The Polytheists Retreat
When Qazman became severely wounded while fighting, he was carried to the neighborhood of Banu Zafar. There, people began praising him. Upon this, he said:
«“What good news are you giving me? By Allah, I fought only for the honor and pride of my people. If it had not been for the matter of my tribe, I would never have fought.”»
The meaning of his words was that he had not fought to raise the word of Allah and His Messenger ﷺ.
Then the pain from his wounds became unbearable. He took his sword and ended his own life.
Seeing him die in this manner, a man hurried to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said:
«“I testify that you are the Messenger of Allah.”»
The Prophet ﷺ asked:
«“What happened?”»
He replied:
«“The man about whom you said that he was destined for Hell has taken his own life.”»
Thus, the Prophet’s ﷺ prediction regarding Qazman proved true.
In complete contrast to this, another incident occurred. A man from Banu ‘Abd al-Ashhal, named Usayrim, used to prevent his people from accepting Islam.
On the day the Noble Prophet ﷺ left Madinah for the Battle of Uhud, this man came to Madinah and asked about the people of his tribe, wanting to know where they were.
Banu ‘Abd al-Ashhal had already departed with the Messenger of Allah ﷺ for the Battle of Uhud.
When he learned this, he suddenly developed a desire to accept Islam. He put on his armor, took his weapons, and reached the battlefield.
He then joined one of the Muslim ranks and began fighting the disbelievers until he was severely wounded.
After the battle, the people of Banu ‘Abd al-Ashhal were searching for their fallen men when they noticed Usayrim.
They recognized him.
Seeing him lying on the battlefield, covered with wounds, the people of his tribe were extremely surprised. They asked:
«“How did you come here? Did you come because of your tribal spirit, or did you develop a desire for Islam?”»
Usayrim replied:
«“I came because I had developed a desire for Islam. First I believed in Allah and His Messenger, and then I came to the battlefield and fought, until I reached this condition.”»
Hazrat Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه used to say about him:
«“Tell me the name of a person who never performed even a single prayer, yet entered Paradise.”»
His reference was to Hazrat Usayrim رضي الله عنه.
In this battle, Hazrat Hanzalah رضي الله عنه was martyred.
He had been married one day before the Battle of Uhud. The very next morning, the announcement for the Battle of Uhud was made.
He joined the army without having performed the ritual bath and fought in that condition until he was martyred.
The Noble Prophet ﷺ said about him:
«“Your companion Hanzalah is being bathed by the angels.”»
For this reason, Hazrat Hanzalah رضي الله عنه became known as Ghasil al-Mala’ikah, meaning “the one whom the angels bathed.”
During the Battle of Uhud, a polytheist warrior named Ibn ‘Awf came forward from his ranks and challenged the Muslims to single combat.
A Companion came forward and struck Ibn ‘Awf with his sword, saying:
«“Take this blow! I am a Persian slave.”»
The armor of Ibn ‘Awf was cut at the shoulder, and the sword struck his shoulder.
The Prophet ﷺ heard the Companion’s words and said:
«“Why did you not say, ‘Take this blow! I am an Ansari slave’?”»
Then Ibn ‘Awf’s brother came forward.
The same Companion struck him as well and killed him, saying:
«“Take this blow! I am an Ansari slave.”»
Upon this, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ smiled and said:
«“You have said it well.”»
In the same battle, Hazrat ‘Amr ibn al-Jamuh رضي الله عنه was also martyred.
He was lame and had four sons.
When he prepared to leave for the battle, all four of his sons said to him:
«“We are going. You should not go.”»
Hazrat ‘Amr ibn al-Jamuh رضي الله عنه then came to the Noble Prophet ﷺ and said:
«“O Messenger of Allah! My sons are preventing me from going to battle. But, by Allah, I wish to enter Paradise with my lameness.”»
The Prophet ﷺ said:
«“You are excused, and therefore Jihad is not obligatory upon you.”»
On the other hand, the Prophet ﷺ said to his sons:
«“You should not prevent your father from going to Jihad. It may be that Allah grants him martyrdom.”»
As soon as he heard this, Hazrat ‘Amr ibn al-Jamuh رضي الله عنه took up his weapons and set out.
He supplicated:
«“O Allah! Grant me the blessing of martyrdom and save me from the disgrace of returning alive to my family.”»
Thus, he was martyred in this very battle.
The Noble Prophet ﷺ said about him:
«“By the One in Whose hand is my life, among you there are people who, if they swear an oath concerning something, Allah Almighty fulfills their oath. ‘Amr ibn al-Jamuh is one of them. I have seen him walking in Paradise with his same lameness.”»
In this same battle, one of his sons, Khallad رضي الله عنه, was also martyred, and his brother-in-law ‘Abdullah رضي الله عنه was also martyred. He was the father of Hazrat Jabir رضي الله عنه.
The wife of Hazrat ‘Amr ibn al-Jamuh رضي الله عنه was Hind bint Hizam.
After the battle, she placed the bodies of her husband, her son, and her brother on a camel and began traveling toward Madinah so that they could be buried there.
However, the camel refused to go forward and sat down.
Whenever it was turned toward the battlefield of Uhud, it began to walk. But whenever it was turned toward Madinah, it sat down again.
Finally, Hazrat Hind رضي الله عنها went to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and told him what had happened.
Upon hearing this, the Prophet ﷺ said:
«“This camel has been commanded.”»
That is, Allah Almighty had commanded it not to go to Madinah.
«“Therefore, bury all three of them here.”»
There is also a narration that the Prophet ﷺ asked:
«“Did ‘Amr ibn al-Jamuh say anything when he set out?”»
He was told that he had supplicated:
«“O Allah! Save me from the disgrace of returning alive.”»
Upon hearing this, the Prophet ﷺ said that the camel would not go to Madinah.
Accordingly, all three were buried there in the battlefield of Uhud.
The women who had accompanied the polytheists mutilated some of the Muslims who had been martyred. They also did this to the uncle of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Hazrat Hamzah رضي الله عنه.
Hind, the wife of Abu Sufyan, who had not yet accepted Islam at that time, also committed this act against him.
After mutilating the bodies, the polytheists returned.
The Muslims did not try to stop them because everyone was in an extremely weakened condition.
However, at that time, the Noble Prophet ﷺ said to Hazrat ‘Ali رضي الله عنه:
«“Follow the enemy and see what they are doing and what they intend to do.»
«“If they are riding camels and leading the horses, then understand that they are going toward Makkah.»
«“But if they are riding horses and leading the camels, then understand that they are going toward Madinah.»
«“By the One in Whose hand is my life, if they turn toward Madinah, I will reach Madinah at any cost and confront them.”»
Hazrat ‘Ali رضي الله عنه went after them.
Eventually, it became clear that the polytheists had decided to return to Makkah.
Once this concern was settled, the Muslims became concerned about their fallen companions.
The Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
«“Let someone find out the condition of Sa‘d ibn al-Rabi‘. I had seen swords flashing over him.”»
Some Companions رضي الله عنهم went to find out his condition.
At that time, the Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
«“If you find Sa‘d ibn al-Rabi‘ alive, convey my Salam to him and tell him that the Messenger of Allah is asking about his condition.”»
Finally, an Ansari Muslim found Hazrat Sa‘d ibn al-Rabi‘ رضي الله عنه.
He was covered with wounds, but he was still alive.