that it was for Islam because in his heart he believed in the Oneness of Allah and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (sa). As his frail voice weakened Usayrim told his companions that earlier that morning he had armed himself with is sword and set off for Uhud to join the Messenger of Allah (sa) and had fought until he fell. Shortly after this the Angel of Death took away his soul as his companions stood at his side. When the companions told the Prophet (sa) about Usayrim, he informed them that Usayrim was among those that entered Paradise and in the years that followed Usayrim became known as the believer who entered Paradise without offering even one of the obligatory prayers.
GOOD NEWS
Meanwhile, Sa’ad had ridden as swiftly as he could and was now in sight of the Koraysh and it gladdened his heart when he saw the Koraysh leading their horses and riding their camels, and so he sped back to the Prophet (sa) to convey the good news. In the years which were to follow, Amr, who had fought with the Koraysh at Uhud but later converted to Islam said, "We heard of ibn Ubayy's return to Medina with one third of the Prophet's army together with other men from the tribes of Khazraj and Aws and on that account we were unsure whether or not they would return and attack. Many of our men were wounded and most of our horses had been injured by arrows, that is why we decided to return to Mecca.
THE BURIAL OF THE MARTYRED
The bodies of the martyred were laid to rest in graves dug near the place where Hamza had fallen, some were buried alone, whereas others were buried together −− Hamza and Abdullah, Jubair's son were among those buried together. Such was their poverty that there was scarcely enough cloth to suffice as a complete shroud for any of them. If their head was covered their feet remained uncovered, and if their feet were covered their head remained uncovered. In order that they should be covered, fragrant grasses were used to shroud the uncovered limbs. With compassion and tenderness, Prophet Muhammad (sa) told his companions that the bodies of the martyred were not to be washed in the customary Islamic manner before burial. Then he gave his companions the good news that on the Day of Judgement the martyrs will be raised, without pain, with their wounds bleeding and that although the color will be that of blood there will be no odor of blood at all as it have been replaced with the delicate fragrance of musk. Under the guidance of the Prophet (sa) the martyrs were buried in pairs and at each interment he would inquire which of the two knew the most of the Al-Quran by heart, whereupon the most knowledgeable was placed in the grave first. Even in death the Prophet (sa) was just and never one to show disrespect. And it was revealed:
“Among the believers there are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah. Some have fulfilled their vow dying, and others await, unyielding to change, so that Allah will recompense the truthful for their truthfulness and punish the hypocrites if He will, or turn again to them. Surely, Allah is the Forgiver and the Most Merciful.” Al-Quran, Ch:33:23−24
THE MARTYRED FAMILY OF HIND, WIFE OF AMR
During the burial preparations, the Prophet (sa) asked his companions to search for the bodies of Amr, Jamuh's son and Abdullah the father of Jabir so that they might be buried together. The two men had been very close to one another during their lifetime and the Prophet (sa) thought it appropriate that they should rest together, however, their bodies could not be found. Hind, Amr's wife lost not only her husband but her son Khallad together with her brother Abdullah and wished to take them back to Medina for burial. As she made her way with her martyred family home to Medina her mounts suddenly stopped and refused to go any further. She tried repeatedly to get them to walk but when they still refused she turned them around whereupon they started to walk back from whence they came. When she reached the battlefield she went to the Prophet (sa) and told him what had happened whereupon he gently told her that it was the will of Allah that she returned to bury them there and gave her the good news that they were all together in Paradise. When Hind heard this, her heart was content and she asked the Prophet (sa) to supplicate that she might also join them there.
THE MIRACULOUS MEAL
It had been a very exhausting day and food was in extremely short supply, in fact there was only sufficient food to suffice one man. The Prophet (sa) asked for what little food there was to be brought to him, then supplicated saying, "O Allah" and all ate from the portion until they were replete.
THE RETURN TO MEDINA
The Prophet (sa) and his companions reached Medina at sunset and made their way to the Mosque to offer the evening prayer after which they retired to their homes to tend to their multiple wounds and rest. Very few of the Muslims escaped with minor injuries.
When the Prophet (sa) entered his home he asked Lady Fatima to wash away the blood from his sword saying, "Wash the blood from this my daughter, for by Allah it has served me well this day." Ali also handed his sword to Lady Fatima and asked the same, then they Prophet (sa) turned to Ali and said, "You fought well as did Sahl, Hunayf's son and Abu Dujanah." When the time for the night prayer arrived, Bilal made the call to prayer but the Prophet (sa), overcome by deep sleep, did not hear it and slept on. His family did not wish to wake him so later when he awoke he offered his prayer alone. There was always the possibility that the Koraysh would change their plan, turn and march on Medina and so the two Sa’ads together with others from the tribes of Aws and Khazraj took it in turn to stand guard outside the Mosque.
REACTION OF THE UNBELIEVERS
Needless to say, those who did not wish the Prophet (sa) or the Muslims well were delighted with the news and spared them no sympathy, rather, they spoke ill of the Prophet (sa) and mocked him saying, "Muhammad is no more than a seeker of kingship! There has never been a prophet who faced such a reversed situation, even he has been wounded −− so were his companions!" When these sayings reached the ears of Omar he was infuriated and went straight to the Prophet (sa) to ask his permission to put the perpetrators to the sword. However, the Prophet (sa) in his mercy, forbade him to take such action saying, "Allah will make His religion prevail, and He will empower His Prophet." Then he consoled Omar saying, "O son of Khattab, indeed the Koraysh will never again take from us like this, we will greet the Corner." The latter comment referred to the Black Stone placed in the wall of the Ka'ba.
THE DAY AFTER UHUD
Before sunrise the next day, the Prophet (sa) went to the Mosque to offer the early morning prayer with his companions. He told Bilal that after the prayer he would make the announcement that they were to prepare themselves to ride out in pursuit of the Koraysh, however, the deserters were not to be permitted to accompany them. Those that had been able to attend the prayer in the Mosque returned to their fellow tribesmen who had offered their prayer at home on account of their wounds and informed them of the announcement. With the exception of two, none offered an excuse to remain behind. The two that remained were Shammas who had sustained a fatal, paralyzing blow as he defended the Prophet (sa) and Malik who had also been fatally wounded and was now being cared for by his family. Shammas had migrated from Mecca and had no family members to tend to him in Medina so he had been taken to Lady Ayesha's apartment where Lady Umm Salamah, who was from Shammas's tribe, asked the Prophet (sa) to permit her to nurse him. Before the Prophet (sa) left, he informed his household that when Shammas' soul was taken from him he was to be buried with the other martyrs at Uhud and not in Medina. In the meantime, Jabir whose father had just been martyred, went to the Prophet (sa) to entreat him to let him accompany them. He told the Prophet (sa) that it had been his wish to accompany his father to Uhud, however, on account of his father's vision which foretold his martyrdom, his father asked him to remain behind to look after his seven young sisters, and on this account the Prophet (sa) agreed to let him go with them. When Bilal announced that they were going to pursue the enemy he had not mentioned the time of departure so Talha went to the Mosque to make inquiries. When he reached the Mosque he saw the Prophet (sa) already robed in his armor mounted on his horse with his visor pulled down over his face, and so he returned home in haste to get ready. Very soon after, the believers gathered together outside the Mosque. As they lined up the Prophet (sa) gazed upon the severely wounded tribe of Salimah. When he saw their loyalty and willingness to obey him in spite of their wounds, he was deeply touched and supplicated, "O Allah, have mercy upon the children of Salimah."
THE BONFIRES OF HAMRA AL ASAD
The unbelievers camped at Rawha, which lies some eight miles outside Medina, to tend their wounded. Abu Sufyan was not altogether satisfied with the victory of the day before and wished that he had ordered his men to fight on until the Prophet (sa) and the Muslims were all dead. Medina was in easy reach of his army and he pondered upon the merit of leading a further attack. As Abu Sufyan rested, the Prophet (sa) and his companions reached Hamra Al Asad, which is but a couple of miles away from Rawha. News that Abu Sufyan was nearby was brought to the Prophet (sa) who now ordered his companions to gather all the wood they could possibly find and make a series of bonfires, for he was a great strategist. When night fell, Prophet Muhammad (sa) ordered the bonfires to be lit and soon their blaze was seen by Abu Sufyan and his army. It was a sight that struck terror into their hearts for no less than five hundred bonfires had been lit sending flames dancing high into the night air. Abu Sufyan feared that the Prophet (sa) had succeeded in rallying not only the deserters but also a great number of supporters. The matter was of great concern to him as most of his men were wounded and their mounts weakened by injury. In the meantime, Ma'bab, a chieftain from the tribe of Khuza who inclined toward the Prophet (sa) and the Muslims went to visit the Prophet (sa) in his camp. He was greatly impressed by the Prophet (sa) and made up his mind to help him in whichever way he could, so he went to Abu Sufyan's camp. When he reached Abu Sufyan, Abu Sufyan became fearful as he told him, "All of Medina have come out to support Muhammad, even those that turned back before the encounter!” Ma'bab's news confirmed Abu Sufyan's suspicion as he viewed the blaze of bonfires, for he had no reason to doubt the veracity of Ma'bab's news as he knew he was not a Muslim. So, Abu Sufyan ordered his army to break camp and march back to Mecca as he was not prepared to risk a further encounter and nor yet risk humiliation. As Abu Sufyan and his men returned to Mecca they were met by riders from Abdul Kays on their way to Medina to purchase supplies. Abu Sufyan stopped them and asked them to go to the Prophet (sa) with the promise that he would load their camels with raisins if they delivered his message. The riders agreed, so Abu Sufyan told them, "Tell Muhammad that we are resolved to engage him and his companions again. But next time we will make sure to rid ourselves of them completely!" Prophet Muhammad (sa) and the believers were still resting at Hamra Al Asad when the riders approached and delivered the message. The Prophet (sa) responded with a verse from the Al-Quran that reads:
" ... Allah is sufficient for us. He is the Best Guardian." Al-Quran 3:173
The danger had passed and the Prophet (sa) out of concern and mercy for his companions sent a message to them telling them that they were to remain in the camp for three more days in order to recuperate. During this time Sa’ad Ubadha's son,
returned to Medina and arranged for a herd of camels to be loaded with dates and driven to the camp. When they arrived some of the camels were slaughtered so that there was a plentiful supply of meat to strengthen the Muslims.
RETURN TO MEDINA
It was now Thursday and the Prophet (sa) with his companions returned to Medina and learned that both Shammas and Malik had died from their wounds. In accordance with the instructions of the Prophet (sa) the body of Shammas had been taken to Uhud and buried in the company of his fellow martyrs. When the Prophet (sa) learned that Malik had been buried in Medina he told his family to re−bury him at Uhud and so he was mercifully laid to rest with his companions.
A TIME FOR MOURNING
As the Prophet (sa) passed the homes of the Ansar tribes of Abdul Ashhai and Zafar his eyes filled with tears as he heard the sound of women gently weeping and mourning the loss of their beloved ones and said, "There are no women to mourn for Hamza." Sa’ad Mu'adhs son overheard the Prophet's remark and asked the womenfolk of his tribe to go to the Mosque and mourn for Hamza, this they did and after a while the Prophet (sa) thanked them, then supplicated for them and told them to return home.
THE DEBT OF ABDULLAH
Due to his circumstances, Abdullah, Jabir's father, had for the past two years, taken several loans from his Jewish neighbors. No sooner had Abdullah's creditors learned of his death they wasted no time in pressing Jabir to settle the matter. There was very little to offer, however, there was the harvest of his father's date palms which Jabir hoped would satisfy them, but all refused saying the harvest was insufficient. The Prophet (sa) was concerned when he learned of Jabir's predicament went to him immediately and asked him to request his creditors to come and see him. The creditors arrived and the Prophet (sa) supplicated to Allah, whereupon each creditor, to their absolute amazement, received dates equal to the repayment of Abdullah's debt. They were even more astonished when they observed the remaining amount of dates equaled that of Abdullah's usual annual crop, yet their hearts remained hardened.
THE JUMAH PRAYER
It was Friday, and the time had come to offer the congregational Jumah prayer. As the companions arrived they seated themselves on the ground in rows and waited for the Prophet (sa) to enter and give the sermon. Before Uhud, Abdullah, Ubayy's son, had always been respected by the people of Medina and consequently had been afforded a much coveted position in the front line of prayer. It had been his practice since the Prophet's arrival in Medina to stand up before the Jumah prayer and say, "O people, this is the Messenger of Allah (sa). Allah has honored and raised you by him!" However, this time when he stood up to make his pronouncement before the prayer some of the companions tugged at his robe saying, "Sit down, you enemy of Allah! You are not worthy of this after what you did." Abdullah was numb to the seriousness of his desertion and felt as if he had been treated badly, so he left the prayer line stepping over the heads of the congregation saying, "One would suppose I had done something terrible, I only got up to strengthen his position!" As he reached the door of the Mosque and Ansar was entering and asked him why he was leaving whereupon he repeated what he had just said so the Ansar advised, "Go back and let the Messenger of Allah (sa) ask for your forgiveness." Steeped in blind pride, Abdullah refused saying, "By Allah, it is not necessary for him to do so!"
REVELATIONS CONCERNING UHUD
A few days after the engagement, the Prophet (sa) received several verses concerning various aspects of the battle and its participants. One such verse spoke of previously unknown frailty of the tribes of Salamah and Haritha who had and one point considered desertion but Allah turned to them in His Mercy and strengthened them so that they fought with great valor against the unbelievers.
"Two parties of you were about to fail, though Allah was their Guardian, and in Allah believers put all their trust." Al-Quran 3:122
When the tribe of Haritha heard the Revelation they went to the Prophet (sa) and told him that they thought they were one of the two parties referred to in the verse and that it had been indeed been through the blessing of Allah that they had been strengthened and not turned away. Those that had fled seeking the protection of the mountain despite the Prophet's order to return to the battle were also mentioned:
"And when you were going up, and paid no heed for anyone, and the Messenger was calling you from behind; so He rewarded you with grief upon grief that you might not sorrow for what escaped you neither for what smote you. And Allah is Aware of what you do. Then, after sorrow, He sent down upon you safety. Slumber overtook a party, while another party cared only for themselves thinking of Allah thoughts that were not true, the guess of ignorance, saying: 'Have we any say in the affair?' Say: 'The entire affair belongs to Allah.' They conceal in themselves what they do not disclose to you. They say: 'If we had any say in the affair we should not have been killed here.' Say: 'Had you stayed in your homes, those of you for whom slaying was written, would have come out to their (death) beds so that Allah might try what was in your chests and that He will examine what is in your hearts.' And Allah knows the innermost of the chests." Al-Quran 3:153−154
Regarding some of those who were eager to engage the Koraysh at Uhud rather than in
Medina and then deserted it was revealed:
"Did you suppose that you would enter Paradise without Allah knowing those of you who struggled and who were patient? You used to wish for death before you met it, so you have seen it while you were looking." Al-Quran 3:142−143
and referring to the archers that disobeyed the Prophet's instruction:
"Allah has been true to His promise towards you when you routed them by His leave until you lost heart, and quarreled about the matter, and disobeyed, after He had shown you that which you loved. Some among you wanted the world, and some among you wanted the Everlasting Life. Then He made you turn away from them in order to test you. But He has forgiven you, for Allah is Bounteous to the believers." Al-Quran 3:152
However, regarding those who deserted the Prophet (sa) before they reached Uhud it was later revealed when they proved themselves to be believers:
"Those of you who turned away on the day when the two armies met must have been seduced by satan on account of some of what they had earned. But Allah has pardoned them. He is Forgiving and Clement." Al-Quran 3:155
In another Revelation, Allah challenged the Muslims who had despaired when it was rumored that the Prophet (sa) was dead, saying:
"Muhammad is not except a Messenger; Messengers have passed away before him. If he dies or is killed, will you turn about on your heels? And he who turns on his heels will not harm Allah a thing. Allah will recompense the thankful." Al-Quran 3:144
Regarding the martyrs Abdullah, Masood's son, said that it was explained to them by the Prophet (sa) that the souls of martyrs at Uhud had been placed in the bellies of a flock of green birds that come down to the rivers in the Garden to eat of its fruits. When they return, their home is in the shade of the Throne of Allah decked with candlesticks of gold. Upon their return Allah asks them: "O My worshipers, is there anything that you wish for so that I might give you more?" To which they reply: "O our Lord, there is nothing beyond the Garden which You have given us, from which we eat as we please." Then, Allah asks them this question three times and each time the reply is the same except for the last when the martyrs add: "Except that our souls be returned to our bodies so that we might return to earth and fight for You until we are martyred again." Ibn Abbas said that one day he heard the Prophet (sa) tell his companions that the martyrs reside in a tent by a river named Barik. He told them that Barik flows by the entrance to the Garden and that their provision is brought from the Garden each day in the morning and evening.
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