ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Beacons of Life The Engagement of Hunayn The engagement of Hunayn took place in 8/ 630. The tribe of Hawazin gathered a large multitude of men against the Prophet. The Messenger of Allah was told that Safwan ibn Umayyah had a hundred suits of armour in his possession. He asked him for them, and Safwan enquired: "Would you seize them by force, O Muhammad?" "No", he answered: "rather a loan guaranteed." He thus agreed and gave them to him.

The Messenger of Allah left Mecca with two thousand fighters. He had with him as well an additional ten thousand men. One of his observed: "If you are defeated today, it will not be for reasons of inadequate numbers." The Messenger of Allah was troubled by this observation; thus Allah sent down: On the day of Hunayn when you were pleased with your own large numbers . . . [Qur'an 9:25]. A man called Malik ibn `Awf an-Nasri came with some men of the tribes of Qays and Thaqif.

The Messenger of Allah sent `Abdullah ibn Abi Hadrad as a spy, and he heard Ibn `Awf saying: "O people of Hawazin, you are indeed the quickest to anger and most numerous among the Arabs. This man, moreover, has not yet met a people who would engage him in a true fight. When you meet him, break the tips of your swords in fighting; rush at him as one man!" Ibn Abi Hadrad then came to the Apostle of Allah and recounted all this to him.

`Umar rejoined, "Do not listen, O Apostle of Allah, to what Ibn AN Hadrad is saying." He answered: "O `Umar, you were gone astray, then Allah guided you. Ibn Abi Hadrad is a truthful man." As-Sadiq related that it was Durayd ibn as-Sammah who accompanied the men of Hawazin. Although Durayd was an old man, they brought him with them in order that they might benefit from his wise counsel.

When they reached Awtas (a place three days' journey from Mecca), the old man exclaimed: "A goodly place this is for horses to gallop. There is neither rough terrain nor a plain of quicksand. Why then do I hear the braying of camels and donkeys and the cries of infants?" He was told that Malik ibn `Awf had had men bring their wealth, womenfolk and children with them. He called for Malik, and when he came he said to him: "O Malik, you have become the chief of your people.

This, moreover, is a day which will be important for many days to follow. Why do I then hear the braying of camels and donkeys, the cries of infants and the bleating of sheep?