Battle of Uhud:

- Background
● The Makkans would never have dreamt of how badly they would be defeated at
Badr, thus the fire of revenge was quietly burning in their hearts to crush the
Muslims
● They were determined to wipe out Muslims and began big preparations for a
second attack on the Muslims
● They put at stake all the profits accruing from trade and commerce during the
year in preparation of the expedition
● The Makkan poets incited the people through poetry to make contributions to the
war
● Hind, who was ABu Sufyan’s wife, prepared a slave Wahshi, who was an expert
at javelin, to kill Hamza. THis was because Hamza had killed her father Utbah in
Badr
● The Muslims of Madina did not know anything regarding the preparations of the
Quraysh and were completely in the dark
● Only 2 or 3 days before the Makkans arrival, Holy Prophet got the news of the
impending attack through his uncle Hz Abbas, who had accepted Islam but still
lived in Makkah
● Prophet (SAW) consulted the companions about the situation and asked if they
should fortify Madina or go and fight in the open battlefield
● Prophet (SAW) preferred this, so did some of the Companions, however, the
youthful and hot-headed people wished to go outside and fight in the open field
● Seeing the urge of the majority, Prophet (SAW) agreed with this and put on his
armour
● After offering Friday prayer, Prophet marched at the head of 1000 Muslims
against 3000 fully equipped Quraysh to Uhad
● On the way to Uhad, Abdullah bin Ubai and his followers deserted the
Muslims, making the Muslims army 700 men only

- Events
● 15 Shawwal -> Prophet (SAW) reached Uhud with 700 Muslims
● He took up position within the rocks of Uhud to protect his rear. On one side
there was a gap through the rock and there was danger of an attack from the back
● Prophet (SAW) appointed 50 archers under Abdullah bin Jubayr with strict
instructions to not leave no matter what
● The Quraysh army was fully equipped with arms and consisted of 700 armoured
warrior, 100 cavalry man and 3000 skilled soldier
● 15 women chanting provocative laments in memory of Makkans who were killed
at Badr
● Commander -> Abu Sufyan
● Divided Makkan army into detachments, Abu Sufyan took the central position
● War started with duel rounds before the general attack
● Great warriors of Islam such as Hamza and Ali killed many eminent
Quraishites, notable the Makkan flag bearer Talha
● Then the general battle started, where the Muslims fought extremely valiantly
and tried their best. They killed a number of non believers
● Nobody was able to face Hamza (RA). Wahshi lay in ambush to kill him, an das
soon as Hamza came in his range he hurled his javelin that pierced his stomach
and he fell down, and Hamza, the great warrior of Islam, was killed
● Hind took out Hamza’s liver and chewed it to fulfil her promise
● Muslims remained undeterred and showed great courage, and soon the non
believe began to turn and flee
● A number of Muslims soldiers started to seize the booty and spoils of war
● As they were jubilant about their seeming victory, most of the archers appointed
to stay guard on the hill left their posts to collect the spoils, disregarding the
Prophet’s orders even though Abdullah bin Jubayr reminded them
● Only a few archers were left, which Khalid bin Waleed noticed, thus he went from
the other side of Mount Uhud and killed the remaining few archers and fell upon
the Muslims army from the rear
● When Muslims found themselves suddenly facing the enemy’s swords, they lost
their sense and complete confusion prevailed
● Some of them disobeyed the Prophet (SAW) and began to flee.
● The Quran says, “Behold! Ye were climbing up the high ground, without
even casting a single glance at any one, and the Apostle in your rear
was calling you back …”
● The Quraysh killed Musab bin Umair, who was the standard bearer for the
Muslims
● Seeing this the Quraysh who had fled also returned and Muslim army was
surrounded on all sides
● Musab bin Umair resembled Holy Prophet, thus a rumour spread that Prophet
(SAW) had been killed, which spread like fire and disheartened the Muslims
further and confusion grew
● The Holy Prophet was actually being guarded by some of his brave followers such
as Ali, Abu Bakr, Umar, Saad bin Waqas, Talha, Zubair etc.
● In the meantime Hz Kaab bin Malik saw the Prophet (SAW) and announced
the good news to the Muslims, which made them relieved and they rushed
towards him, followed by Quraysh wanting to find and hurt Prophet (SAW)
● Muslims shield him from the attack, and eminent Ansar and Muhajireen were
injured and killed
● Prophet himself sustained injuries, as two rings of the helmet pierced his face
when a non-believer injured him on his head, and he was also struck in the face
with a rock that broke two of his teeth.
● The Quraysh showered arrows upon him, but the Prophet (SAW) still prayed for
them, saying: “O my Lord! Forgive my people for they do not know”
● The Muslims succeeded in exhausting the enemy
● The scattered Muslims reassembled and the Prophet went up the hill to
command them. They regained their self confidence and dispersed the Makkans
● They arranged a tactical retreat and withdrew to the top of the hill
● Non-believers took their revenge by mutilating the corpses of the muslims and
making necklaces out of their ears and noses
● Prophet and Companions realised Quraish may attack Madinah
● Muslims encamped at Hamra Al Asad (8 miles from Madinah)
● Abu Sufyan and the Prophet had a meeting where Abu Sufyan agreed to go back
to Makkah
● Muslims buried the martyrs
● 70 Muslims martyred, 22 Quraish
- Significance
● Lesson to all the Muslims, to come until the Day of Judgement. Through its
defeat Allah wanted to examine Muslim's perfect belief in Him and in the Holy
Prophet (SAW).
● It was a great lesson to the Muslims that they should obey the Prophet (SAW) in
all conditions and should not differ from it at any time.
● Although the Quraish did not get a clear victory, they were satisfied with the
result and that they had killed a number of eminent Muslims like Hamza.
● The Jews and other non-believers were also happy with the defeat of Muslims as
they were seeing their misfortune in the progress of Islam.
● The Makkans had realised that they could not alone crush the Islamic movement.

- Lessons
● Always obey the Prophet -> archers left their post and ended up getting killed
● Be united
● Be disciplined
● Don’t be greedy
● Keep faith in Allah
● Take advice from others
● Revenge makes one do heinous crimes (such as Hind chewing on Hamza’s liver)
● Do not initiate a fight as the Prophet did not start another fight even after the
strong victory at Badr

- Leadership
● Strategic planning -> placed archers on the mountain
● Take advice -> war council and took youngsters opinion of fighting in open
battlefield
● Humanity -> Did not punish hypocrites for leaving; buried the dead of the other
side as well
● Fought alongside his followers, did not just command. This helped set an
example for them
● Quick Thinking -> decided to strategically retreat in the middle of the battle
● A brave leader who put his followers before himself because even when he was
injured he made sure to dispel the rumours of him being dead