On the Road to Madïnah
The traveler was riding on alone in the Arabian desert.
Around 629 Christian Era or CE (8 AH or After Hijrah), the Arab region around Makkah and
Madïnah used to be terrifying, burning and scorching wilderness. On one hand, the desert had its
inherent difficulties and on the other, there was constant danger of bandits. So, the travelers used
to journey in caravans. But this traveler was going alone. He was mounted on a warhorse of high
breed, his armour tucked to the horse's saddle. A sword was hanging from his waist while a spear
lay in his hand.
In those days, men used to be tall, broad-chested and of sturdy physique. This solitary traveler
too was one of them. Yet the way he sat on the horse's back indicated that he was a seasoned
horseman, not any common Arab. His face didn't show the slightest fear of bandits who could
rob him, seize this warhorse of such a high breed, and force him to travel on foot. But his
countenance was not normal. He was pondering over something. He was pandering his heart
with some memories and trying at the same time to bury some others.
A little later came a plateau. The horse kept climbing. After a considerable ascent, the ground
levelled. The rider stopped the horse, turned it around, stood up on his stirrups and looked back.
He could not see Makkah which had disappeared below the horizon.
"Abü Sulaimän!" He felt a voice calling him. "Don't look back now. Let Makkah recede away
from your mind. Being a warrior, don't let yourself be cut into two. Be steadfast in your
decision. Your destination is Madïnah now."
He turned his eyes away from the direction of Makkah, turned his horse once again towards
Madïnah and gave a slight jerk to his horse. The horse was well-aware of its rider's gestures. It
recommenced its well-balanced pace. The rider was 43, but he looked quite young. Sulaimän
was his son's name, his father's was Al Walïd. However, the rider liked to be called Abü
Sulaimän1 more than he liked the name Khälid bin Al Walïd. He didn't know that history would
remember him as Khälid bin Al Walïd, and that this name would become an eponym for Isläm's
military traditions and valiant spirit. However, when Khälid was traveling towards Madïnah at
the age of 43, he was not a Muslim. In addition to minor skirmishes, he had fought with the
Muslims in two great battles – Battle of Uhud and Battle of Khandaq.
When the first revelation came to the holy Prophet (Alläh's blessings and peace be upon him) on
a Monday of 610 AH, Khälid was 24 years old. By then he had become the commander of the
military power of his tribe, Banü Makhzüm – a highly respected sub-tribe in the larger tribe of
Quraish. Banü Makhzüm was in charge of Quraish's military affairs. Quraish used to obey the judgments and decisions of his father, Al Walïd. At the age of 24, Khälid too had got this status.
But now, rejecting this noble status, Khälid Abü Sulaimän was now migrating to Madïnah.
At times he would feel like some power within him was trying to pull him back. Whenever he
felt the effect of this power, his neck would turn back, but then a voice within him would rise:
"Look ahead, Khälid. No doubt your are Al Walïd's son, but he is dead. Now you are Sulaimän's
father, Abü Sulaimän who is still alive."
Two names had stuck to his mind. One was Alläh's Prophet Muhammad's who had brought a
new religion and way of life, and the other being Al Walïd's, his father and one of the staunchest
enemies of Prophet Muhammad and his religion. The father had left this world transferring this
enmity to Khälid in heritage.
At the smell of water, Khälid's horse had changed its direction by itself. Khälid looked up to find
some date palms and desert shrubs in a rough circle. The horse was heading there.
Once in the oasis, Khälid jumped down the horse's back. He pulled down his turban, sat at the
bank of water-pond with his knees on the ground. He took water in his palm-cups and poured it
over his head. He splashed the water over his face a few times. His horse was drinking the water.
Khälid drank from that spring which was meant only for the use of humans. It was a small forest.
Khälid took down the horse's saddle, opened up a small carpet tied to the saddle, spread it under
the bushy trees and then he lay down.
۞۞۞
Prophet's Migration
He was tired now. He wanted to sleep for a short while, but the caravan of memories that had
started in his mind wouldn't let him sleep. He was taken to a day seven years back, when his
friends and tribesmen had schemed to assassinate the holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم .His father Al Walïd had a
leading role in this scheme.
It was a night of September 622 CE. Quraish had planned to kill Alläh's Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم while asleep
and the men they had selected to commit this heinous task were brutal savages in human form.
37-year-old Khälid, being a youth of one of the honorable families of Quraish tribe, also had a
part in this conspiracy. However, he was not among the men selected to actually commit this
crime. The seven-year-old night was as fresh in his memory as the previous night. He was
pleased over this assassination scheme, but sometimes, also felt a twinge of regret.
A man from his own tribe had refuted their religion of idolatry and had declared himself Alläh's
prophet. Being pleased over the killing of such an enemy was quite natural. His displeasure arose
from the fact that he was a votary of challenging the enemy and then dueling with him. Killing a
sleeping enemy had never crossed his mind. Despite this, he did not oppose the conspiracy.
When the assassins entered the holy Prophet's house at the appointed time on the all-important
night, they were astonished to find the house vacant. Even the household chattels had been taken
out. They could neither find his horse nor his she-camel. Quraish had gone to sleep in the hope that the next morning will dawn with the long-awaited good news that the man who had refuted
their religion and had been inviting the people to his own was at last killed. But when the
morning came they found themselves looking at each other in frustration. In whispers, they
started asking one another: "Where did Muhammad go?"
Long before the planned time of his assassination, the noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had got information about
the conspiracy, and therefore had migrated to Yasrib (Madïnah). By morning, he had traveled far
away2
.
Today, after seven years, Khälid was also traveling to Madïnah and his mind was enthralled with
Muhammad's صلى الله عليه وسلم name – the man whom he had tried his best to kill in the Battle of Uhud, three
years later, but had failed. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had gone away from the place in an injured state.
Prophet's First Public Call towards
Isläm
Memories kept flashing in Khälid's mind. His mind continued to travel back till it halted at an
evening sixteen years back. In that evening of 613 CE, the noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had invited several
prominent men of Quraish to his house for dinner. After the meal was over, the holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
addressed his guests:
"Sons of 'Abdul Muttalib! The gift I am now going to present to you is something no 'Arab can
offer you. Alläh has particularly selected me for this. I have been commanded by Alläh to call
you towards a Dïn which will ensure success and bliss for you in this world as well as the
hereafter."
2 This is the author of this novel 'Inäyatulläh Altamash's view of the event. The writer whose Islämic spirit is highly
commendable seems to be among those who feel unsure about the miracles. The widely-accepted account is
different. Hazrat Maulänä Idrïs Khandhlavï writes in his authoritative work, Sïratul Mustafä:
"Ibn Abbäs reports that angel Jibrïl, the trustworthy, visited the holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and informed him of the Quraish's
meeting (where they conspired to kill the noble Prophet in the night). Jibrïl advised him not to spend the night in his
home. (Baihaqï)
When the night fell and the darkness spread, Quraish in accordance with the resolution of the meeting, encircled the
Prophet's house. They intended to attack him after he fell asleep. The Prophet asked Hazrat 'Alï to wrap himself in
his green cloak and lie on his bed. He told him not to fear and that no harm would come his way. Though Quraish
were Prophet's enemies, they considered him the most truthful and trustworthy, and many of them kept their trust-
money and valuables with him. The Prophet gave all the trusts to Hazrat 'Alï so that he could return them to their
owners on the next day.
Outside, Abü Jahl, the accursed, was saying to his companions amidst loud guffaws, "Muhammad claims that if you
follow him, you will become the kings of 'Arabs and non-'Arabs in this world and in the hereafter, you will enter the
highest Paradise. And if you do not believe in him, you will die at the hands of his followers in this world and in the
hereafter, you will burn in the Hell-fire."
The noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم came out of his home holding a handful of earth and said, "Yes, I do say this. And you are
among the ones who will be killed in this world by my companions, and in the hereafter you will burn in the Hell-
fire." The Prophet then recited the starting verses of the Quränic chapter of Yäsïn up to
(We have enveloped them, so they do not see. – Qurän 36:9) over the earth in his hand. He threw the earth upon
their heads. Alläh cast a veil over their eyes, and the Prophet went past them without anyone of them seeing him.
(Sïratul Mustafä 1/348-349)
In this way, the noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم invited his close relations to embrace Isläm three years after the
first revelation. Khälid was not present in the assembly. His father was there. He narrated to
Khälid in a mocking tone that 'Abdul Muttalib's grandson Muhammad had announced that he
was Alläh's chosen prophet.
"We agree that 'Abdul Muttalib was a chief of Quraish," commented Al Walïd to his son. "No
doubt, Muhammad's family enjoys a high status, but why on earth should a member of that
family claim prophethood? By Alläh, by the idols of Hubal and 'Uzzä! Our family is in no way
inferior to others. Can any of the families supersede us just by claiming prophethood?"
"What did you reply to him?" Khälid asked politely.
"First we were silent, then we started laughing," Al Walïd said. "However, Muhammad's cousin
'Alï bin Abü Tälib has declared faith in Muhammad's prophethood."
Khälid had not forgotten his father's jeer as he reported this.
As Khälid lay on his back in an oasis on the way from Makkah to Madïnah, the memory kept
him riveted. Though the chiefs of Quraish had not accepted Alläh's Prophet's prophethood, other
people were embracing it. Most of them were youths. Some poor people too had embraced it.
This had put a new life in the resolve of the holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم .He accelerated the pace of
invitations towards Isläm. He was opposed to idolatry and he and his Muslim followers used to
make fun of the 360 powerless idols kept inside and outside the holy Ka'bah.
Before the dawn of Isläm, the 'Arabs believed One God to be the Almighty, All-Knowing, yet
they worshipped those idols. They called them deities and considered them sons and daughters of
Alläh. They were prone to swear by Alläh for every major and minor issue.
When Quraish observed that Muhammad's صلى الله عليه وسلم Dïn which they had mocked at was growing
popular day by day, they made a front against his preaching activities. They made the life
difficult for Muslims. Khälid remembered that he had seen Alläh's Prophet gathering people in
lanes and markets, to invite them towards Isläm. He would say that the idols can neither benefit
nor harm them and that only Alläh is worthy of worship, Who is One, without a partner.
The front opposing Alläh's Prophet was led by four prominent Quraish chiefs. One of them was
Khälid's father Al Walïd, the second was the noble Prophet's own uncle Abü Lahab, the third
was Abü Sufyän, and the fourth Abul Hakam, who was also a cousin of Khälid. This fourth man
had carried out the most inhuman cruelties and oppressions of the Muslims. His malice and
hostility towards Isläm reached the level of ignorant savages. Because of this, Muslims used to
call him Abü Jahl, the father of ignorance. This epithet became so popular that the people almost
forgot his original name. History too has remembered this short-height, squinted and iron-like
sturdy man as Abü Jahl.
'Umärah bin Al Walïd
These thoughts were now disturbing Khälid, perhaps embarrassing him too. Many a time,
Quraish-men had thrown garbage into Alläh's Prophet's صلى الله عليه وسلم house. If ever a Muslim was found
preaching Isläm, Quraish-men would gather around to create nuisance. Uncouth, vulgar men had
been assigned the job of vexing and insulting Alläh's Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
Amidst all this, Khälid felt sort of relieved that his father had never committed any of such
unworthy acts. He had instead confronted Alläh's Prophet's uncle Abü Tälib and demanded of
him to put a brake to his nephew. Visiting him in the company of a few Quraish chiefs, Al Walïd
had warned him that if he did not stop his nephew from insulting the idols and claiming
prophethood, the dear nephew may get killed by somebody. On each of the occasions, Abü Tälib
had refrained from any commitment.
A great sacrifice of his father flashed before Khälid. His brother 'Umärah was a very handsome
youth, smart, intelligent and full of high spirits. Khälid's father had offered this charismatic
youth to two chiefs, asking them to take him to Abü Tälib and exchange him for his nephew
Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم .At this decision of his father, Khälid had felt a tremor in his heart. And when the
two chiefs had gone away with his brother, he had in fact cried in solitude.
"Abü Tälib!" said one of the chiefs gravely, bringing 'Umärah in front of him. "You are well-
familiar with him. He is 'Umärah bin Al Walïd. You also know that your clan Banü Häshim3
hasn't produced a youth like him in charm and intellect. We gift him to you forever. If you keep
him as your son, he will be obedient to you all your life. If you keep him as a slave, then by
Alläh, he will even sacrifice his life for you!"
"But why are you giving him to me?" enquired Abü Tälib suspiciously. "Have the mothers of
Banü Makhzüm started auctioning their sons… Ok, well. Then say, what price you want for
him."
"In return, we ask you your nephew," replied one of the chiefs in an unbelievably calm voice.
This nephew of yours has been a stain for you, a cause of dishonour for your clan. He has refuted
your forefathers' religion and come up with one of his own invention. Don't you see how he has
divided the tribe and turned mutually loving men into enemies for life?"
"What will you do with my nephew?" There was a note of scare in Abü Tälib's voice.
"We will kill Muhammad. And mind you, it won't be unjust! As you see, we are offering our son
in return for your nephew."
"In fact, it will be grave injustice," retorted Abü Tälib. "You kill my nephew and in return I
should take care of your son, spend my money upon him and provide him with the comforts of
life. What convoluted justice you have brought to me! With due respect, I would rather say
farewell to you."
Khälid's heart had leapt with delight when he saw his brother returning with the chiefs and then
heard from them that Abü Tälib had rejected the barter.
۞۞۞
Rukänah meets Sabt
"Have you ever been capable of inflicting any harm upon Muhammad, Abü Sulaimän?" The
enquiring voice had risen from his inside. In his imagination, he shook his head and in his heart,
he said, "Never. … No doubt, Muhammad has a strong physique. But mere physique won't be
enough to lift up a wrestler like Rukänah into the air and then throw him down upon the ground."
Khälid silently wondered.
Rukänah bin 'Abd Yazïd was a distant uncle of the holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم who had not yet embraced
Isläm. He was a highly-acclaimed wrestler of 'Arab. Well-known wrestlers challenged him and
he fell them to the ground in a single move, leaving them incapable of rising up ever again. He
looked quite barbaric as if he knew only fighting.
The moments of past seemed to come close to Khälid as he remembered the three-four men who
had persuaded Rukänah for a get-together. One day, they hosted a feast for Rukänah in which
they provided sumptuous meal and delicious drinks for him. Then they said to him, "Your
nephew Muhammad listens to nobody and continues his preaching without fear of anyone. And
people are flocking to him as if charmed by his magic. Can't you put his mind straight?"
"Do you wish to have his bones broken by my hands?" Rukänah had bellowed in an arrogant
voice in the manner of a mighty frenzied buffalo. "Bring him in front of me… But, no. The
moment he hears of my challenge, he will flee from Makkah. No, no, I consider wrestling with
him an insult to my name."
He was not persuaded by the inciters. He had never considered any wrestler an equal. The
enemies of Muslims went away quietly but kept scheming to get Alläh's Prophet pinned to the
ground by Rukänah to make a mockery of him.
The Jews of Makkah were even more hostile towards the noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم ,but they never came
out in the open to challenge him. They were celebrating the recent turn of events in which the
Quraish tribe had got divided and become mutual enemies. They somehow got the information
that some men of Quraish had tried to urge Rukänah to wrestle with Alläh's Prophet but he had
not agreed.
One night, Rukänah was passing through a Makkah lane when a charming young girl passed by
him. In the moonlit night, the girl recognized Rukänah. Smile spread on her flower-like lips.
Rukänah, barbaric in his temper, stopped at this and came before the girl obstructing her way.
"Do you know when a woman looks at a man and smiles, what it means?" Rukänah asked.
"Anyway, who are you?"
"It means that the woman loves the man," replied the young girl. "As for me, I am Sabt bint
Arman."
"Oh… daughter of the Jew Arman!" exclaimed Rukänah. Then, placing his hand on her
shoulders, he brought her closer and asked softly, "Are you really captivated by my body and has
my muscular power …?"
"Your power has in fact disappointed me," whispered Sabt moving back a little. "You are afraid
of your nephew."
"Says who?" anger oozed from Rukänah's roar.
"Everybody says," replied Sabt in a teasing voice. "First throw down Muhammad to the ground,
and I will present myself to you as prize."
"By Alläh's sons and daughters! I will do as you say and then visit you again," said Rukänah in a
decisive manner. "But what you have heard is wrong. I do not fear Muhammad. The truth is I
consider wrestling with a weak person an insult. Nevertheless, I will fulfill your wish."
Prophet Muhammad's صلى الله عليه وسلم duel with Rukänah
Noted historian Ibn Hishäm writes that the noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم himself had challenged the wrestler
Rukänah. But the evidence provided by another historian Ibnul Athïr seems more reliable
according to which Rukänah challenged Alläh's Prophet, saying:
"My nephew! No doubt you are a man of big heart and daring. I also know that you hate telling a
lie. Yet the real test for a man's courage and truthfulness is in the arena. So, come, and face me
in arena. If you vanquish me, I will accept you as Alläh's Messenger. By Alläh, I will then
accept your religion."
"But it won't be a match between an uncle and his nephew," said the holy Prophet accepting his
challenge. It will be a battle between an idolater and a Prophet of the true religion. And if you
lose the match, then don't forget your promise."
Like a sandstorm, the news spread in Makkah that the wrestler Rukänah and Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم will
face each other and that whoever loses will embrace the religion of the victor. Almost each and
every child, man and woman of Quraish, and the Jews thronged the venue. Muslims were few in
number, but they had come armed with swords and spears as they feared that Quraish might
assassinate the holy Prophet on the pretext of this wrestling match.
The strongest and most fearsome wrestler of 'Arab, Rukänah bin 'Abd Yazïd came face to face
with the noble Prophet in the arena. He cast a contemptuous glance at the holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and
made a snide remark. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم remained calm and confident maintaining the eye contact
lest Rukänah should take him unawares with a trick. Rukänah circled around him like a lion
walking around its prey, about to launch itself on the victim. The crowd was taunting the holy
Prophet. Muslims were silent. Deep in their hearts, they were praying to Alläh. They had their
hands ready on the handles of their swords.
Then, no one knew what happened. What was the move made by the Prophet, no one saw. Ibnul
Athïr writes that the holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم lifted up Rukänah into the air and threw him down on the
ground. Like a wounded lion, Rukänah got up and attacked him with a terrifying roar. The holy
Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم again made the same move and threw him down upon the ground. When he got up the
third time, again the result was the same. The heavy gigantic body having been thrown down to
the ground thrice in a row, did not remain capable of continuing the wrestling match. With his
head lowered in shame, Rukänah got out of the arena.
A sudden silence fell over the crowd. Now, the Muslims were waving and tossing sheathless
swords and spears in the air and chanting slogans.
"Uncle Rukänah!" that was a challenge from the Prophet, not for a new round of wrestling, but
as reminder for the promise. "Be true to your word and announce here itself that you are a
Muslim now."
Rukänah categorically rejected embracing Isläm.
۞۞۞
The historic Battle of Badr
"This strength was not merely physical," Khälid told himself lying on the earth in the oasis. "Let
alone throwing him down to the earth, none before had even succeeded in defeating him."
The figure of the noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was now quite distinct in Khälid's imagination. Though he had
known him well, he now felt that the Muhammad he knew from childhood was someone else.
The new form he had taken recently was unrecognizable to Khälid. After declaration of
prophethood, even normal conversation between Khälid and him had stopped. He now wished to
have a duel with the Prophet, but he was not a wrestler like Rukänah. He was a warrior adept at
fighting and commanding the fighters in a battlefield, but the Muslims at that time were not in a
position to fight like an army.
When the Muslims had finally become capable of fighting as an army and had engaged in their
first major battle with Quraish, Khälid's special circumstances did not let him join the battle.
Since then, he had severely regretted it. This was the historic Battle of Badr in which 313
Muslim Mujähids defeated 1000 soldiers of Quraish. Khälid was left ruing the missed
opportunity. But as he lay there in the oasis he wondered how 313 were able to defeat 1000.
Khälid had asked the defeated Quraish men upon their return home what it was in the Muslims
that had made them victorious.
Khälid sat upright and began sketching with his finger on sand the battlefield of Badr, the
relative positions of the two armies and their moves. His father had made him an expert in the art
of warfare. He taught him horse-riding in his childhood and by his teenage he was able to rein
the most stubborn and recalcitrant horses. In his youth he was already a master horse-rider. He
was also adept at camel-riding. His father himself was his teacher who had made him not a mere
soldier but a dependable commander in his own right. Khälid grew so fond of warfare that he started spending his free time thinking of ways and methods of fighting and commanding. In
short, he was quite capable of commanding an army by the time he entered his youth.
He regretted being unable to participate in the Battle of Badr and from then on, he had been
contemplating how to get back at the Muslims. But now the flow of his thoughts had turned to
some other direction. Since a few days before departing Makkah, he had been pondering that if
the noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was able to throw the wrestler Rukänah off to the ground thrice in a row and
if he was able to defeat 1000 men with just 313 Mujähids, he must be having some "other"
power. He could not consider these things in the aftermath of the Battle of Badr as it had ignited
in his heart the flames of revenge against the Muslims.
In the Battle of Badr, the Muslims had imprisoned dozens of Quraish men. For the chiefs of
Quraish, it obviously was a shock, but even Khälid's morale was severely hit. He remembered
that no news regarding the developments was reaching Makkah when the battle was going on.
The people of Makkah kept looking longingly towards the direction of Badr in the false hope that
some rider will come galloping and report the news of victory.
At last, a camel-rider came into view. People rushed towards him. In accordance with the 'Arab
custom, the rider had torn apart his shirt and was wailing. This used to be the manner of
messengers with bad news. When he came into the midst of the people, he told them with tearful
interruptions that Quraish had suffered a disastrous defeat. Those whose relations and loved ones
had participated in the battle were now jostling past others to enquire about their state, whether
they were alive, wounded or dead. The defeated Quraish army was following the messenger at
some distance.
Among those killed, 17 belonged to Khälid's Makhzüm clan, and Khälid was very closely
related to each of them. Abü Jahl had also been killed and Khälid's brother Walïd bin Al Walïd
was a battle-prisoner.
Hind – the wife of Abü Sufyän who, after this battle, became the chief of the chieftains of
Quraish – was present in the throng of people surrounding the messenger. "Tell me something
about my father and uncle, O messenger!" enquired Hind.
"Your father 'Utbah has been killed by 'Alï and Hamzah," the messenger informed. "And your
uncle Shaibah has been killed by Hamzah singlehandedly. Your son Hanzalah has been killed by
'Alï."
Losing control of herself, Hind started swearing loudly at 'Alï and Hamzah. Then she said in a
resolute tone, "By Alläh! I will avenge the bloods of my father, uncle and son."
Silence seemed to have overwhelmed Abü Sufyän. Khälid's blood was boiling. 70 men of
Quraish had been killed and a similar number imprisoned.
The meeting for revenge
Khälid got up. He dusted the carpet, rolled it up and tied it to the horse's saddle. Then, he rode
up the horse towards Madïnah. He wished to empty his mind of memories but again and again
his mind would reach Madïnah where Alläh's Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was present and which was now the
center for preaching of Isläm. His mind would then travel further behind showing him the scenes
whose cause was the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم .He remembered the words of Hind which she had said to her
husband Abü Sufyän.
"I can forget my father and uncle," Hind had said. "Should I forget even the piece of my own
heart and blood, my son Hanzalah? How on earth can a mother ever forget her son? By Alläh! I
will never forgive Muhammad my son's blood. This battle has been started by Muhammad. I
will also never forgive Hamzah and 'Alï. They are the killers of my father, my uncle and my
son."
"The killing of my son is heating up my blood," Abü Sufyän had said. "It is now obligatory for
me to avenge my son's blood. The first thing I will do is to prepare a mighty army against
Muhammad that will render him incapable of ever fighting again."
Widely-known historian and chronicler Wäqdï writes that the very next day, Abü Sufyän called a
meeting of all the chiefs. Most of them were the ones who could not participate in the Battle of
Badr due to some reason and who had lost one or more of close relations in the battle. Everyone
attended the meeting with a resolve for revenge.
"Do I need to say much?" Abü Sufyän said. "My own young son has been killed. If I do not take
revenge, I have no right to live."
Everyone started to speak at the same time. They were unanimous that revenge must be taken
from the Muslims for Badr.
"But this time none of you should lie behind in your houses," spoke Khälid. "We were
humiliated at Badr only because our chiefs stayed in their homes and sent those people to fight
who did not have enough appreciation for the honor and glory of Quraish."
"Was even my father unaware of the glory of Quraish?" Khälid's cousin 'Ikrimah, son of Abü
Jahl, glowered at him. "Was Safwän bin Umayyah's father also oblivious of Quraish's glory?
Why don't you speak of yourself, Ibnul Walïd? Where were you at the time?"
"We have not congregated here to fight among ourselves." Abü Sufyän tried to put an end to the
altercation. "Khalid! You shouldn't say anything that would sound insulting to others."
"Insulting? Is there any 'honor' still left with us?" There was irony in Khälid's voice. "And we
shall remain insulted and honourless until we exterminate Muhammad and his henchmen. I
swear by the hoofs of my horse, the heat in my blood has singed my eyes! Only the blood of
Muslims can heal it. I repeat that in this battle, the chiefs will be in the front. And as for myself, I
know where I will be, yet I will remain obedient to whoever is the commander of our army. Still, f I feel that the commander has given me an order that may prove harmful to us, I will not
obey."
Everyone unanimously elected Abü Sufyän as the chief.
Some days before this, a trade caravan of Makkah had returned from Palestine. The people of
Makkah, in particular those of Quraish, had placed huge sums in the trade caravan that
comprised 1000 camels, give or take a few, and the aggregate of the wealth that had gone with it
was 50,000 dinär. The chief of the caravan was Abü Sufyän himself who had earned a profit of
50,000 upon 50,000 for the Makkans.
The return route of the caravan passed close to Madïnah. The Muslims got information. They
decided to arrest the entire caravan, and at a particular place the Muslims had encircled the
caravan too. But the terrain was such that Abü Sufyän was able to take advantage of it. He
succeeded in smuggling away the men and the camels one by one hiding behind the highs and
lows of the rough ground.
The smiling prisoner
Khälid's horse was marching ahead with a steady gait towards Madïnah, yet his mind kept
traveling behind. He was able to hear each and every word said by anybody when the Quraish
were scheming to take revenge.
"If you have made me your chief, obeying my command is mandatory upon you," said Abü
Sufyän resolutely. "And my first decision is that I will not distribute among you the yet-
undistributed 50,000 dinärs of profit. It will be used in the decisive battle against Muslims."
"I and my clan agree with the decision." Khälid was the first to announce.
"We agree … Go on … Do it …" The cries of approval rose from every direction.
"My second decision: …" Abü Sufyän went on. "The kins of our men who were killed in Badr
are mourning publicly. I have seen men lamenting and women wailing over them. By Alläh!
when the tears dry up, the flames of revenge cool down. Now onwards, nobody shall lament over
the deceased of Badr. … My third command: We will make no attempt to free our men
imprisoned by Muslims in Badr. You are aware that the Muslims have divided the prisoners into
categories and fixed ransom money for them accordingly, ranging from one thousand dirham to
four. We shall not give a single dirham to Muslims. This money will be used against ourselves."
As those moments flashed in Khälid's memory while he sat on his horse riding towards
Madïnah, he found his fists clenched. A wave of fury engulfed him. Even though the time was
left far behind, it enraged his entire self. The object of his fury was the fact that though it had
been categorically decided in the meeting that no man of Makkah would visit Madïnah for
release of his imprisoned relations, yet one of them stealthily left for Madïnah. He paid the
ransom and returned with his freed father. After this, one or the other Quraish-man would stealthily go to Madïnah and return with his freed kin. Abü Sufyän, eventually, revoked his
decision.
One of Khälid's own brother, Al Walïd was a battle-prisoner with the Muslims. If the Quraish
had not got many of their prisoners released by that time, Khälid would have never thought of
going for Al Walïd's release. His own brothers had compelled him to go and get his brother
released. Khälid remembered that he was not willing to let go of his ego, but then a thought
occurred to him. The thought was that the noble Prophet was also from his tribe of Quraish and
his city of Makkah and so were his followers who had become Mulims. None of them had come
down from the heavens. They were not so brave and daring as to trounce an army of 1000 with
the meagre strength of 313. From where had they got this new power that they were able to
humiliate us and fix ransoms for our men.
"I will have a look at him," thought Khälid. "I will observe him carefully."
And he left for Madïnah in the company of his brother Hishäm. He tied a pouch containing 4000
dirhams. He was sure that the ransom for the son of Banü Makhzüm's chief, Al Walïd would not
be less.
It was as he expected. When he named his brother before a Muslim who handled the affairs of
prisoners and ransoms, he demanded the payment of four thousand dirhams.
"We want some discount in the ransom," Khälid's brother Hishäm entreated the Muslim. "You
too are from us. Have some consideration for our old ties and relationship."
"Now we are not from you," the Muslim declared. "We are committed to obeying Alläh and his
Prophet's commands alone."
"Can we talk to your Prophet," asked Hishäm.
"Hishäm!" raged Khälid unable to hold himself any further. "I had decided to sacrifice my
brother for the sake of my honor but you brought me here. Now give them whatever they ask for.
I am not going to Muhammad to beg for mercy."
He threw the dirham-filled pouch at the Muslim and said, "Count it and return our brother to us."
When the money had been counted, Walïd was presented to Khälid. The three brothers started
for Makkah there and then. On the way, the brothers asked Walïd what was the cause of their
drubbing. They had hoped that Walïd being a youth of a warrior family would tell them the
effectiveness of the Muslims' military moves and their own defects in the light of his
understanding of military tactics and awareness of the art of warfare. But surprisingly, Walïd
seemed to be in an altogether different world with an out-of-place smile on his lips, as if he had
been possessed by some magic.
"Walïd! say something," Khälid urged him again. "We have to take revenge for our defeat. All
the chiefs of Quraish are participating in the upcoming battle. We are also seeking the alliance of
surrounding tribes. They have even started gathering in Makkah." "Bring together the entire 'Arab world, Khälid!" Walïd stated, "and yet you will be unable to
defeat the Muslims. I can't say whether Muhammad has some magic in his hands or whether his
message is the truth. But there must be something, that I haven't disliked them even while being
their prisoner."
"Then you are a traitor to your tribe," Hishäm berated him. "Either you are a traitor or you have
been enchanted by their magic. That Jew priest was correct when he said that Muhammad does
not have a new belief-system or religion. He has only acquired some new magic."
"It was magic only, otherwise Quraish wouldn't have lost at Badr," said Khälid.
It appeared as if Walïd was not listening. There was an inexplicable smile on his lips and he was
time and again turning his neck to look towards Madïnah. There used to be a place called Zul
Hulaifah at some distance from Madïnah. When the three brothers reached there, the night had
grown dark, so they halted there to pass the night.
When they opened their eyes in the morning, Walïd was nowhere nor was his horse. After
considerable thought, they concluded that Walïd had returned to Madïnah. They had observed
that Walïd seemed to be under some enchantment. This enchantment could be the Muslims'
only. The two brothers returned Makkah empty-handed. After a few days, they received a verbal
message from Walïd that he has acknowledged Muhammad as Alläh's true prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم ,and that
he has been so moved by the Prophet's personality and his words that he has embraced Isläm.
Historians say that Walïd remained in high esteem with the noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and he earned
platitudes for his piety as well as his bravery in battles against Disbelievers.
۞۞۞
Wahshï promises to kill Hamzah ُنهْعَ
َر ِض َي هللاُ
Khälid had felt a pang of extreme fury on the occasion. On one hand his brother had gone and on
the other he had lost 4000 dirhams. As bloody hostility had broken out between Quraish and
Muslims, the latter did not return the money. There was another reason as well for non-return of
the ransom money. Walïd had informed the noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم that Quraish were preparing in full
swing for a decisive battle against Muslims. And for this purpose, they had already collected
innumerable dinärs and dirhams.
Khälid was trotting on towards Madïnah. A raised hump appeared at the horizon. Khälid knew
what it was. It was Mount Uhud lying 4 miles north of Madïnah. At that time, Khälid was
traveling on a very long and a little high sand-hill.
"Uhud … Uhud" – a whisper originated from Khälid's lips and he was now hearing his own
battle-cries. "I am Abü Sulaimän … I am Abü Sulaimän" – and with this he found the cries of a
bloody battle, the hoof-sounds of warhorses, and the clanking of clashing swords piercing his
ears. Khälid had been eager to fight this battle and he had fought it at last.
Khälid's memory kept backtracking.
It had happened a mere four years back. In March 625 (Shawwäl 3 AH), the army that Quraish
had summoned to attack Madïnah was gathered in Makkah. Its strength was 3000: 700 were
armored, 200 were horse-riders and provisions and battle-supplies were laden on 3000 camels.
The army was ready to march.
Like a day old incident, Khälid remembered how delighted he had been on seeing the mighty
troop. The time for quenching the fire of revenge had come. The commander-in-chief of this
army was Abü Sufyän, and Khälid commanded a wing of this army. His sister was also going
with this troop. In addition, 14 other women were ready to travel with the army, the most
prominent of whom was Abü Sufyän's wife, Hind. 'Amr bin Al 'Äs's and 'Ikrimah bin Abü Jahl's
wives were also there. The others were singer and musician women. There was poignance in
each one's voice when they sang playing drums and tambourines. The job of these women was
to rouse the morale of the soldiers by singing passionate and emotional songs. They were to keep
reminding the warriors of those killed in the Battle of Badr.
An Ethiopian named Wahshï appeared in Khälid's memories. He was the slave of a Quraish
chieftain Jubair bin Mut'im. He was tall, dark-skinned and sturdy of build. He was reputed in the
skill of lance-throwing. He had a made-in-Africa spear. His original African name was
something else. Jubair had named him Wahshï (meaning wild) after observing his fighting
prowess.
"Ibn Harb!" a short while before the march, Jubair bin Mut'im talked to him, "I have to avenge
the blood of my uncle. Maybe, I do not get a chance. My uncle was killed by Muhammad's uncle
Hamzah in the Battle of Badr. So, if you succeed in killing Hamzah, I will free you."
"Hamzah will die by my lance, master," Wahshï bin Harb said with confidence.
This Ethiopian slave strolled towards the place where the women accompanying the army had
just ridden their camels.
"Abü Dusmah!" a woman called him.
It was Wahshï's another name. He stopped. Abü Sufyän's wife Hind was calling him. He went
close to her.
"Abü Dusmah!" said Hind, "Don't be surprised. I have called you. My breast is burning with the
flames of revenge. Cool my breast."
"At your service, lady," the slave replied obediently, "I will sacrifice my life at the order of our
commander's wife."
"In the Battle of Badr, Hamzah killed my father," Hind said in a sad voice, "You can recognize
him well, can't you? Look, all the gold jewels I am wearing will be yours if you kill Hamzah."
There was smile on his face as he looked at Hind's ornaments. And in an undertone filled with
resolve, he said, "I alone will kill Hamzah." Khälid remembered the setting off of his army. The army had traveled to Madïnah through this
very route. He had climbed a high point to have a look at his army. His chest had swelled with
pride. He felt a tinge of pity for the Muslims of Madïnah. But this pity too had cheered him. It
was an enmity of blood. It was a question of his honour. Crushing the Muslims was now his
determination.
۞۞۞
Betrayal of the Hypocrites
Many days after the Battle of Uhud, Khälid came to know that when Quraish was summoning
the army at Makkah, the information had reached the holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم .And when the army was
on its way to Madïnah, the holy Prophet had the latest news about its march-speed, halts and
distance from Madïnah. The news of the troop's departure from Madïnah had been sent to the
Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم by Hazrat Abbäs (May Alläh be pleased with him).
This army of Quraish had camped at a place near Madïnah which had greenery as well as water.
Khälid was unaware that two Muslim spies had observed the entire strength of the army and had
informed Alläh's Prophet of every detail.
On 21 March 625, the noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم ordered his troop to march. The troop camped at the foot
of a hill named Shaikhain. It was a 1000-strong infantry in which only a hundred had helmets on
their heads. There were only two horses with the Mujähids, one of which was with the noble
.صلى الله عليه وسلم Prophet
It was the first occasion when the hypocrisy of some pseudo-Muslims came to the fore, leaving
the Muslims in great danger. This was equivalent to treachery. They were some people of
Madïnah who had embraced Isläm as public posture, but their hearts were not Muslims. The
celebrated Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had named them Hypocrites. It was very difficult to tell a true Muslim from
a Hypocrite in those days. When the Muslim Mujähids started marching from Madïnah towards
the Shaikhain hill, 'Abdulläh bin Ubai, an influential leader of Madïnah, entered into a discussion
with Alläh's prophet. He averred that the Quraish army was threefold in strength, and therefore,
going out of Madïnah to fight them in the open would be disastrous.
When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم sought opinions from other chiefs of Mujähids, the majority preferred going
out of Madïnah and challenging the enemy in the open. The Prophet's opinion was same as that
of 'Abdulläh bin Ubai, but he decided on the basis of the majority view and ordered the army to
march. 'Abdulläh bin Ubai refused to go out for battle. No sooner had he turned his back than
300 men from the Mujähid troop separated from the army. It then came to light that all of them
were Hypocrites and 'Abdulläh bin Ubai was their chief.
Now there were only 700 Mujähids against 3000 men of Quraish. But Alläh's Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم did not
lose heart and marched off with the remaining 700. He arranged the Mujähids in battle-array at
the foot of Shaikhain hill in the Uhud mountain range. Khälid climbed a high hill to view the
Muslim line-up, then he informed his commander Abü Sufyän and fixed the position of his
division in consultation with him
The holy Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم spread the Mujähids in a length of about 1000 yards. Behind them lay a
valley, on one side was a range of hills, but on the other side, there was no defense. The holy
Prophet stationed 50 archers at a nearby hillock on this side under the command of 'Abdulläh bin
َر ِض َي للاه َعْنهه Jubair
.
"Understand your responsibility, 'Abdulläh!" Alläh's Prophet had instructed him, keep watch on
the back. The enemy may make a move in our back which will be highly dangerous for us. The
enemy's cavalry is quite strong. They may use them to attack from our back. So, keep your
archers focused on the enemy horsemen. I have no fear from the footsoldiers."
Nearly all authoritative historians, in particular, Ibn Hishäm and Wäqdï, write that the noble
Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had clearly stated to 'Abdulläh bin Jubair, "Our back will be safe only by your
watchfulness and readiness. A little slip on your part may cause us humiliating defeat.
Remember 'Abdulläh, even if you see the enemy fleeing and us being victorious, don't leave
your position. If you see that the enemy is pressing us from all sides and that you must come to
help us, even then don't leave your position. This hillock should never go under the enemy
control. This hillock is yours. You are the ruler of all the underlying surroundings in the reach of
your archers' arrows."
Khälid observed the Muslim line-up and told Abü Sufyän that Muslims would not fight the battle
of open-field. Proud of his strong army, Abü Sufyän wanted the battle to take place in the open,
with unbounded fronts. This would enable him to crush the Mujähids with the large number of
his cavaliers and footmen.
Khälid's father had started training him in battle-maneuvers from childhood itself. This included
taking the enemy unawares by suddenly attacking them from a side or back, moving round the
enemy and then carrying out a surprise raid, dividing the army and keeping complete control
over the divisions, and so on. So, when Khälid saw the line-up of Mujähids with the eye of an
experienced tactician, he felt that Muslims may display their skill in the art of warfare.
Abü Sufyän ordered his army to march to the Muslims. He sent the cavaliers to attack the sides
of the Muslim army. One side was assigned to Khälid's division, and the other to 'Ikrimah's.
Each of them had a hundred horsemen under his command. The commander of the entire cavalry
was 'Amr bin Al 'Äs. Abü Sufyän placed a hundred archers in front of the infantry. The flag of
Quraish was in Talhah bin Abü Talhah's hands. In the battles of those days, the flag had the
status of the heart. If the flag fell, the soldiers would lose heart and chaos would follow in the
army.
۞۞۞
Abü 'Ämir Fäsiq
Starting the battle from the Quraish's side, a soldier Abü 'Ämir Fäsiq came out of their row and
reached close to the Mujähids. Behind him there were some slaves. He was an inhabitant of
Madïnah, and one of the chieftains of the Aus tribe. When the noble Prophet migrated from
Makkah to Madïnah, Abü 'Ämir Fäsiq took a vow that he would not rest till he expelled Alläh's Prophet and all the Muslims from Madïnah. He was enchanted by a very pretty Jew girl as also
by their wealth. The anti-Isläm activities of the Jews used to be underground in those days.
Publicly, they had entered into an agreement of friendship and loyalty with the Muslims. Abü
'Ämir was like a puppet in their hands, whom they had decided to ally with the Quraish.
So, when the Mujähids marched out of Madïnah to fight the Quraish, Abü 'Ämir switched over
to the Quraish side. Many men of his Aus tribe had embraced Isläm sincerely at the hands of the
holy Prophet, and they were lined up against the Quraish. Abü 'Ämir came forward and
addressed the Mujähids in a loud voice. The noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had nicknamed him Fäsiq (habitual
sinner).
"Chivalrous bravehearts of the Aus tribe!" Abü 'Ämir called out, "You certainly know me, who I
am. Listen carefully to what I say and …"
Abü 'Ämir hadn't completed his address when a Mujähid of the Aus tribe roared from the
Muslim rows, "O Fäsiq, O sinner, O pervert, we cast our spit on your name."
The scene was playing in Khälid's mind. A torrent of stones started falling on Abü 'Ämir and the
slaves behind him. Historians say that the stone-throwers were Mujähids of Aus. Abü Amir and
the slaves who were in the range of the stones fled back after getting hurt by a few stones.
The Jews were sitting at Madïnah eagerly waiting for the news of the battle. The Jew girl who
had captivated Abü 'Ämir was keenly waiting for the news of her success. She did not know at
the time that Muslims had stoned away the enchantment of her gorgeous youth. (In the coming
chapters, you will be told in detail of the underground activities of Jew and Quraish women.)
Before this incident involving Abü 'Ämir Fäsiq, the women with the Quraish army were standing
in the midst of the troop and singing melodious songs. They reminded the listeners of the
Quraish men killed in the Battle of Badr in such words and tone that made the listeners' bloods
boil and caused their hairs to stand up. A few of these women had also heated the bloods of the
soldiers with fiery speeches.
When the women were ordered to go back, Abü Sufyän's wife Hind rode a horse and started
singing a song. Her voice was loud and emotional. Historians have been unable to preserve all
the verses of her song. They have written that the song was obscene depicting the behind-the-
veils relationship of husband and wife. The verses which are there in the history books are as
follows. The 'Abdud Där mentioned in these verses refers to the clan of Banü 'Abdud Där which
was a branch of Banü Umayyah, a sub-tribe of Quraish. Banü 'Abdud Där was a highly esteemed
clan of Quraish.
Worthy sons of 'Abdud Där!
Watchmen of our houses and hearths!
We are the daughters of night and dark.
We play between pillows and cushions
Which arouses joys and jubilations.
If you march upon the enemy, we'll pull you to our hearts,
But if you flee, we will from you keep apart.
۞۞۞
The Commander-in-Chief comes to duel
After this, there was stone-throwing by the Mujähids upon Abü 'Ämir Fäsiq. Immediately
following this, Quraish started shooting arrows at the Mujähids. Mujähids too rained arrows in
reply. Khälid made a swift move with his 100 horsemen to attack the Muslim side close to him.
He did not know that archers were lying in hiding on a hillock waiting for them. Kahlid's
horsemen were galloping forward unhesitatingly on a slightly narrow path which made them
break their formation.
After much thought, Khälid had brought his division to this area. Based on his father's training,
he was confidently hopeful that his sudden attack would force the Muslims to either flee or fight
with broken lineup, in which case, they would be crushed under the feet of Quraish's horses. But
when his horsemen were still at some distance from the Muslim army side, a torrent of arrows
fell upon his cavaliers from above. His frontline horsemen were now neither in a position to
march ahead nor to turn back. One by one, the horsemen fell after sustaining several arrows. The
horses injured by the arrows wreaked havoc upon Khälid's horsemen. The cavaliers at the back
turned around their horses and fled.
On the other side, the women of Quraish started singing the same song in tune with the beats of
drums and tambourines which Hind had earlier sung alone. "Worthy sons of 'Abdud Där! We are
the daughters of night and dark. We play between pillows …"
Historian Wäqdï reports that in accordance with the battle-traditions of those days, the time came
for one-to-one duel. First of all, the flag-bearer of Quraish, Talhah bin Abü Talhah marched
ahead and challenged the Mujähids of Isläm to send someone to duel with him.
"Come forward, O enemy of my religion!" Like a wave of swift breeze, Hazrat 'Alï rushed
forward and replied to the challenger, "I'm here to duel with you."
Bearing his tribe's flag and waving his sword, Talhah came forward fiercely, but his sword-
attack did nothing but tear away at the air. He was regaining his balance, when Hazrat 'Alï's
sword inflicted upon him a wound so severe that first, his flag fell and then he himself followed.
A man of Quraish ran forward, lifted up the flag and went back with it. Hazrat 'Alï could have
felled him too, but this was against the duel-tradition.
When they had taken Talhah out of the battle-front, another man from his clan came forward.
"I'm duty-bound to avenge," he came to the front challenging, "Come, 'Alï! See the slash of my
sword."
Hazrat 'Alï confronted him silently. Both moved in one round circle maintaining their eye-
contact, then their swords and shields clashed. After that, everybody saw that blood was dripping
off Hazrat 'Alï's sword and his challenger was shuddering on the ground.
Many soldiers of Quraish came forward with the challenge one after another, and continued
getting killed.
The commander-in-chief of Quraish, Abü Sufyän was beside himself in anger when he saw his
men dying in continuum. According to the battle traditions, he being the commander should not
have come forward for duel. His death would have led to chaos in his army. But he could not
hold himself back. He was riding a horse. He spurred his horse and came to the front challenging
the Muslims.
When his wife Hind saw him going forward, she rode her camel, came to the front and started
singing in a loud voice the song which also included the verse: "… if you flee, we will from you
keep apart."
Abü Sufyän was riding a horse but the Muslim who came forward in response to his challenge
was on foot. History remembers him as Hanzalah bin Abü 'Ämir للاه ي َض ِرَ
نههْع . َAbü Sufyän had a
spear in his hand. Nobody expected the sword-wielding foot-soldier to escape alive from the
spear-brandishing horseman. Abü Sufyän's horse rushed towards Hanzalah. Abü Sufyän
positioned his spear, aimed at Hanzalah and then struck him. But Hanzalah showed agility and
moved to a side.
This was repeated thrice. On the last occasion, when Abü Sufyän's horse rushed ahead, Hanzalah
chased after it. The horse halted and turned back but Hanzalah had reached it by that time. Abü
Sufyän did not see him. Hanzalah struck the horse's forelegs so hard that it fell down. Abü
Sufyän fell on the other side. Hanzalah came forward to attack him, but Abü Sufyän kept running
round the horse to save himself. And he called out to Quraish for help.
A foot-soldier of Quraish came running. Muslims were in the false belief that this man had come
to take away Abü Sufyän, but he violated the battle-law. He attacked Hanzalah from behind and
martyred him. Abü Sufyän fled towards his army line-up.
For the last round of duel, Abdur Rahmän bin Abü Bakr came from the Quraish side. Historian
Wäqdï reports that on hearing Abdur Rahmän's challenge, his father Abü Bakr who was one of
the first to embrace Isläm and was in the company of Alläh's Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم ,pulled out his sword
and came forward to duel with his young son.
"Come forward, O Disbeliever son of Muslim father!" Abü Bakr نههْع َللاه ي َض ِر َresponded to his
challenge.
When the noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم saw the father and son face-to-face, he ran forward and stopped Abü
Bakr. "Put back your sword in the sheath, Abü Bakr," the noble Prophet said and took him back.
Hamzah
martyred رَضِيَ هللاُ
Even now Khälid could hear the shouts and cries of the battle. His eyes had preserved the scenes
beneath their lids. As soon as the duels ended, Quraish charged against the Muslims. The noble
Prophet had the Uhud mountains behind him, so Muslims had no fear of attack from behind. The
head-to-head confrontation was ferocious. Though the strength of the Muslims was quite less,
they compensated it with their zeal and skilful swordsmanship. If the Quraish army did not have
overwhelming numbers, they would not have stood their ground fighting the Muslims. They
were fighting merely on strength of their numbers.
Khälid's watchful eyes lay in wait for the noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم ,who was on a side. This was the side
upon which Khälid had to attack. This time, Khälid ordered his horsemen to charge their horses
and pass ahead of the narrow path, then attack the side of the Muslim army. But 'Abdulläh bin
Jubair's 50 archers forced them to flee which they did leaving behind some horses and horsemen
groaning in wounds.
The battle was at its peak. There was only one man who was not fighting. Wielding his lance, he
was moving about in the battle-field as if searching for someone. He was Wahshï bin Harb. He
َر ِض َي للاه َعْنهه Hamzah for looking was
. He had been promised two prizes for killing Hamzah: one,
his master would free him, and two, he would get all the ornaments of Abü Sufyän's wife Hind
which she was wearing at the time.
َر ِض َي للاه َعْنهه Hamzah of sight caught He
. He was charging towards a Quraish man, Sibä' bin 'Abdul
'Uzzä. It was a tradition in 'Arab that women circumcised the children. According to historian
Ibn Hishäm, the tradition of circumcision was prevalent among the 'Arabs even before the advent
of Isläm. The mother of Sibä' whom Hamzah had challenged used to circumcise children.
"O son of circumcising woman!" challenged Hamzah, "Come here and look at me for the last
time."
Sibä' bin 'Abdul 'Uzzä rushed towards Hamzah. His face was red in anger. He was an expert in
the battle of sword and shield. Hamzah too was in no way inferior. Both came close to each other
and started attacking. The shields of both were obstructing the attack. They were changing their
positions and attacking but shields would come in the way of the swords.
At that time, Wahshï bin Harb with his head leaning down, was approaching Hamzah slowly. He
was out of sight because of the landscape and the bushes. Hamzah was gazing in the eyes of his
enemy, unable to see anyone other than Sibä'.
Wahshï came close to him. He was skilled in throwing lance at an aim. He came so close that his
lance could not miss the goal. He straightened himself, balanced the lance in his hand and
brought it in a position to strike. Hamzah struck Sibä' twice or thrice in succession. The last
strike was such that Hamzah's sword pierced into Sibä''s stomach. When Hamzah pulled out his
sword, his stomach opened up further. He fell down at Hamzah's feet. Hamzah had merely regained his balance when Wahshï threw his lance at him with full force.
The distance was very small. The lance pierced into Hamzah's stomach so deep that its blade
came out of his back. Hamzah did not fall.
He looked around and found out Wahshï. With the lance in his body, Hamzah moved towards
Wahshï. Wahshï remained where he was. But Hamzah fell after staggering for four to five steps.
Wahshï watched his body shaking. When the body's motion had stopped, he came near. Hamzah
was martyred. Wahshï pulled out the lance from his body and went away. Now he was searching
for Hind and his master Jubair bin Mut'im.
Quraish flees from the Uhud battle-
field
The battle kept flashing in Khälid's mind and a kind of weight seemed to bear down his heart.
His horse was trotting ahead. He was passing on a low-lying path, so the peak of Uhud
disappeared from his view. He remembered the women of his tribe who were rousing Quraish
and the allied tribes. Khälid remembered that he had climbed a hillock to view the battle. He saw
Muslim women too. They took charge of the wounded fighters whom Muslim men brought
behind from the front. They would apply bandage and balm and give them water to drink. There
were 14 women with Muslims. Hazrat Fätimah هَ
َر ِض َي للاه َعْن
ا was one of them.
Then astonishingly, the few-in-number Muslims had defeated the outnumbering Quraish. The
flag-bearer of Quraish fell down. Someone else lifted it up. He too fell. The flag fell several
times. In the end, a slave hoisted it up. But when he too got killed, the Muslims did not let
Quraish hoist the flag again. Quraish had lost spirit.
Khälid saw their flight. He also saw that Muslims were chasing after them. Quraish did not even
halt at their camps. They left their goods and belongings and fled in chaos. From here the post-
battle phase started. In the delight of victory and with the purpose of revenge, Muslims started
taking into their possession the Quraish's camps and their contents. They were crying out
slogans of victory and triumph. Quraish had fled in such fear that they had forgotten their women
too. They were fleeing on foot, but the Muslims did not even let their gazes fall upon them.
One of the divisions of the Quraish cavalry was commanded by 'Ikrimah, and the other by
Khälid. They had to attack the sides of the Muslim army. But the dice of battle had turned
irreparably for the worst. 'Ikrimah and Khälid, however, kept their horsemen where they had
been stationed during the battle. Even in this condition, Khälid hoped that he would be able to
turn the defeat into victory. But the path which he had to pass through was protected by Muslim
archers in battle-readiness.
These Muslim archers saw from their vantage position that Quraish had fled and their Muslim
friends were capturing the belongings left behind by Quraish. They too started leaving their
positions to gather the battle-spoils. Their commander 'Abdulläh bin Jubair warned them not to disobey the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم .He reminded them that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم had told them that nobody should
leave his position here without his permission.
"The battle is over," shouting this, the archers started descending from their hillock. "Battle-
spoils, battle-spoils … We are victorious."
Only nine archers were left with the commander 'Abdulläh bin Jubair.
To Khälid this scene seemed like a dream. This was what he wished for. He kept looking at the
archers. When they had reached the Quraish camps, Khälid attacked the hillock ('Ainain) where
'Abdulläh bin Jubair was left with his nine steadfast archers. Khälid could have overlooked them,
but he wanted to take revenge from them. His horsemen were steadily climbing up the hillock.
From top, the archers were swiftly shooting arrows.
When 'Ikrimah saw Khälid charging towards 'Ainain, he too brought his division here. His
horsemen began to climb from every side. The horsemen also had bows and arrows and they
were shooting up. It was not possible for 'Abdulläh bin Jubair and his men to stop the cavaliers in
such large numbers. The horsemen reached the top. The archers then engaged in hand-to-hand
fight, but all of them got wounded and fell. Khälid threw the wounded down the hillock.
'Abdulläh bin Jubair too was among the martyrs.
From there Khälid and 'Ikrimah brought down their cavaliers and reached the place from where
the Muslims had started the battle. On Khälid's command, both of them at once attacked the
Muslims. The Muslims were not in a position to fight. However, the noble Prophet had a small
division of Mujähids with him. These Mujähids stood their grounds against the cavaliers.
The women who had come with Quraish had fled. But one of them, 'Amrah, had hidden
somewhere in the vicinity. When she saw Quraish horsemen attacking the Muslims, she
discovered the Quraish flag lying on the ground. She raised the flag and hoisted it.
Abü Sufyän had regained control of his fleeing foot-soldiers. When he looked around, he found
the Quraish flag waving up in the air. He shouted out the slogans of "Long live Hubal!" and
"Long live 'Uzzä!" He then brought the foot-soldiers back and encircled the Muslims.
The battle-scenes flashed in Khälid's mind. He was searching for the noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم – ,and
today, four years later he was going to Madïnah, his heart and mind overcome by the holy prophet
.صلى الله عليه وسلم