Sir Thomas Bodley (1545-1613)...

Sir Thomas Bodley (1545-1613), the English diplomat and founder of the Bodleian Library, says: "At the taunt of the Quraishites, Ali dashed out of the Muslim ranks glittering in breastplate and helmet. He was soon followed by Ubaidah bin al-Harith, a paternal cousin of Muhammad, and Hamzah who wore an ostrich feather in his cuirass. The three companions were thus closely related to Muhammad and fulfilled the Quraish demand for Hashimite blood!" Col.

Bodley continues, "The three duels were as rapid as they were murderous. Hamzah killed Shaibah, while Ali killed Al-Walid. Ubaidah was mortally wounded, but before he fell, Ali and Hamzah were able to come to his rescue. Hamzah hurled himself at Utbah, and with a sweep of his sword cut off his head.

In a few minutes three of Mecca's most important warriors had been sent to find out the truth about the hell which Muhammad had promised them!" "Three more Meccans ventured forward from Abu Jahl's army to challenge Imam Ali (a.s.) and Hamzah. They too went down before the sword of Islam. A further three were dealt the same fate.

In a moment of hesitation, the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) sent his soldiers charging into a general attack."(40) The Muslims invoked Allah to help them and give them victory over their enemy.

Allah, the Exalted, responded by supplying them with angels: "When you sought aid from your Lord, so He answered you: I will assist you with a thousand of the angels following one another." Holy Qur'an (8:9) The line of Quraish wavered and a number of their bravest and noblest fell; they took to flight ignominiously. in their haste to escape they threw away their armour and abandoned their transport animals with all their camp and equipment.

The battle ended with the death of seventy of the unbelievers, almost half of them killed by Imam Ali (a.s.) alone.(41) 2. THE BATTLE OF UHUD: Thirteen months later, the Messenger Of Allah (s.a.w.), had given the standard of the Muhajirin (the emigrants) to Imam Ali (a.s.) once again. This time at Uhud. It was the 7th of Shawwal in the year 3 A.H. Again the soldiers of Islam faced the treacherous Quraish of Mecca.

The Quraish, led by Abu Sufyan, advanced in the form of a crescent and the right wing of their cavalry was led by Khalid bin Walid, a notorious warrior. Abu Amru, a Meccan champion, stepping forward with his fifty archers, showered arrows towards the Muslims who retaliated promptly. Thus the fight began.