Sunday, September 27, 2026

The Battle of Uhud: Martyrdom, Reversal and the Companions’ Defense of the Prophet ﷺ

The Battle starts:

In the beginning of the battle, Abu Âmir came forward. He was a monk (belonging to the Aus of Al-Madinah) held in regard by his people. He had settled in Makkah after the arrival of the Muslims in Al-Madinah, and also accompanied the Makkan army to Uhud. He had claimed in Makkah that he would certainly call the Aus to his side right on the battleground. Thus he gave the call but was ruthlessly rebuked by the believing Aus and he was rejected. Following this, each side launched an attack against the other.

Hamzah bin Abdul-Muttalib and Abu Dujânah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) fought with such matchless gallantry that the disbelievers lost courage. Abu Dujânah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) fought with the Prophet's sword killing everybody that came up against him, and advanced deep into the enemy's ranks. Hindah bint Utbah, the wife of Abu Sufyân was within the range of his sword at that moment she screamed and Abu Dujânah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) held his sword back for he did not like that the Prophet's sword be stained with the blood of a woman, so she was saved.

Martyrdom of Hamzah bin Abdul-Muttalib (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم):

Hamzah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) sprang into action with matchless valor and killed Talhah, the standard-bearer of the polytheists. He then went deep into the ranks killing and creating chaos and disorder. Wahshi, the Abyssinian slave, noticed him from a distance and then hid behind some rocks. While making a quick forward movement, Hamzah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) came within the range of Wahshi and he flung his lance at him which pierced him from one side to the other.

Hanzalah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) approached Abu Sufyân by breaking the cordon around him with his dashing charge but Shaddâd bin Aswad Laithi killed him before he could attack Abu Sufyân. Nadr bin Anas and Saad bin Ar-Rabi' (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) proved their mettle before being honored with martyrdom. Twelve standard-bearers of the Quraish army were killed one by one at the hands of Muslim fighters. The Quraish standard remained lying on the ground after the killing of Sawâb, their last standard-bearer, and none had the courage to pick it up after him. The massive Makkan army was routed and after a gradual retreat, they fled the field accompanied by their women who had taken a position to encourage their soldiers to fight fiercely and fearlessly.

A Reversal:

The defeat of the polytheists and the victory of the Muslims left none in doubt of the outcome of the fierce battle. The fleeing of the polytheists and their standard lying on the ground for a long period created in the Muslim archer's hearts a zest and fervor to chase the escaping enemy. They did this in spite of their commander, Abdullah bin Jubair (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) trying to stop them from doing so until the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) signaled them to join the attack. Khâlid bin Walid knew the importance of that mountain pass and he therefore, lost no time in storming into the open passage left by the Muslim archers. No one was there to stop the forward movement of the Makkan cavalry. Abdullah bin Jubair (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) was martyred on the spot. This sudden attack of the polytheists created a temporary confusion in the Muslim ranks and they stopped chasing the Makkan army.

The chaotic condition of the Muslim ranks emboldened Ikrimah bin Abu Jahl and Abu Sufyân to stop fleeing and they gathered their soldiers together to launch another attack on the Muslims while they were in a state of turmoil. Their sudden onslaught only added to the trouble and losses in Muslim ranks.

The Muslims were surrounded by a large numbers of polytheist fighters on different fronts. Mus'ab bin Umair (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) was standing by the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) with the standard of Islam in his hand. Ibn Qami'ah Laithi, a noted fighter among the disbelievers made a violent attack and put Mus'ab bin Umair (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) to martyrdom. Since Mus'ab (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) resembled the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), he thought that Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) was martyred. Ibn Qami'ah mounted a raised place and claimed that he had killed Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). This news sent a wave of great joy through the ranks of the polytheists and in a fit of rejoicing they indulged in jumping and dancing and felt very elated and encouraged. The Muslims were on the other hand, left shocked and stunned. Meanwhile Ka'b bin Mâlik (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) saw him and exclaimed loudly, "Muslims! Be happy, for the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) is alive and perfectly safe and sound."

Following this, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) called in a loud voice, "O slaves of Allâh, come to me for I am the Messenger of Allâh." The Muslims rushed to him from far and near fighting and killing the disbelievers. The disbelievers also concentrated on the area where the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) was surrounded by his Companions. Allâh's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) was now the main target of the attack. Abdullah bin Shihâb Zuhri struck the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and injured his face, while Ibn Qami'ah hit his head so violently that two rings from the metal chain strap of the helmet put on by the Prophet were driven into his cheek. Abu Ubaidah bin Al-Jarrah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) pulled out the rings one by one and two of his teeth were pulled out doing this.

Moths at the Lamp of Prophethood:

Some of the devoted Companions circled around the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم). Abu Dujânah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) leaned over the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) to shield him from arrows until many were stuck in his back. Saad bin Abu Waqqâs, Abu Talhah, Zubair, and Abdur-Rahmân bin Auf (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) stood like rocks to guard him against the mounting onslaught of the enemy soldiers. Talhah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) used his hand as a shield to stop the sword attacks until it became motionless. Ziyâd bin Sakan Ansâri (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and five of his companions were martyred protecting the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), Amârah bin Ziyâd (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) met the same fate. Umm Amârah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) whose real name was Nusaibah bint Ka'b, went following the Muslim troops just to see the spectacle of the battle. But when the situation turned against the Muslims, she rushed to be by the side of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) in those difficult and delicate moments. When Ibn Qami'ah attacked the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), she rushed forward like a flash of lightning and launched several attacks on the enemy of Islam with a sword. But he remained safe because he was wearing a double coat of mail. But his counter attack inflicted a deep injury on her arm near the shoulder.

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