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The Makkan army, on the other hand, continued the march along the usual western road. On
reaching Al-Abwâ’, Hind bint ‘Utbah, Abu Sufyan’s wife, suggested that they dig up the grave of the
Prophet’s mother, but the leaders of the army refused to do so for fear of the consequent results.
The army then followed Wadi Al-‘Aqeeq and turned right to encamp themselves at a place called
‘Ainain near Uhud Mountain. That was on Friday, 6th Shawwal, 3 A.H.
A CONSULTANT ASSEMBLY FOR A DEFENCE PLAN:
The scouting party of Madinah conveyed the news of the Makkan army step by step. Then the
Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) held a head military consultation assembly to exchange
views about the situation. He told them about a dream he had. He said: “By Allâh, I have dreamt of
— I implore Allâh to be a dream of bounty — cows slaughtered and that there was a groove at the
pointed top of my sword, and that I had inserted my hand into an immune armour.”
The interpretation of ‘the cows’ was that some of his men were killed, and ‘the groove at the pointed
top of his sword’ was that a member of his House would be hurt. As for ‘the armour’ it was Madinah.
Then he offered a suggestion that his Companions should not go out of Madinah and that they
should encamp themselves within the city. He was of the opinion that the enemies should be left in
the open to exhaust themselves and thus the Muslims would not risk a battle. But if they thought of
attacking Madinah, Muslim men would be ready to fight them at the mouths of lanes; whereas
Muslim-women would help from over the house roofs.” ‘Abdullah bin Ubai bin Salul — the head of
the hypocrites; who attended the meeting as a chief of Al-Khazraj — supported the Prophet ’s plan.
As a matter of fact his agreement was not based on the righteousness of the plan but rather on
personal benefit. He did not want to fight. On the contrary he secretly aimed at being far away from
fight. However it was Allâh’s Will that he should be disclosed and disgraced in public — for the first
time. It was His Will that the curtain which concealed their disbelief behind should be uncovered and
pulled down. Allâh’s Will enabled the Muslims to recognize the reality of those snakes that were
creeping within their garments and inside the sleeves of their clothes. Thanks to Allâh they
recognized them in one of the most critical times of their lives.
Some of the best honourable Companions, who had missed
Al-Jihâd
in Badr invasion, suggested
that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) should go out of Madinah and urged him to accept their point
of view. One of them said: “O, Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him), for long time we have been
looking forward to this day; and we have implored Allâh to make such a day draw near. Thanks to
Allâh it is time to fight. So let us go out and fight our enemies lest they should think that we have
lost heart and do not dare to fight them.” Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib the paternal uncle of the
Prophet (Peace be upon him), who had already covered the ornaments of his sword with idolaters’
blood in Badr Battle, was ahead of those enthusiastics who urged him to go out and meet the
disbelievers. He said to the Prophet (Peace be upon him): “By Allâh, Who has sent the Book down
unto you, I will not taste food till I fight them with my sword outside Madinah.”
After weighing carefull the pros and cons of the issue, it was decided that the enemy should be
resisted outside the city at Uhud.
DIVIDING THE ISLAMIC ARMY INTO PHALANXES DEPARTURE TO THE BATTLE-FIELD:
Ascending the pulpit at the Friday congregational prayer, the Prophet (Peace be upon him) urged
the people in his sermon to fight courageously. “If you remain steadfast,” he said “you will be
helped by the Power of the All- Mighty.” Then he commanded his men to make ready for the battle.
Most of them rejoiced greatly.
He led the afternoon prwith crowds of people. Then he entered his house accompanied by his two
friends Abu Bakr and ‘Umar. They helped him dress and wear his headcloth. He armed himself and
wore two armours one over the other. He wore his sword and went out to me et people.
People were waiting for him impatiently. Sa‘d bin Mu‘adh and Usaid bin Hudair blamed people for
pressing on the Prophet (Peace be upon him). They said: “You have forced the Messenger of Allâh
(Peace be upon him) to fight the enemy outside Madinah.” Therefore they were determined to leave
the whole matter to the Prophet (Peace be upon him), and blamed themselves for what they had
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