Preparations for the Battle of Uhud

The opinion of the Prophet ﷺ was that instead of going outside the city to attack Quraysh, they should remain inside the city and defend themselves.

Accordingly, the Prophet ﷺ said:

“If you think it is appropriate, then confront them while remaining in Madinah.

“Leave these people where they are.

“If they remain there, that place will prove to be the worst for them.

“And if they enter the city and attack us, then we will fight them inside the city, and we know the streets and passages of the city better than they do.”

The opinion expressed by the Prophet ﷺ was also the opinion of all the senior Companions رضي الله عنهم.

The leader of the hypocrites, ‘Abdullah ibn Ubayy, also gave the same advice.

Outwardly, this man was a Muslim and was the leader of his people.

On the other hand, some enthusiastic young Companions and some mature Companions wanted to leave the city and confront the enemy outside.

Most of those giving this advice were people who had not been able to participate in the Battle of Badr, and they greatly regretted missing it.

They wanted to fulfill the longing in their hearts.

Therefore, they said:

“Take us with you and go out to confront the enemy, so that they do not consider us weak and cowardly.

“Otherwise, their courage will increase greatly.

“We cannot even imagine them pushing us back and entering our homes.

“And O Messenger of Allah! Whoever has entered our territory has always returned after being defeated by us.

“Now you are present among us.

“How can the enemy overcome us now?”

Hazrat Hamzah رضي الله عنه also supported their opinion.

Finally, the Prophet ﷺ accepted their suggestion.

The Prophet ﷺ then led the Friday prayer and delivered a sermon before the people.

He instructed them:

“O Muslims! Fight with complete dedication and courage.

“If you remain patient, Allah Almighty will grant you victory and success.

“Now prepare to go and fight the enemy.”

The people became happy upon hearing this command.

After this, the Prophet ﷺ offered the ‘Asr prayer with everyone.

By then, people had also arrived from the surrounding areas.

Then the Prophet ﷺ went inside his house with Hazrat Abu Bakr al-Siddiq and Hazrat ‘Umar رضي الله عنهما.

Both of them tied a turban on the Prophet’s ﷺ head and dressed him in battle attire.

Outside, the people were waiting for the Prophet ﷺ and were standing in rows.

At that time, Hazrat Sa‘d ibn Mu‘adh and Hazrat Usayd ibn Hudayr رضي الله عنهما said to the Muslims:

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ wanted to fight while remaining inside the city, but you compelled him to go outside and fight.

“It would be better if you now leave this matter to him.

“Whatever command the Prophet ﷺ gives and whatever opinion he has, there will be goodness in it.

“Therefore, obey the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.”

While this conversation was taking place outside, the Prophet ﷺ came out.

He was wearing battle clothing and had put on two coats of armor.

These armors were called Dhat al-Fudul and Fiddah.

They had come to the Prophet ﷺ as spoils from Banu Qaynuqa‘.

Among them, Dhat al-Fudul was the armor that, at the time of the Prophet’s ﷺ passing, had been pledged as security with a Jewish man.

Hazrat Abu Bakr al-Siddiq رضي الله عنه paid the Jewish man’s money and took the armor back.

The Prophet ﷺ was wearing the armors over his clothing.

At that moment, the young Companions said:

“O Messenger of Allah! Our intention was not to oppose your opinion or to compel you.

“Therefore, do whatever you consider appropriate.”

The Prophet ﷺ replied:

“Now I have put on my armor.

“And it is not permissible for a prophet, after putting on his armor, to take it off until Allah Almighty decides between him and his enemies.”

On this occasion, the Prophet ﷺ prepared three flags.

One flag was for the tribe of Aws.

It was in the hands of Hazrat Usayd ibn Hudayr رضي الله عنه.

The second flag was for the Muhajirun.

It was in the hands of Hazrat ‘Ali رضي الله عنه or Hazrat Mus‘ab ibn ‘Umayr رضي الله عنه.

The third flag was for the tribe of Khazraj.

It was in the hands of Hubab ibn al-Mundhir رضي الله عنه or Hazrat Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubadah رضي الله عنه.

In this way, the Noble Prophet ﷺ set out with an army of one thousand men.

Walking ahead of the Prophet ﷺ in the army were Sa‘d ibn Mu‘adh and Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubadah رضي الله عنهما.

Both of them were leaders of the tribes of Aws and Khazraj.

The Prophet ﷺ appointed a blind Companion, Hazrat ‘Abdullah ibn Umm Maktum رضي الله عنه, as his deputy in Madinah.

After leaving Madinah, the Prophet ﷺ reached a place called Thaniyyah.

From there, he proceeded and reached the place known as Shaykhayn.

Shaykhayn was the name of two mountains.

Here, the Prophet ﷺ inspected the army and sent back the young boys.

These were young men who had not yet reached the age of fifteen.

Among these young Mujahidin were Rafi‘ ibn Khadij and Samurah ibn Jundub رضي الله عنهما.

However, the Prophet ﷺ later permitted Hazrat Rafi‘ رضي الله عنه to participate in the battle.

Seeing this, Hazrat Samurah ibn Jundub رضي الله عنه said:

“You have permitted Rafi‘ to participate, while you have ordered me to return, even though I am stronger than Rafi‘.”

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Very well, then let the two of you wrestle.”

A wrestling match took place between the two.

Samurah ibn Jundub رضي الله عنه defeated Rafi‘ ibn Khadij رضي الله عنه.

Thus, he too was permitted to participate in the battle.

When the Prophet ﷺ finished inspecting the army, the sun had set.

Hazrat al-Zubayr رضي الله عنه gave the Adhan.

The Prophet ﷺ led the prayer.

Then the ‘Isha prayer was offered.

After the prayer, the Prophet ﷺ lay down to rest.

For guarding the army during the night, the Prophet ﷺ appointed fifty Mujahidin.

He appointed Hazrat Muhammad ibn Maslamah رضي الله عنه as their commander.

They guarded the Islamic army throughout the entire night.

During the last part of the night, the Prophet ﷺ departed from Shaykhayn and, at the time of the Fajr prayer, reached the vicinity of Mount Uhud.