Seerah | Lecture 21 | The Battle of Uhud

The Battle of Uhud involved approximately 700 Muslims facing 3,000 non-Muslims from the Quraish. The conflict began with individual duels, including Sayyiduna Ali al-Murtada defeating the flag bearer Talha ibn Abi Talha and Sayyiduna Hamza defeating Uthman ibn Abi Talha. During the engagement, the Prophet Muhammad entrusted a sword to Sayyiduna Abu Dujana, instructing him to fight until the metal bent, which he did while refusing to strike women. The Muslims initially gained the upper hand, causing the Quraish to flee; however, the tide turned when the archers stationed on the mountain, led by Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Jubayr, abandoned their post against the Prophet's explicit orders to loot the spoils of war. Khalid bin Walid, observing this, led a cavalry charge through the gap, trapping the Muslims and leading to a chaotic counter-attack by the Quraish.

The battle saw significant casualties among the Sahaba, including Sayyiduna Mus'ab ibn Umayr, who was the Muslim flag bearer, and Sayyiduna Hamza, who was killed by Wahshi. During the confusion, a rumor spread that the Prophet had been killed, causing some Muslims to flee, others to remain in shock, and a few to continue fighting with renewed determination, such as Sayyiduna Anas ibn Nadr and Sayyiduna Sabit ibn Dahdah. The Prophet himself was wounded, suffering broken teeth and facial injuries from stones and weapons, and he fell into a ditch before being rescued by Sayyiduna Ali. Throughout the ordeal, the Prophet maintained his composure, refusing to curse his enemies and instead praying for their guidance. The battle concluded with the Muslims regrouping on Mount Uhud, after which the Quraish retreated to Mecca.

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Key topics & takeaways

Combat and strategy

• Initial duels — Sayyiduna Ali defeated Talha ibn Abi Talha, and Sayyiduna Hamza killed Uthman ibn Abi Talha ▸2:14
• Muslim force size — The army consisted of approximately 700 Muslims against 3,000 non-Muslims ▸3:25
• Role of women — Women including Sayyida Fatima, Sayyida Aisha, Umme Salit, Umme Umara, and Umme Sulaim attended to provide water and care for the mujahideen ▸3:32
• The sword of the Prophet — Sayyiduna Abu Dujana was tasked with wielding the Prophet's sword, which bore a stanza regarding the shame of cowardice ▸4:35
• Archery support — The Prophet stood by Sayyiduna Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas, providing him with arrows and offering him great honor ▸7:05
• The mountain pass — Fifty archers were stationed on the mountain under Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Jubayr with orders to remain regardless of the battle's outcome ▸11:24
• Disobedience and consequences — The archers left their post to gather spoils, allowing Khalid bin Walid to attack from the rear, which turned the battle against the Muslims ▸13:19
• The death of Sayyiduna Hamza — He was killed by a spear thrown by Wahshi, an African slave promised freedom by Jubayr ibn Mut'im ▸8:38
• The death of Sayyiduna Mus'ab ibn Umayr — He served as the flag bearer and was killed after his hands were severed ▸15:53
• The death of Ubayy bin Khalaf — The Prophet wounded him with a slight strike, which later proved fatal on his return journey to Mecca ▸28:04
• The death of Ibn Qami'a — He was killed by a goat on a mountain path while returning to Mecca ▸29:18

The Prophet's protection and injury

• The Prophet's injury — The Prophet suffered facial wounds from a sword and a stone, resulting in the loss of two teeth ▸25:12
• Removal of metal — Sayyiduna Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah removed metal fragments from the Prophet's face using his teeth, losing his own teeth in the process ▸32:06
• Drinking the Prophet's blood — Sayyiduna Malik ibn Sinan drank the blood flowing from the Prophet's wounds to prevent it from touching the ground, after which the Prophet declared he would be protected from Hellfire ▸32:55
• Dua for the enemies — Despite being under attack, the Prophet prayed for the forgiveness of his people, stating they acted out of ignorance ▸31:19
• Protection by Sahaba — Sayyiduna Talha and Sayyiduna Abu Dujana were among those who shielded the Prophet with their own bodies ▸30:15

Notable figures and aftermath

• Sayyiduna Hanzala — Known as Ghasilul Malaika (the one washed by the angels) because he entered the battle in a state of janaba and was martyred before he could perform ghusl ▸39:37
• Sayyida Safiya — The aunt of the Prophet who showed great patience upon seeing the mutilated body of her brother, Sayyiduna Hamza ▸40:40
• Sayyida Umme Umara — She abandoned her water-carrying duties to fight in defense of the Prophet, killing the man who wounded her son ▸41:39
• Casualties — 70 Sahaba were martyred, including 4 Muhajirin and 66 Ansar ▸31:04
• Mutilation of bodies — Hind and other Quraish women mutilated the bodies of the fallen, including attempting to bite the heart of Sayyiduna Hamza ▸36:40
• The Ansar woman's devotion — Upon hearing news of the battle, an Ansar woman expressed that all calamities were minor as long as the Prophet remained alive ▸42:15

Words the reader recites

• Proclamation during the battle — The Prophet instructed the Sahaba to respond to the Quraish's claims of idol supremacy with this declaration ▸36:04

  ﷻ Dua· Proclamation of Allah's supremacy

  Allahu A'la wa Ajal.

  Allah is the most high and Allah is the most honorable.

• Response to Abu Sufyan — The Prophet instructed the Sahaba to answer the claims of the Quraish with this statement ▸36:29

  ﷻ Dua· Response to the Quraish

  Allahu maulana wala maula lakum.

  Allah is our maula and you have no maula at all.

• The Ansar woman's declaration — Upon seeing the Prophet alive, the woman from the Ansar recited this ▸43:40

  ﷻ Dua· Upon seeing the Prophet alive

  Ya Rasulullah, kullu musibatin ba'daka jalal.

  All troubles and difficulties, they are nothing ya Rasulullah, as long as you are alive, then everything is fine.