When Quraysh arrived in al-Abwa’...

When Quraysh arrived in al-Abwa’, Hind suggested to dig out the tomb of the Prophet’s mother, and later on if some men from Quraysh were taken prisoners, they would be ransomed for each part of the Prophet’s mother, but the people of Quraysh refused this suggestion and said, “Let this door not be opened; otherwise, they (Muslims) will unearth the graves of our deads when they come.” [1] The Prophet consults with his companions As usual, the Prophet (a.s.) consulted with his companions on the political and military affairs except when it was revealed to him from the heaven concerning those affairs.

He suggested to them either to go out of Medina to repel the army of Quraysh there, or to remain in Medina waiting for the enemies to fight them in the town. His companions disagreed on the matter. Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salool thought that they should remain in Medina, whereas others said, “O messenger of Allah, lead us out to our enemies. Let them not think that we are coward or weak.” The Prophet (a.s.) responded to them unwillingly.

He got prepared and set out followed by about one thousand warrior. The Prophet (a.s.) marched with the army and when they were at some place between Medina and the mountain of Uhud, Abdullah bin Ubayy bin Salool, who was from the heads of the hypocrites, slipped away with the third of the army. [1] As-Seera al-Halabiyyah, vol. 2 p. 268. The Prophet (a.s.) went on with seven hundred warriors until they stopped at the slope of the valley and made the mountain of Uhud behind them.

He ordered fifty archers led by Abdullah bin Jubayr to remain on the top of the mountain and not to leave it in order to guard the backs of Muslims. The Prophet (a.s.) said to Abdullah, “Shoot the horsemen with arrows and do not let them attack us from behind us.

If we win or not, let you not leave your place.” In another narration, it is related that the Prophet (a.s.) said to the archers, “If you see that we are attacked, do not leave (your place) until I will send to you a messenger, and if you see that we have won and defeated the people, do not leave until I will send you a messenger.” [1] If this troop of the army had followed the order of the Prophet (a.s.), the Muslims would not have met that defeat and the losses of men.

The war Quraysh opened the door to the war when Talha bin Abi Talha advanced crying out, “O companions of Muhammad, you claim that Allah takes us soon to the Fire by your swords and takes you soon to the Paradise by our swords.