Seerah | Lecture 22 | The end of the third year after Hijrah

The Prophet Muhammad oversaw the burial of the martyrs of the Battle of Uhud, where approximately 70 companions were killed. Due to limited resources, he directed that two martyrs be placed in a single grave, prioritizing the one with greater knowledge of the Quran for the front position. When the burial shroud was insufficient to cover the entire body of Mus'ab ibn Umayr, the Prophet instructed that his face be covered and his feet be shielded with idhkhir grass. He affirmed that the martyrs are alive with their Lord, receiving provision and joy, a status supported by verses revealed in Surah Al-i-Imran. The Prophet established a sunnah of visiting the graves of the Uhud martyrs annually to recite Fatiha, a practice continued by his companions.

Following the battle, the Prophet returned to Madina while the Quraish retreated toward Makkah. Abu Sufyan initially threatened to return the following year to continue the conflict. Upon reaching Hamra-ul-Asad, the Quraish realized their failure to eradicate the Muslims and debated returning to Madina to finish the mission. The Prophet, having learned of their presence, mobilized the participants of Uhud to pursue them. Despite their wounds, the companions responded immediately to his call. Through the intelligence provided by Ma'bad ibn Abi Ma'bad Khuza'i, who informed the Quraish that a fierce Muslim army was approaching, the Quraish were struck with fear and retreated to Makkah.

Key topics & takeaways

• Martyrdom and burial — the Prophet ordered that martyrs be buried in the condition they were found, and when shrouds were scarce, he directed the use of grass to cover exposed parts of the body (▸2:39, ▸3:20, ▸4:06)
• Status of the martyrs — the work affirms that martyrs are alive in their graves, receive provision from Allah, and are capable of reciting the Quran (▸4:26, ▸5:55, ▸9:12)
• Visiting graves — the Prophet and his successors, Abu Bakr and Umar, maintained the practice of visiting the Uhud battlefield annually to recite Fatiha and offer greetings (▸7:09, ▸7:25)
• Divine forgiveness — the work teaches that Allah forgave the companions who participated in Uhud, and it is considered a matter of faith to accept this divine pardon (▸17:00, ▸17:57)
• Mobilization for Hamra-ul-Asad — the Prophet restricted the army to only those who had participated in the Battle of Uhud, with the exception of Jabir ibn Abdullah, who had a valid excuse for his previous absence (▸20:44, ▸21:21)
• Rejection of the hypocrites — Abdullah ibn Ubayy and his followers were denied permission to join the army for the expedition to Hamra-ul-Asad (▸22:24, ▸23:03)
• Birth of Imam Hasan — the grandson of the Prophet was born on the 15th of Ramadan in the third year after Hijrah ▸27:27
• Marriage to Hafsa bint Umar — the Prophet accepted the proposal of Umar ibn al-Khattab and married his daughter, Hafsa, who was known for her intelligence and knowledge of Fiqh and Hadith (▸28:41, ▸29:23)
• Marriage of Uthman ibn Affan — following the death of Ruqayya, the Prophet gave his daughter Umm-e-Kulthum in marriage to Uthman, earning him the title Dhun-Nurain (possessor of two lights) (▸31:33, ▸32:10)
• Ghazwa-e-Ghatfan — the Prophet led 400 men toward Najd to confront Du'thur ibnul Harith Muharibi, who had planned an attack ▸33:36
• Divine protection — during the expedition to Najd, the Prophet was confronted by an enemy while resting; he was saved by divine intervention and subsequently forgave his attacker, who then accepted Islam (▸34:23, ▸35:52)
• Inheritance laws — the rules regarding Ilm-e-Mirath (inheritance) were revealed in the third year after Hijrah ▸37:04
• Prohibition of marriage — the work notes that marriage with polytheist women was forbidden for Muslim men during this year ▸37:33

Quranic verses cited

• On the life of martyrs — the work cites Surah Al-i-Imran 3:169 to establish the status of those killed in the path of Allah ▸5:11

  ۝ Qur'an· Surah Al-i-Imran, 3:169

  Wala tahsabannalladhina qutilu fi sabilillahi amwat. Bal ahya-un inda rabbihim yurzaqoon.

  Do not even think, don't say, don't even think in your mind, don't let the thought come in your mind, that those who have been killed in the path of Allah, those who have become shaheed, that they are dead. In fact, they are alive with their Rabb. They are given provision, they are given food, water, drink, they are given clothing, and all necessities are provided to them.

• On divine reassurance — the work cites Surah Al-i-Imran 3:139 to encourage the believers after the difficulty of Uhud ▸12:55

  ۝ Qur'an· Surah Al-i-Imran, 3:139

  Wala tahinu wala tahzanu wa antumul a'launa in kuntum mu'mineen.

  Do not grieve, or do not feel depressed, and do not worry, you are going to be the most high and the most overwhelming, if you keep your faith.