The Battle of Uhud
The Qureshites came out from the Battle of Badr with an
astonishing result which they did not expect. They were confident
of their capability to annihilate the Muslims easily. For the
Qureshites were more numerous and with a bigger reserve and more
logistics. Yet, they suddenly found themselves losing seventy of
their warriors and leaders, along with seventy captives, in a
one-day battle. And above all, the resounding defeat which they
received was at the hand of a group whom they used to belittle.The Qureshites were unwilling to admit a final defeat. They lost a battle, but they believed that they would never lose the war. All they needed was to mobilize forces to which the Muslims would not be able to stand. The burning hatred in the hearts of Qureshites and their desire to wash away the shame of the defeat at Badr and their eagerness to avenge their lost leaders added to their physical superiority a tremendous psychological strength.
The Qureshites mobilized for the battle of avenge three thousand fighters compared to nine hundred and fifty fighters al the Battle of Badr. This army was financed and its logistics were secured through the gross income of the commercial caravan which was allotted to the battle of avenge. Thus, the community of Quraish, one year after the Battle of Badr, marched towards Medina to annihilate the Muslims, their religion, and their Prophet. The Meccan army arrived at the area of Ohod which is five miles away from Medina. There, the expected battle took place.
The Holy Prophet went on deploying his forces, placing them in strategic positions. He placed fifty marksmen at the slope of the Mount of Ohod, directing them to protect the back of the Muslims against the pagan cavalry (which was led by Khalid Ibn Al-Waleed). He commanded them not to leave their position whether the Muslims defeated the pagans or the pagans defeated the Muslims.
The Elements of the Islamic Defense
In this second battle of destiny for the Muslims, the Islamic defense consisted of the same three important ele- ments which played their roles at the battle of Badr:1. The ideal leadership of the Messenger and his firm- ness.
2. The members of the house of the Holy Prophet and their heroism.
3. An Islamic army consisting of seven hundred com- panions, the hearts of many of them were filled with faith and readiness for sacrifice.
The start of the Battle of Ohod followed the method of the beginning or the Battle or Badr. Talhah Ibn Abu Talhah ( from Banu Abdul-Dar clan ), the bearer of the banner or the pagans, challenged the Muslims, saying: "Are there any duelers?" The respondent to his call was the same respondent of the Battle of Badr. Ali came to him and when they faced each other between the two hosts, Ali swiftly dealt him a blow by his sword through which his head was split. The Holy Prophet was pleased. He exclaimed: AIlahu Akbar (God Is Great), and so did the Muslims, for the biggest hero of the pagan army had died .
Abu Saad Ibn Abu Talhah (brother of Talhah) car- ried the banner and challenged the Muslims, saying Companions of Mohammad, you allege that your dead go to Paradise and our dead go to Hell. By Al Lat, you lie. If you were so confident, some of you could have faced me. Let one of you come to fight me.
Ref: Dr. M. Haykal, Life of Muhammad, p 289
Ali came to him and Abu Saad was not luckier than his brother Talhah. The men of Abdul-Dar continued re- placing the bearers of their banner with their men, and the Muslims continued annihilating them. Ali destroyed Artat Ibn Sharhabeel, Shureih Ibn Qaridh and their servant, Sawab.
Historians reported that Al-Hamzah killed Othman Ibn Abu Talhah. Assim Ibn Thabit shot by his arrows Musafi, and Al-Harith, two sons of Talhah, Al-Zubeir killed their brother Kilab, and Talhah Ibn Obeidullah killed their other brother Al-Jallas.
