IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST BENEFICENT, THE MOST MERCIFUL
THE TWO ARMIES MEET
When the two parties approached closer and were visible to each other, the Prophet saw began supplicating ALLAH:
"O ALLAH! The proud and arrogant Quraishites are already here rebelling against You and belying Your Messenger. O ALLAH! I am waiting for your victory which You have promised me.I beg You ALLAH to defeat them (the enemies)."
He also gave strict orders that this men would not start fighting until e gave them his final word. He recommended that they use their arrows carefully (sahih Al-Bukhari 2/568) and never resort to sword unless the enemies came very close (Abu Dawud 2/13).
Abu Jahl also prayed for victory, saying: "Our Lord, whichever of the two parties was less kind to his relatives, and brought us what we do not know, then destroy him tomorrow." They were confident that their superior number, equipment and experience would be decisive. ALLAH revealed:
"(O disbelievers) if you ask for a judgement, now has the judgement come unto you and if you cease (to do wrong), it will be better for you, and if you return (to the attack), so shall We return, and your forces will be of no avail to you, however numerous it be, and verily, ALLAH is with the believers." [8:19]
THE FIRST CLASH
The first disbeliever to start the fire of the battle and be its first victim was Al-Aswad bin 'Abdul-Asad Al-Makhzumi, a fierce bad-tempered idolater. He stepped out swearing he would drink from the water basin of the Muslims, otherwise, destroy it or die for it.
He engaged with HAMZAH bin 'Abdul-Muttalib ra, who struck his leg with his sword and dealt him another blow that finished him off inside the basin.
THE DUELING BEGINS
The battle had actually started. Protected by armor and shileds, 'Utbah bin Rabi'ah stepped forth between his brother Shaibah and his son Al-Walid bin 'Utbah from the lines of Quraish and cursed the Muslims. Three young men of the Helpers came out against them: 'Awf and Mu'awwidh-the sons of Harith, and 'Abdullah bin Rawahah. But the Makkans shouted that they had nothing to do with them. They wanted the heads of their cousins. Upon the Prophet saw asked 'Ubaidah bin Al-Harith, Hamzah-his uncle, and his cousin 'Ali to go forward for the combat. The Three duels rapid. Hamzah ra killed Shaibah, while 'Ali rha killed Al-Walid (Mishkat 2/343). 'Ubaidah was seriously wounded but, before he fell, Hamzah fell upon 'Utbah and with a sweep of his sword, cut off his head. 'Ali and Hamzah carried 'Ubaidah back with his leg cut off. He died four or five days later of a disease in the bile duct.
'Ali rha used to swear that ALLAH's words were revealed about them:
"These two opponents (believers and disbelievers), dispute with each other about their Lord." [22:19]
The duel was followed by a few more duels but the Makkans suffered terrible defeats in all the combats and lost some of their most precious lives. They were to much frustrated and angry and fell upon the Muslims to destroy them once and for all. The Muslims, however, after supplicating their Lord, calling upon Him for help, were made to hold to their position and conduct a defensive war plan that was successful enough to inflict heavy losses on the attackers. The Prophet saw used to pray to his Lord persistently day and night to come to their help. When the fierce engagement grew too hot he again began to supplicate his Lord saying:
"O ALLAH! Should this group (of Muslims) be defeated today, You will no longer worshipped."
He continued to call out to his Lord, stretching forth his hands and facing Al-Qiblah, until his cloak fell off his shoulders. Then Abu Bakr rha came, picked up the cloak, and put it back on his shoulder and said: "O Prophet of ALLAH, you have cried out enough to your Lord. He will surely fulfill what He has promised you." Immediate was the response from ALLAH, Who sent down angels from the heavens for the help and assistance of the Prophet saw and his Companions. The Noble Qur'an observes:
"Verily, I am with you, so keep firm those who have believed, I will cast terror into the hearts of those who have disbelieved." [8:12)
ALLAH the All-Mighty also inspired another message to His Messenger saw saying:
"I will help you with a thousand of the angels each behind the other (following one another) in succession." [8:9]
THE DESCENT OF THE ANGELS
The Prophet saw, in his trellis, dozed off a little and then raised his head calling loudly in joy:
"O Abu Bakr, glad tidings are there for you: ALLAH's victory has approached, by ALLAH, I can see Jibreel on his mare in the thick of a sandstorm."
He then came swiftly upon the ground reciting aloud:
"Their multitude will be put to flight, and they will show their backs." [5:45]
At the instance of Jibreel as, the Prophet saw took a handful of gravel, cast it at the enemy and said: :Confusion seize their faces!" as he flung the dust, a violent sandstorm blew into the eyes of the enemies. With respect to this ALLAH says:
"And you (i.e., Muhammad saw) threw not when you did throw but ALLAH threw." [8:17]
THE ASSAULT
Only then did he give clear orders to launch a counter-attack. He was commanding the army, inspiring confidence among his men and encouraged them to fight manfully for the sake of their Lord, reciting the Words of ALLAH:
"And be quick for forgiveness from your Lord and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth." [3:133]
The spirit he infused into his men was clearly witnessed by the valor of 'Umair, a lad of sixteen, who flung away some dates he was eating crying out: "These (the dates) are holding me back from Paradise." So saying he ran into the thick of battle and died fighting bravely. Unique deeds of valor, deep devotion and full obedience to the Prophet saw were exhibited in the process of the battle.
The army of the believers fought by the power of enthusiasm which the half-hearted warriors of Makkah miserably lacked. A large number of the polytheists were killed and the others began to waver. No wonder! The standard-bearers of Truth were given immediate help, and supernatural agencies (the angels), were sent to their assistance by their Lord to help them defeat the forces of evil.
The records of Hadith speak clearly of the fact that the angels did appear on that day and fought on the side of the Muslims. Ibn 'Abbas ra said: "While on that day a Muslim was chasing a disbelievers and he heard over him the swashing of a whip and the voice of the rider saying: "Go ahead Haizum." He glanced at the polytheist who had (now) fallen down on his back. The Helper came to ALLAH's Messenger saw and related that event to him. The Prophet saw replied: "You have told the truth. This was the help from the third heaven." (Sahih Muslim 2/93).
One of the Helpers captured 'Abbas bin 'Abdul-Muttalib, who said: "O Messenger of ALLAH, by ALLAH, this man did not capture me, I was captured by a man who was bald and had the most handsome face, and who was riding a piebald horse, I cannot see him here among the people." The Helper interrupted: "I captured him, O Messenger of ALLAH. "The Prophet saw replied:
"Be quiet, ALLAH the All-Mighty strengthened you with the help of a noble angel".
Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum, THE SEALED NECTAR: Biography of The Noble Prophet SAW
Safi-ur-Rahman Al-Mubarakpuri
Islamic University Al-Madinah Al-Munawarrah
Alhamdulillah.............
