The Battle of Karbala

The Battle of Karbala

After the wafaat (death) of the 4th Khaleefa (caliph) Hazrat Ali رضي الله عنه in year 40 hijri, the believers (mu’mineen) accepted his elder son, -
Imaam-e-Hassan رضي الله عنه as the succeeding Khaleefa. Meanwhile, other muslims who were far away wanted to recognise the great sahaba, Hazrat Ameer Mu'aawiya رضي الله عنه as Khaleefa. Thus, to avoid a confrontation between two groups of muslims, a treaty was signed in Koufa, between the two leaders thus issuing Hazrat Ameer Mu'aawiya رضي الله عنه as the new Khaleefa and that after his death, the khilaafat (caliphate) would go back to Imaam Hassan رضي الله عنه , who returned to Madeenah shareef.

Meanwhile, the son of Hazrat Ameer Mu'aawiya رضي الله عنه , who’s name was Yazeed, he was a tyrant of the worst species and who used to live out of deen, had the bad intention to fraudulently take Khilaafat after his father. Learning the agreement signed between his father and Imaam Hassan رضي الله عنه , by jealousy sent one of the his followers, a gangster named Marwaan to poison Imaam Hassan رضي الله عنه who died of this poisoning in the year 49 hijri at the age of 45 ½ years, surrounded by his brother Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه and his family.

Years later, Khaleefa Hazrat Ameer Mu'aawiya رضي الله عنه died on his turn at the age of 70 years old in Damascus (Syria), in year 60 hijri and his son Yazeed fraudulently got on the throne as Khaleefa by sowing terror with his band of gangsters. He sent a letter to the governor of Madeenah shareef, Waleed-bin-‘Urbaa to ask him to do what is necessary so that Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه accept his khilaafat. The muslims of Madeenah shareef knew well the personality of Yazeed, joined Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه to make opposition to Yazeed. Otherwise all muslims would have made this bad choice. Such a situation provoked the anger of Yazeed far away, who gave the order to assassinate Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه ,the latter despite all the pressures, did not capitulate in his determination in order not to let badly people to seize the perfect deen-e-Islam taught by his grandfather -
the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Mustwafaa صلى الله عليه و سلم.

Meanwhile, muslims from many places, Koufa, Syria etc... wanting to escape from the reign of Yazeed, started to write and come to meet -
Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه so that he accepts to become caliph and rescue the ummat (people) from the bad hands of Yazeed. 
Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه who did not aimed for power but was obliged to militate in order not to let gangsters use the deen for their personal recreations. He thus decided to go to Koufa to restore the order and to set free these muslims who were dominated under the dictatorship of Yazeed. But the muslims of Madeenah shareef did not agree that Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه goes to Koufa, because people there were too dangerous. 
So he decided to send his cousin Hazrat Muslim bin `Aqeel رضي الله عنه as precursor to Koufa and that afterwards if the news are good, he would go on his turn to Iraq.

Accompanied by two of his sons, Hazrat Muslim bin `Aqeel رضي الله عنه reached Koufa and more than 40,000 muslims there took oath confirming to him their request of the arrival of Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه. He hastened to send the good news to Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه  who prepared himself and his family to set out towards Koufa. 

By that time, Yazeed learned the news of what occurred, sent his army to resign the governor of Koufa, who was a sahaba, -
Hazrat Naureman bin Basheer رضي الله عنه and replaced him by a tyrant named Ubaydullah-ibne-Ziad. The latter terrorized the population of Koufa and threaten all its inhabitants so that they give up their engagements. Under these pressures, people ended up by being frightened and gradually these timorous ended up yielding to the pressures of Ziad and the army of Yazeed and by giving up their resistance. 
In view of the extent of the astounding situation, Hazrat Muslim bin `Aqeel رضي الله عنه worried about the message he sent to Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه decided to go to see Ziad the governor to negotiate and to take bearings on the situation. This dishonest governor took advantage of this visit to make atrociously assassinate Hazrat Muslim bin `Aqeel رضي الله عنه and his two young sons in his palace. This was on the 3rd of Zil-Hijjah of the year 60 hijri.

Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه as for him, being completely unaware about the catastrophic situation in Koufa, set out with his family the same day of the assassination of his cousin. The caravan comprised more than 70 members of Ahle-Bayts and other companions of the voyage. They were quite advanced on their way when they met a traveller coming from Koufa who inform them about the assassination of Hazrat Muslim bin `Aqeel رضي الله عنه and his two sons as well as the reversal of the koufis (the people of koufa). Full of sadness and astonishment, Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه knew the course of the destiny and they decided to carry on their way towards their goal to make justice and to preserved the deen-e-Islam which was threatened under Yazeed, Ziad and their bands of crooks.

Yazeed sent an army accompanied by Houre to make Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه and his family as prisoners. Houre and his soldiers arrived at Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه who showed them his step towards the population of Koufa supposedly faithful. Houre who had the muhabbat for Ahle-Bayts in his heart acknowledged that and found his task ungrateful and did not agree fundamentally with Yazeed and his partisans, advised Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه to turn back although the latter was determined. At the same moment, a messenger sent by Yazeed arrived and handed a letter to Houre, in which Yazeed requested him not to let Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه and his companions to enter Koufa, nor to let them go back! 
Houre showed the letter to Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه and also could not openly show his attachment in front of the other soldiers who accompanied him, did informed Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه that he was going to take sanctions against him the following day. 
However, he proposed Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه ,to take his family quietly during the night and to leave in the darkness while his soldiers would sleep. All occurred as foreseen and thus the caravan of Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه left towards the unknown in the evening and were found lost the following day in a strange place in the desert thus not very welcoming.

Having asked a person of the area, they learned that the place was called Karbala and immediately Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه understood that He had arrived on the place fixed by the destiny. He made a speech in front of all his large family of the caravan and asked them to be armed with patience because the days and the hours which were going to follow would be atrocious, this was the 2nd Muharram of the year 61 hijri. Meanwhile Ziyad learned about the arrival from Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه in Karbala sent a strong army of 22,000 armed soldiers lead by Aumare bin Sarad who though was a believer (son of a sahaba), but tempted by wealth and a position of governor ended up agreeing to lead this army, which reached Karbala the 7th of Muharram. 

This army used a particular bad method against Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه and his companions there, which consisted in encircling the caravan and to prevent them from reaching the close river to feed themselves with water. They knew that these muslims were the descendants of Hazrat Ali رضي الله عنه the “Lion of Allah” and that they were very robust and the only way of weakening them was to deprive them of water. As, they believed that Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه and his companions were going to capitulate and maybe end up taking oath on the name of Yazeed. But Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه and his companions were in the right path and well determined. Three days after having been deprived of water, the 82 members of the caravan were very weakened and the oldest women and children were suffering enormously. Friday 10 Muharram of this year 61 hijri, confrontation became inevitable and the battle was announced. An army of approximately 22,000 soldiers was about to attack a caravan of only 82 people, of which women, old men and children, almost without defense…

Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه decided not to begin the confrontations in order not shoulder the responsibility of attacking, because it was not in his intention to make the war. But the army of excited criminals all started to call Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه with the challenge of the war. The latter understood that His companions and Himself had appointment with their destiny. One by one, those who accompanied the muslims went on the battle field and eliminated a great number of the unfaithfuls. The army knew that in order to be able to overcome these fierce muslims, though weakened by 3 days without water, it was necessary each time, for the unfaithful army to surround the muslim to assassinate him. In spite of this trick, the members of Ahle-Bayts were so valiants that the chief of the bad army was afraid to lose all their soldiers if they continue to send their soldiers one by one to measure their strenghs with these valiant muslims.

Alas, after the assassination of more than 70 of the members of Ahlé-Bayts, Hazrat Imaam Hussain رضي الله عنه had to prepare himself for the final battle. He attached the amaamah (turban) of the Holy Prophet  صلى الله عليه و سلم  , took the sword of Hazrat Ali رضي الله عنه and of the shield of Hazrat Hamza رضي الله عنه . He spoke a last time to the remaining members of His family, talked to the women and old men who remained in the background, taled to His son Hazrat Zaynoul ‘Aabedeen رضي الله عنه who was sick and thus not authorized to take part in the battle, because he was predestined to make follow the descendance of the Holy Prophet صلى الله عليه و سلم  , the famous Ahle-Bayts. 

Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه presented Himself on the battle field and could eliminate the unfaithfuls so well that the chief of the army extremely feared that if that continues, all his army would go through, especially that Hazrat Imaam Hussein (رضي الله عن did not weaken therefore. The strategic trick used against Him was the same used against the others, i.e. they went by hundreds and did encircle him to attack him within distances. They started by mortally wounding his horse and himself with blow of arrows, till they were both all into blood. The horse could not move anymore and ended up by dying and even immobilized, nobody dared to approach Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه Staying within distance, they continued to throw arrows and spades to Him. Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه was in such an appressive situation when a criminal throwed an arrow which penetrated his Blessed Head. With this supplementary injury which was added to the many others, Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه was completely lying in a pool of his own blood. Weakened by more than 72 wounds to the body, Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه fell on the ground.

It is the moment that a criminal chosed to strike the grandson of the Holy Prophet  صلى الله عليه و سلم  with a blow of spade to the chest. Suffering from the serious injuries, Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه made the sajdah (prostration) for His creator. Another criminal named Nadeer ibne Kharshash approached with the intention to separate the head of Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه from His Blessed Body, but his hands trembled and the sword dropped out of his hand. The Blessed Head of Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه was decapitated by Khouli ibne Yazeed or Shabil ibne Yazeed who did it with blow of sword while Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه was making the sajdah because it was also the time of Jummah and at the same time the ummat (muslim people) was in prostration for the namaz of Jummah.

Thus Hazrat Imaam Hussein رضي الله عنه fell down as the last martyr of Karbala, at the age of 56 years, 5 months and 5 days. His body is resting in Karbala-Mu'allaa whilst His Blessed Head was dafann (burried) later on in the qabarastaan of Jannat-ul-Baqi' in Madinah shareef.

The Battle of Uhud

THE BATTLE OF UHUD:
REVENGE:
When their heroes were defeated on the Day of Badr and the remnants of the army returned to Makkah, it was a terrible blow for the Quraysh. Men who had lost their fathers, sons and brothers approached Abu Sufyan and others who had valuable merchandise in that caravan. They wanted the profits to be used for fighting the Muslims again. The merchants agreed to their request. The Quraysh decided to conduct a new war. Poets spurred the people on with their militant verses and provoked fanatical zeal in readiness for battle.
A well-equipped Quraysh army set out from Makkah in the middle of Shawwal 3 A.H. The leaders accompanied by their wives advanced until they set up camp at the gates of Madinah. The Quraysh had mustered three thousand soldiers.
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah thought that the Muslims should stay in the city and fight only if the enemy came into Madinah. Abdullah ibn Ubayy agreed with him but some of the Muslim men who had missed fighting at Badr said, ‘Messenger of Allah, lead us out to face our enemies so that they will not think us cowards and weaklings.’
They kept urging on the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah until he went into his house and put on his armour. Then those who had suggested going out of the city regretted their insistence and said, ‘We have persuaded you, Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah, for which we had no right. If you wish, stay and may Allah bless you .’
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah then said, ‘It is not fitting that a Prophet who has put on his armour should put it aside until he has fought.’
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah went out with a thousand of his Companions. When he was at ash-Shawt between Madinah and Uhud, Abdullah ibn Ubayy withdrew with a third of the men, saying, ‘He has obeyed them and rebelled against me.’

IN BATTLE POSITION:
When the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah, now with seven hundred men, reached the gorge of Uhud, a mountain about three kilometres from Madinah, he took up his position saying, ‘None of you should start fighting until we give the order.’
He prepared for battle. He put Abdullah ibn Jubayr in charge of the fifty archers, instructing them, ‘Keep the cavalry away from us with arrows so that they do not come up from our rear whether the battle is going for us or against us.’
He commanded them to hold their position and not to leave it, even if they saw birds snatching the army away. He put on two coats of armour and gave the banner to Mus’ab ibn Umayr (may Allah be pleased with him).

ANOTHER RACE FOR JIHAD:
On the day Of Uhud the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah sent back a group of boys because they were too young. They included Samurah ibn Jundub and Rafi’ ibn Khadij who were only fifteen years old. The father of Rafi’ interceded, saying to the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah that his son Rafi’ was a good shot, so the Prophet allowed the boy to go.
Samurah ibn Jundud who was the same age as Rafi’ was presented to the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah who sent him back because he was too young. Samurah said, ‘You gave permission to Rafi’ but you sent me back. If I were to wrestle with him, I would throw him.’
They wrestled and Samurah threw Rafi’ so he was given permission as well. Consequently he was able to fight in the Battle of Uhud.

THE BATTLE:
The two sides faced each other and closed in. Hind bint Utbah stood among the women beating on drums behind the men to urge them on. A fierce battle was soon in progress. Abu Dujanah fought with the sword of the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah. He fought until he was deep in the enemy’s ranks and killed all those in his path.
Hamzah ibn Abdul-Muttalib fought fiercely, killing many Qurayshi heroes. No one could stand against him until Wahshi, the slave of Jubayr ibn Mut’im, waited for him in ambush. He was expert at throwing the javelin and seldom missed his mark. Jubayr had promised him that he would set him free if he killed Hamzah. He had killed his uncle Tu’aymah in the Battle of Badr. Hind, the wife of Abu Sufyan who was thirsting for revenge, also encouraged him to kill Hamzah. Wahshi attacked Hamzah with his spear, striking him so hard that it pierced the lower part of his body. Hamzah fell, a martyr.
Mus’ab ibn Umayr fought in front of the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah until he was killed.

THE MUSLIMS’ VICTORY:
Allah Almighty sent down His help for the Muslims. He confirmed His promise until the idol-worshippers were cut off from their camp and were clearly defeated. The women turned in flight.
When the Muslim archers saw that the idol-worshippers had been routed and had turned in flight to the point that they caught up with their women, they themselves left their post. They headed for the camp, certain of victory, crying, ‘People! Booty! Booty!’
Their commander reminded them of the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah’s order not to leave their post, but they did not listen. They assumed that the idol-worshipers would not come back and so they left the Muslim army unprotected. Then, the cavalry of idol-worshipers suddenly attacked from the rear. A shout went up, ‘Muhammad has been killed!’ Though the Muslims turned back straightaway, the idol-worshippers seized the opportunity to counter-attack.
It was a day on which all the Muslims were sorely tested. The enemy fought their way close to the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah who was hit with a rock. He fell on his side, one of his front teeth was smashed, his face was scratched and his lip cut. The blood ran down his face and he wiped it away, saying, ‘How can a people prosper who have stained their Prophet’s face with blood while he summoned them to their Lord!’
In the confusion, many of the Muslims did not know where the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah was. Ali ibn Abi Talib took his hand and Talhah ibn Ubaydullah helped him to his feet. Malik ibn Sinan, very upset, licked away the blood from his face.
The Muslims, though not put to flight, were out-manoeuvred and forced to resume the fight.
The Muslims suffered greatly from this reversal. The archers’ behaviour led to the martyrdom of many strong and dedicated Companions.
The archers’ failure to hold to the instructions of the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah and his orders not to leave their specified position is referred to in the Qur’an:
‘Allah was true in His promise towards you when you blasted them by His leave; until you lost heart and quarrelled about the matter and were rebellious, after He had shown you that you longed for. Some of you there are that desire this world, and some of you there are desire the Next World. Then He turned you from them, that He might try you, and He has pardoned you and Allah is bounteous to the believers.’(3: 152)

WONDERS OF LOVE AND SACRIFICE:
During the battle, two links from the metal chainstrap of the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah’s helmet had been forced into his cheek. Abu Ubaydah ibn al-Jarrah removed one link from his face and a front tooth fell out; he pulled out another link and a second tooth fell out. Thus he lost both of his front teeth. Abu Dujanah had positioned himself as a shield for the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah. Countless arrows stuck in his back while he was leaning over him. Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas shot arrows in defence of the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah who was handing him the arrows, saying, ‘Shoot, may my father and mother be your ransom.’
When the eye of Qatadah ibn an-Nu’man was injured it fell out of its socket on to his cheek. The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah put it back in and it was subsequently his best and sharpest eye. The frenzied idol-worshippers had surged towards the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah, trying to achieve something Allah had not willed. Ten Companions who were protecting him were killed. Talhah ibn Ubaydullah shielded the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah from arrows with his bare hand. His fingers bled profusely and his hand became paralysed. When the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah wanted to climb a rock he was unable to do so because of his wounds and weakness. Talhah squatted down so that he could use him as a step. The time for the noon-prayer came and he led them in the prayer sitting down because of his wounds.
When the Muslims had been dispersed, Anas ibn an-Nadr, the uncle of Anas ibn Malik, the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah’s servant, continued to fight on. Sa’d ibn Mu’adh asked him, ‘Where are you going, Abu Umar!’
‘Towards the scent of the Garden of Paradise, Sa’d, he replied. ‘I smell it near Uhud!’
He came upon some men of the Muhajirun and Ansar who were sitting down looking gloomy, and asked them, ‘Why are you sitting here!’
‘The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah has been killed,’ they said.
‘Then what use is life after him Get up and die as the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah died.
Then he went forward and fought the enemy until he was killed.
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘We found seventy wounds on him that day. Only his sister could recognise him, and she recognised him by his fingertips.
Ziyad ibn as-Sakan fought alongside five of the Ansar in front of the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah; they were killed one by one. Ziyad fought until he was badly wounded. The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah said, ‘Bring him to me.’ He used his foot as a support for Ziyad’s head. Ziyad died with his cheek on the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah’s foot.
Amr ibn al-Jamuh was very lame and had four young sons who used to go on expeditions with the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah. When they went to Uhud, he wanted to accompany the Prophet. His sons said to him, ‘Allah has given you a dispensation. You stay and we will fight in your place for Allah has removed the obligation of jihad from you.
Amr came to the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah and said,
‘These sons of mine prevent me from doing jihad with you. By Allah, I hope that I will be martyred and then I will walk in the Garden of Paradise with this lameness of mine.
The Prophet replied, ‘Allah has removed the duty of jihad from you.
He asked his sons, What harm is there in letting him go!’ Amr went with the army and was indeed blessed with martyrdom at Uhud.
Zayd ibn Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘On the day of Uhud, the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah sent me to look for Sa’d ibn ar-Rabi’. “if you see him,” he said, “Greet him from me and tell him, ‘The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah says to you, “How do you feel?” ‘
‘I began to go among the slain and I came to him when he was breathing his last. He had seventy wounds spear wounds, sword-wounds and arrow wounds. I said, “Sa’d! The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah sends you his greeting and says to you, ‘How do you feel?’ ” He said, “And peace be upon the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah. Say to him, ‘Messenger of Allah, I can smell the scent of the Garden.’ Tell my people the Ansar, ‘You have no excuse with Allah if anything happens to your Prophet while you still breathe.’ ” He died straight after saying that.’
Abdullah ibn Jahsh said on that day, ‘O Allah, I swear to you that if I meet the enemy tomorrow and they kill me and then split my stomach open and cut off my nose and my ears and You ask me what all that was for, I will say, “For you, my Lord.” ‘

THE AFTERMATH OF BATTLE:
When the Muslims realised that the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah was still alive, they rushed up to one another and advanced towards the gorge. Ubayy ibn Khalaf caught up with him, saying, ‘O Muhammad ! I will not be spared if you are spared!’ The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah, however, said to his Companions, ‘Leave him alone.’ When he came closer, the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah took a spear from one of his Companions, faced Ubayy and struck him in the neck causing him to sway and fall from his horse.
Ali ibn Abi Talib filled his shield with water and Fatimah, the daughter of the Prophet, washed the blood from his face. When Fatimah saw that the water only increased the blood flow, she burnt a piece of matting and dressed the wound with the ashes until the bleeding stopped .
A’ishah bint Abi Bakr and Umm Sulaym carried water in leather bags on their backs. They poured it into the mouths of the wounded. Repeatedly they went back for more water which Umm Sulayt drew for them.
Hind bint Utbah and the Quraysh women with her began to mutilate the bodies of the slain Muslims and cut off their ears and noses. She cut out Hamzah’s liver and chewed it, but could not swallow it and spat it out.
When Abu Sufyan wanted to leave, he went to the top of the mountain and shouted at the top of his voice, ‘The luck of war alternates. One wins today, the other tomorrow. Show your superiority, Hubal !’
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah said, ‘Get up, Umar and tell him, “Allah is the most High and Majestic. We are not the same. Our dead are in the Garden of Paradise and your dead are in the Fire!” ‘
Abu Sufyan retorted, ‘We have Uzza and you do not have Uzza!’
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah said, ‘Tell him, “Allah is our Protector and you have no protector!” ‘
Before Abu Sufyan left, he cried out, ‘Your rendezvous is Badr next year.’
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah asked a Companion to say, ‘Yes, it is an appointment between us.’
The Muslims searched for their dead and buried them. The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah grieved for Hamzah who was his uncle as well as his foster brother and who had always supported him.

A BELIEVING WOMAN’S BRAVERY:
Safiyyah bint Abdul-Muttalib came to look at Hamzah. She was his full sister. However, the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah told her son, az-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam to send her back. ‘She must not see what has happened to her brother.’
Az-Zubayr said to her, ‘Mother, the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah orders you to go back.’
She asked, ‘Why I have heard that my brother has been mutilated and that it was for the sake of Allah. I assume he will be rewarded. I shall be patient if Allah is willing.
She then went to see her brother and prayed for him, saying, ‘To Allah we belong and to Him we return,’ and begged forgiveness for him. Then the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah commanded that he be buried at Uhud.

THE MARTYRS ARE BURIED:
Mus’ab ibn Umayr, the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah’s standard-bearer, was one of the wealthiest young men of the Quraysh before becoming a Muslim. Only a small piece of cloth could be found for his shroud. When his head was covered, his feet showed and when his feet were covered, his head was exposed. The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah advised, ‘Cover his head and put idhkhir, herbs, on his feet.
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah put two of the dead of Uhud in a single shroud and asked, ‘Which of them knew the most Qur’an?’
The one who was pointed out was put into the grave first. ‘I will be a witness for them on the Day of Resurrection,’ said the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah.
He ordered that they be buried still covered with blood, in the condition that they had fallen. They were not prayed for, neither were they washed.

A WOMAN’S JOY:
As they returned to Madinah, the Muslims passed by a woman of the Banu Dinar. She had lost her husband, brother and father in the battle. When she learnt of their deaths she only said, ‘What has happened to the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah?’
The Muslims Said, ‘He is well, Umm so-and-so!’ She praised Allah and requested them, ‘Point him out to me so that I can see him.
When the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah was pointed out to her she said to him, ‘Now that you are safe every misfortune is gone.

THE MUSLIMS’ DESPERATE STRUGGLE:
The idol-worshippers criticised one another and their leaders, saying, ‘You did not do anything. You have merely scratched the surface. You left without wiping them out.
The Muslims were still exhausted and many were wounded. The day after Uhud, the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah’s crier announced that they should pursue the enemy. No one should leave except those who had fought the day before. All the Muslims went out with the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah. None stayed behind. They reached Hamra’ al-Asad about eight miles from Madinah where they camped for three days – Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – and then returned to Madinah when there were no signs of the
enemy returning.
Seventy Muslims were martyred in the Battle of Uhud, most of them Ansar (may Allah be pleased with them). Twenty-two idol-worshippers were killed.

DOUBLE-CROSSED:
In 3 A.H., some of the ‘Adal and al-Qarah asked for Muslims to teach them the faith. The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah sent six of his Companions including ‘Asim ibn Thabit, Khubayb ibn Adi and Zayd ibn al-Dathinah. However the tribesmen double-crossed them and killed four.
When he was captured, Zayd was taken for execution and a group of Quraysh which included Abu Sufyan ibn Harb gathered round. Abu Sufyan called out, ‘I ask you by Allah, Zayd, don’t you wish that Muhammad was with us now in your place so that we might cut off his head, and that you were with your family?’
Zayd replied, ‘By Allah, I don’t wish Muhammad to be hurt even by a thorn when I should be safe with my family.’
Abu Sufyan said, ‘I have never seen a man so loved as Muhammad’s Companions love Muhammad.’
Then Zayd was killed.
When Khubayb was about to be executed he asked,
‘Could you let me pray two rak’ats?’
‘Go ahead,’ his captors replied.
He performed serenely two rak’ats and then turned and said to the people, ‘By Allah, if it were not that you would think that I prolonged it out of fear of death, I would have prayed more.’
He then recited these two verses of poetry:
I do not care if I am killed as a Muslim,
Whatever death I suffer is for the sake of Allah. It is all for Allah and if He wishes
He will bless the limbs which are torn apart.

AN AMBUSH:
‘Air ibn Malik asked the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah to send a group of his Companions to teach his tribe about Islam. Seventy of the best Muslims were sent. When they reached Bi’r Ma’unah they dismounted, but the tribes of the Banu Sulaym of ‘Usayyah, Ri’l and Dhakwan ambushed them by surrounding them with their camels. When they saw what was happening, the Muslims drew their swords and fought bravely, but they were all killed except Ka’b ibn Zayd. He survived until the battle of the Ditch where he, too, was martyred.

INFLUENTIAL LAST WORDS:
When Haram ibn Milhan was killed by Jabbar ibn Sulma, his killer became a Muslim when he heard what Haram had uttered as he was dying. Jabbar explained, ‘Part of the reason I became a Muslim was that on that day when I stabbed one of their men between the shoulders with a spear and saw its point come out of his chest, I heard him say, “I have won, by the Lord of the Ka’bah!” I said to myself, “What has he won! Haven’t I killed the man?” I enquired from others and they told me that he meant martyrdom. “He has won, by Allah!” I replied that was the reason I became a Muslim.’

THE BANU’N-NADIR ARE BANISHED:
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah approached the Banu’n-Nadir, a large tribe of Jews, to ask for their help in paying the blood-money of two men of the Banu ‘Air who had been killed. An alliance had been made between the Banu’n-Nadir and the Banu ‘Air. Although they promised to co-operate with him, they were really plotting to assassinate him. While the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah was sitting by the wall of one of their houses, they discussed what to do next. ‘You will never have such a good opportunity as this again. Who will go up to the top of this house and throw a rock down onto him and rid us of him!’
With the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah was a group of his Companions including Abu Bakr, Umar and Ali.
Allah informed His Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) about the treacherous plan. He went straight back to Madinah and ordered the Muslims to prepare for war against the Banu’n-Nadir. Then he led them to the enemy fortress. It was in the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal in 4 A.H.
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah laid siege to the Jews for six nights, casting terror into their hearts. They then asked the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah if he would banish them from the city and spare their lives on condition that they take with them all their belongings on their camels, except their weapons. The offer was accepted and they left Madinah after destroying their houses, taking whatever their camels could carry.
The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah divided what property was left among the first Muhajirun.

THE DHAT AR-RIQA’ EXPEDITION:
In 4 A.H. the Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah decided to make a raid into Najd, advancing with his Companions until he reached Nakhl. They had only one camel between six of them so their feet became raw from walking. They tore their clothes into strips to bandage their feet and toes. This expedition was called Ghazwah Dhat ar-Riqa, the expedition of Rags.
Though the two sides approached each other, no fighting ensued as they were too wary of each other. The Messenger(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) of Allah led the Prayer of Fear on this occasion.

History of 17 Ramadan ( The day of Badr )

…which the Muslims won through the complete help of Allah Subhanhu Wa Ta’ala in the blessed month of Ramadhan, 2 AH. Move to the entire entry to read a brief summary of the happenings of the notorious Battle of Badr.

Life in Makkah was becoming unbearable for the Muslims. The disbelievers were not allowing them to worship Allah, and were torturing them. The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wasallam, decided to migrate with his companions to Madinah, fleeing the oppression of Quraysh. They left Makkah in secret, leaving behind their property and their money.

The disbelievers in Makkah were very annoyed by this successful migration. They then confiscated everything the Muslims left in Makkah, and used their moneys to equip their caravans with goods to be sold in Syria.

Back in Madinah, the Muslims were thinking of a way to get their property back. “We cannot accept this injustice anymore, we must get our money back by any means,” one of the companions said. “Let us intercept one of their caravans and get back some of our wealth,” another companion said. However, at that time, the Muslims were weak, and not well equipped to fight the Quraysh tribes. Moreover, the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wasallam, would not take such an action until Allah allowed him to do so. Then one day he received the revelation from Allah, saying: “To those Muslims against whom war is waged, permission is given to fight, because they are wronged, and surely Allah is Able to give them victory.” [22:39]. When the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wasallam, got the news that a caravan of the Quraysh tribe was coming from Syria full of goods, in the direction of Makkah, he addressed his companions saying: “Here is the caravan of the Quraysh tribe carrying their wealth with it. Go and intercept it for Allah may give it to you as a booty.”

On the eighth day of Ramadhan, the Muslims gathered a small army comprised of 314 men, 70 camels and only two horses. The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wasallam, and his companions took turns riding the camels, marching towards Badr. Most caravans stop at Badr, a location halfway between Makkah and Madinah, to drink from the wells and rest their mounts. Abu Sufyan, the leader of the caravan coming from Syria, was informed that Muhammad and his army had set out to intercept him. He dispatched a messenger to Makkah to tell his people of the imminent danger and to call upon them to come to his help. When the messenger of Abu Sufyan reached Makkah, he turned the saddle of his camel upside down, tore his clothes, and shouted, “The caravan! The caravan! Your goods with Abu Sufyan has been intercepted by Muhammad and his companions. It may be too late to save it. Help! Help!”

The news hit the people of Makkah like a thunderbolt. The disbelievers were greatly shocked. Immediately, they decided to prepare a great army to fight the Muslims. All the tribes supplied men, money, and equipment. They gathered an army of 1300 men strong, 100 horses and a great number of camels. They marched forth toward Badr, boiling with anger.

Meanwhile, Abu Sufyan reached the vicinity of Badr. There he met a Bedouin whom he asked if he had seen an army. The man answered that he came across nobody except two riders on the hill nearby. Abu Sufyan rushed to the place, there he found a datestone which he examined carefully. He exclaimed: “By Allah! This is the feed which the people of Madinah give to their animals.” He knew that the Muslims were not far away. He changed his course towards the west coast, escaping the Muslim army. When he was sure he was completely out of danger, Abu Sufyan dispatched a messenger to inform the disbelievers of Quryash that he no longer needed their help.

However, Abu Jahl, a sworn enemy of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wasallam, refused to return to Makkah and insisted that the army march up to Badr. He said with great arrogance: “By Allah, we will not turn back until we get to Badr. There we will stay for three days, slaughter animals, have a feast, drink wine and have the girls sing for us. All of Arabia shall hear of our march, our strength and shall afterwards respect us. Let us march on!” Their army was indeed the greatest ever witnessed by Arabia. Abu Jahl saw in this a golden opportunity to humiliate the Muslims, and if they engaged in fighting, to exterminate Muhammad and his companions, and with them the whole religion of Islam.

The news of the caravan’s escape and the advance of the disbelievers’ army reached the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wasallam. It was alarming news, for the Muslim army was no match to the huge and well equipped army of Quraysh. The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wasallam, needed to consult with his companions before making any decisions. The Muhajireen were eager to fight the disbelievers. Their leader, al-Miqdad ibn ‘Amr said to the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wasallam, “If you bid us, we will follow you to the extremity of the earth and fight with you until your goal is reached!” The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam, was pleased by his answer, however the Muhajireen were a small division of the army. The Prophet needed to know the opinion of the Ansar. Besides, the Ansar had pledged to protect the Prophet as long as he remained in Madinah and were not obliged to fight outside it. At this point, Saad ibn Muath, the leader of the Ansar said to the Prophet, “We have believed in you and regard you as the true Messenger of Allah. We bear witness that what you have been given is the Truth, and on this we have given you our binding promise to hear and obey. March on as you desire and we are with you. By Allah, if you ask us to wade through the sea we will wade through with you, and not one of us will stay behind. Perhaps Allah will show you from us what will please you. March on with us!” The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wasallam, was greatly pleased by Saad’s words and issued orders for the army to march on towards the wells of Badr. They encamped near Badr and the Prophet himself sent a patrol to inquire about the position of the enemy. The patrol brought two boys to the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wasallam, who questioned them about the enemy’s army. The boys told him they were beyond the sand dune on the other bank of the valley, that they were a huge army, so huge that they slaughter ten camels every day to feed the men. The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wasallam, turned towards his commanders and said: “Makkah has thrown to you her most precious treasures!” Meaning their best men.

On the 16th day of Ramadhan, the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wasallam, moved to the wells of Badr and encamped there. One of his commanders, al-Hubab ibn al-Munthir who was a military expert said: “May I suggest that we march on with the army and capture the source of water supplies nearest the enemy camp. We shall stay there, destroy all the other wells, and dig a tank near the remaining well to collect water. We would have enough water to drink while our enemy would have none.” The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam, took the advice of al-Hubab and camped at the place he selected. Then Saad ibn Muath built a hut on a raised ground for the Prophet, so that he can guide the army. The Prophet himself made sure that his men were ready for the battle. He gave them the orders that they should not be the first to start the fight. The two armies advanced to meet each other. The situation grew very serious and the shadow of death hung over the valley. The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhe wa sallam, knew that on the outcome of this battle hung the fate of the Muslims and the religion of Islam. It was a battle between Islam and disbelief, between the Truth and falsehood. He knelt down and implored Allah, saying, “O Allah! Should this group of Muslims perish, there will be none left to worship You on earth.”

The first among the Muslims to engage in fighting was Hamza ibn Abdil Muttalib, the Prophet’s uncle, killing a disbeliever who tried to reach the water tank to destroy it. That was the spark that started the battle. Three men among the best Quraysh warriors advanced between the two armies and challenged three Muslims to single combat. Hamza ibn Abdil Muttalib, Ali ibn Abi Taleb and Ubaidah ibn al-Harith among the Muslims advanced. Hamza and Ali killed their opponents in no time, while Ubaidah and his opponent dealt to each other a fatal blow. Enraged by this defeat, the Quraysh army showered the Muslims with arrows, then rushed forward brandishing their swords. They attacked in waves and lost a large number of their men, but were unable to break the Muslim lines. Holding their ground, the Muslims waited until their enemy spent its force, then they counter attacked swiftly with all their strength, carrying away before them the enemies. The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wasallam, was leading the Muslims, fighting bravely in the front ranks and reciting the Qur’an at the same time. Suffering a great loss, the army of Quraysh fled before the Muslims, who chased them and took many prisoners. But Abu Jahl, would not admit defeat. He tried to reorganize his broken army, but they fled in disarray, leaving him with a group of spearmen to guard him. This did not deter Muath ibn Amr from getting at Abu Jahl, and hitting him with his sword, then another companion transfixed Abu Jahl with his lance and killed him.

It was a crushing defeat inflicted to the disbelievers who lost 70 of their best men, including 20 of their chiefs. Seventy others were taken prisoners. Fourteen Muslims died in this battle. The news of the Muslim victory reached the people in Madinah who rejoiced greatly. Yet they could not believe their eyes when, on the 23rd of Ramadhan, the Prophet and his companions entered the city triumphantly, dragging along seventy prisoners.

That was the Great Battle of Badr, which took place in Ramadhan. No other battle was more decisive in the history of Islam. Before it, Muslims were weak and constantly persecuted by their enemies. After it, they emerged as one powerful nation to be reckoned with, all by the Grace of Allah, Who is Able over all things.