Stories of Martyrs’ Sincerity
Hazrat Zayd bin Thabit says that the Prophet (PBUH) sent him to look for S’ad Al-Rabi’ and instructed him that if he found S’ad, he should convey the Prophet’s greetings to him and ask in which state he found himself. Zayd says that he found S’ad lying injured on the ground. He was about to breathe his last. Zayd conveyed the Prophet’s greetings to him and asked him from the side of the Prophet (PBUH) in which state he found himself. S’ad replied, “Tell the Prophet (PBUH) that I am smelling paradise. Also tell my people, the Ansar, that if the enemy approaches the Prophet (PBUH) while even an eye among them twinkles with life, they would not be able to defend themselves in front of Allah.” Saying these words he departed from this world. (Mustadrak Haakim, 3: 221, Kitab M’arifatus Sahaba, Zikr Manaqib S’ad bin Rabi’.)
Among the injured was ‘Amr bin Thabit. He was from the Bani ‘Abdul Ash-hal and was known as Osayram. He always rejected Islam, but on the day of the Battle of Uhud he felt a strong urge in his heart to accept it. The Prophet (PBUH) and his Companions had already proceeded to Uhud. He professed Islam, took a sword in his hand, and joined the battle. None happened to know about his conversion. When Bani ‘Abdul Ash-hal went to the battlefield to collect the dead bodies of their men, they found Osayram lying injured in the battlefield. He was in a critical condition. Recognizing him, they wondered why he was there as he had been rejecting Islam so far. They asked him if he had joined the battle in the love of his tribesmen or in the love of Islam. He replied that he had accepted Islam and had participated with the Prophet (PBUH) in Jihad and was in his present condition for Islam. Saying this he breathed his last. When the Companions informed the Prophet (PBUH) about it, he commented, “He is a resident of paradise.” Hazrat Abu Hurayra says that Osayram did not offer any Salah as he was martyred soon after professing Islam. (Mustadrak Haakim, 3: 30, Musnad Ahmad, 5: 428.)
Among these martyrs was Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr, the father of Hazrat Jabir. Before the Battle of Uhud, he had a dream in which he saw Hazrat Mubashshir bin ‘Abdul Munzir, who was martyred in Badr. Mabashshir told ‘Abdullah that he was soon to join him. When ‘Abdullah asked him where he was, he replied, “In paradise. Here we stroll around freely.” ‘Abdullah inquired of him, “Were you not martyred in the Battle of Badr?” Mubashshir replied, “Yes, but I was brought to life again.” Hazrat ‘Abdullah says that he mentioned his dream to the Prophet (pbuh) upon which he commented, “It foretells your martyrdom.” ( Mustadrak Haakim, 3: 225. ) Hazrat Jabir reports that when his father’s dead body was brought to the Prophet (pbuh), he tried to uncover the face of his father, but people forbade him from doing so as his father’s dead body was mutilated by the disbelievers. The Prophet (pbuh) said, “The angels have been continuously providing shade over the dead body.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitabul Maghazi, Bab min Qatl minal Muslimeen.)
Hazrat Khaythama was also a martyr in the Battle of Uhud. His son had laid his life in the Battle of Badr. He submitted to the Prophet (PBUH) on the occasion of the Battle of Uhud that in spite of his eagerness he had not been able to participate in the Battle of Badr as the name of his son had come out in the lot and he was blessed with martyrdom. He added that he had a dream the previous night in which he saw his son in the best appearance walking happily in the midst of a fruit orchard beside lakes. His son invited him to join him and live with him and said, “Whatever promises my Lord had made to me, I found them true.” Khaythama told the Prophet, “By God, O Prophet of Allah! I am so eager now to join my son in paradise. I am quite old and fragile now. Now I sincerely desire to meet my Lord. Please pray for me that I am blessed with paradise.” The Prophet (PBUH) prayed for him. He laid his life in the Battle of Uhud. (Zadul Ma’ad, 3: 208.)
‘Abdur Rahman bin Jahash was yet another fortunate person to receive martyrdom in the Battle of Uhud. Before the battle, his supplication was: “O Allah! I ask of You on oath that tomorrow when I face the enemies, they slay me and then cut my stomach open and chop off my nose and ears. Then You ask me why my body was dismembered this way, upon which I reply, “For Your sake, O Lord!” (Asadulghaba, 3: 1, Zadul Ma’ad, 3: 208.) ‘Amr bin Al-Jamooh was also one of the martyrs of Uhud. He was lame and could not walk freely. He had four young sons who always accompanied the Prophet (PBUH) in Jihad. On the occasion of Uhud he also wished to join. His sons reminded him that he was excused from the responsibility of participating in Jihad due to his physical disability and should stay at home. He complained about the situation to the Prophet (PBUH) and said, “O Prophet of Allah! My sons dissuade me from participating in Jihad, but I wish that I am blessed with martyrdom and walk in paradise with my lame foot.” The Prophet (PBUH) consoled him by saying that Allah had excused him from participating in Jihad, but he (PBUH) told his sons at the same time to let him join the Muslim army: “Let him go. What is the harm? Maybe, Allah grants him martyrdom.” (Mustadrak Haakim, 3: 226, Seerat Ibn Hisham, 2: 90.)
Mus’ab bin ‘Umayr was also martyred in the battle. He used to wear a dress worth not less than 200 rupees before accepting Islam, but when he died, he had only a blanket with which he covered his body. That blanket was so small that when it was pulled up to cover his head at the time of his burial, his feet remained uncovered, and when his feet were covered with it, his head remained bare. The Prophet (PBUH) instructed the Companions to cover his head with the blanket and put some grass over his feet. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitabul Maghazi, Bab Ghazwaae Uhud.
In this very battle, the Prophet’s uncle Hazrat Hamza was also slain. The enemies dismembered his body in the rage of revenge. Hind, Abu Sufyan’s wife, made a garland of the chopped limbs of his body and wore it in her neck. Driven by the spirit of revengefulness, she opened the chest of Hazrat Hamza, took out the liver and tried to chew it and swallow, but she could not do so and threw it out ( Seerat Ibn Katheer, 3: 74, Ibn Hisham, 2: 91.) Hearing the news of the defeat, Hazrat Safiya, sister of Hazrat Hamza, came from Madinah. The Prophet (PBUH) instructed her son Hazrat Zubayr to forbid her from seeing the dead body of Hazrat Hamza, as it was badly mutilated. When Zubayr conveyed the Prophet’s message to her, she said, “I have heard what has been done to my brother’s dead body. This is, however, not a big sacrifice in the path of Allah.” With the Prophet’s permission, she went close to her brother’s dead body and took a look at his dismembered limbs scattered around. Although deeply moved from inside, she recited, (We come from Allah and to Him we return) and prayed for his forgiveness. (Mustadrak Haakim, 3: 318, Tareekhe Tabri, 3: 72.)
Muslim Women’s Participation in the Battle
Many Muslim women also participated in the Battle of Uhud. Hazrat Aisha and Hazrat Sulaym®, mother of Hazrat Anas®, served the soldiers in the battle as water porters. It is related in Saheeh Al-Bukhari on the authority of Hazrat Anas® that he saw Hazrat Aisha and Umme Sulaym that they had pulled their pajamas a little up to be able to walk freely and were bringing water in the Mushk (leather water container) to the injured in the battle to drink. When the Mushk became empty, they returned to fill it up again. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitabul Maghazi, Bab Ghazwaae Uhud.) It is related in a narration that Umme Sulayt, mother of Hazrat Abu Sa’eed Khudri, also rendered this service. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitabul Maghazi, Bab Zikr Umme Sulayt.)
In the Battle of Uhud a lady from Ansar lost her father, brother, and husband. She received information about the martyrdom of her dearest ones one after another, but every time she restlessly inquired, “How is the Prophet (PBUH)?” People informed her that he (PBUH) was safe. Seeing him safe personally, she said these memorable words:
“All afflictions are bearable if you are safe.” (Seerat ibn Hishaam, 2: 99, Sirah Ibn Katheer, 3: 93, Tabri, 3: 74 Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitabul Maghazi, Bab min Qatl minal Muslimeen Yawma Uhud.)
Seventy Muslims lost their lives in the battle, most of whom were Ansar. But the indigence of Muslims was so serious that they could not bury their dead in proper burial shroud. The martyrs were buried in twos in their bloodstained dress. Those who had learned the Qur`an more were given preference. Eight years after this battle (one or two years before his death), the Prophet (PBUH) was once passing by the graveyard of the martyrs of Uhud. With tearful eyes, he said such sad words addressing to the dead there as a living person would say to the dead at the time of bidding them farewelll. He then turned to his Companions and gave a sermon to them: “O Muslims! I do not fear that you will adopt polytheism again. But I do have a fear that you may be entrapped by the (charms of) the world.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitabul Maghazi.)
Military Dispatch (Sariya) of Hamra` Al-Asad
Although the injured and exhausted Muslims needed rest after the battle of Uhud, they faced a genuine apprehension that, encouraged by the initial defeat of the Muslims, Abu Sufyan might return to deal a decisive blow to them. The Prophet (PBUH), therefore, asked the Muslims, “Who is ready to go after the enemies?” Immediately seventy Companions, including Hazrat Abu Bakr and Hazrat Zubayr, got ready for the expedition. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitabul Maghazi.)
When Abu Sufyan returned from Uhud and reached Rowha, he also felt that the mission of his expedition had remained incomplete and, so he wanted to return and launch a second and final attack on Muslims. The Prophet (PBUH) had realized it beforehand. Next day he made an announcement that none of his Companions should return home. With them he went in pursuit of Abu Sufyan up to Hamra` Al-Asad, a place some eight miles from Madinah. The Khuza’a tribe had not entered into Islam yet but was secretly an ally of Muslims. Its chief Ma’bad Khuza’i came to meet the Prophet (PBUH) and at his behest went to Abu Sufyan. Abu Sufyan shared with him his plan to launch a fresh attack on Muslims. Ma’bad told him that the Prophet (PBUH) was advancing with such preparations and might that it was impossible to face him. This disheartened Abu Sufyan and he returned to Makkah. (Musnad Ahmad, 2: 84, Ibn Hisham, 2: 100-04.)
When the Prophet (PBUH) returned to Madinah, the city was under the grip of grief at the loss of those who had died in the battle. Wherever he passed through, he heard the bewailing relatives mourning the death of their dear ones. He felt that the people of Madinah were mourning for their dead, but that there was none to mourn the death of Hazrat Hamza. In grief, he uttered words to this effect.
“But that there was none to mourn the death of Hazrat Hamza.” Hearing his words, the Ansar became very sad and asked their women to go to the house of the Prophet (PBUH) and mourn the death of Hazrat Hamza. Soon the Prophet (PBUH) found the women of the Ansar assembled at his door who were mourning loudly for Hazrat Hamza®. The Prophet (pbuh) thanked the ladies for sharing his sorrow, but added, “It is not lawful to mourn aloud over the dead.” ( Mustadrak Haakim, 3: 215. Ibn Hisham, 2: 99.) ‘Azl, Qara and Bi`r Manu’a Encounters and Fearlessness of Hazrat Khubayb
After the Battle of Uhud, the enemies of Islam tried to hurt Muslims in new ways. Thus, in the fourth Hijri, the Quraysh persuaded seven persons from the tribes of ‘Azl and Qara to go to Madinah and request the Prophet (PBUH) to send his Companions who could teach them Islam, on the pretext that their tribesmen were ready to accept Islam. (Tabaqat Ibn S’ad, 2: 50) The Prophet (PBUH) sent ten pious Companions with them under the leadership of ‘Aasim bin Thabit. When they reached the area of these tribes, 200-armed men proceeded to arrest them. Their archers surrounded them and asked them to surrender, promising protection of life, if they complied. Hazrat ‘Aasim turned down the offer and said, “We do not wish to avail ourselves of the protection of the disbelievers.” Saying this, he prayed to Allah, “O Allah! Inform Your Prophet (PBUH) about our situation.” He, alongwith seven of his associates, fought valiantly and all of them received martyrdom. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitabul Maghazi, Bab Ghazwatur Rajee’)The Quraysh sent some persons to chop off a portion of ‘Aasim’s body and bring it to them so as to make his dead body unrecognizable. The Divine Will did not allow these persons to do this dishonor to him. The honeybees covered his dead body and the Quraysh found it impossible to go near him. They, therefore, returned unsuccessful. ( Seerat Ibn Hisham 2: 171.)
But two Muslims from the group, Khubayb and Zayd, trusted the promise of the disbelievers and surrendered. Sufyan Hazli took them to Makkah and sold them to the Quraysh. The Quraysh kept them confined in the house of Harith bin ‘Aamir without food and water. One day by chance the little son of Harith came close to Khubayb. Khubayb picked up the child and endearingly placed him on his thigh. At that time he had a razor in his hand. When the mother of the child saw the child in the control of their captive, who held a razor in his hand and whom they had abused in all possible ways and denied food and water for several days, she shrieked in alarm and distress. Hazrat Khubayb understood the cause of the mother’s concern and commented, “She thinks that I will hurt the child. She does not know that Muslims are not permitted to cause terror by doing a mischief like this.” Gently, he let the child go.
After a few days the captors took Hazrat Khubayb to a cross and, placing him under it, they said, “If you renounce Islam, your life will be spared.” Both Companions replied patiently, “If there is no Islam, what will be the use of life?” The Quraysh then asked Khubayb what his last wish was. He told them that he wanted to offer two Rak’ats of Salah. When permission was given, he offered Salah and said at its end, “I would have taken some more time in offering Salah, but I was afraid that you would accuse me of buying time for fear of death.” The disbelievers hanged him on the cross and the lancers were instructed to pierce his body with lance. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitabul Maghazi. )Allahu Akbar (Allah is greatest)! What a level of steadfastness! What a conviction in the value of the everlasting deliverance! And what an eagerness to earn Allah’s pleasure! He bore the pain of such injuries, but did not utter a word to complain against the situation. A hardhearted disbeliever pierced Khubayb’s heart with his lance and asked him, “Don’t you wish now that Muhammad (PBUH) were here in your place while you were released?” Khubayb replied confidently, “I wouldn’t like to win my release even on the condition that a thorn pricked the foot of the Prophet.” (Zadul Ma’ad, 3: 245.)
This brave person has said some verses extempore standing under the cross, which is fully reflective of his sincerity and love of Islam. They may be translated as follows:
“People have assembled around me in multitude and have called large groups to witness the event. They are out to give a vent to their grudge against me, and are so eager to show revengefulness against me. I am tied in this place of destruction. The tribes have gathered their women and children and have brought me close to a tall and strong wooden pole. They have told me that I can win freedom by returning to unbelief. But compared to life of unbelief, dying in Islam is so much easier. My eyes are continuously shedding tears, but my heart knows no impatience. I shall not humiliate myself before my enemies, nor shall I bewail of my condition. I know I am returning to Allah. I am not afraid that death will terminate my life. I, in fact, fear the Engulfing Fire that would burn the blood of (its victim) to the last drop. The Master of the Grand Throne (Arsh) has decided to take a service from me and have commanded me to remain patient. Now they have minced my flesh by piercing my body (with their lances), and I have lost all hope. I submit my complaint to Allah for my miserable condition, homelessness, and helplessness, and against what my enemies intend (to do with me after my death). By Allah! When I am laying my life for Islam, I don’t mind to which side of my body I fall and how I breathe my last. I have all hope that Allah, by His kindness, would bless every part of my severed limbs.” ( Zadul Ma’ad, 3: 245, Ibn Hisham, 2: 176.) At the end, he supplicated to his Lord:
“O Allah! We have conveyed the message of Your Prophet (PBUH) to these people. Now, inform the Prophet (PBUH) about our condition and their misdeeds.” (Ibn Hisham, 2: 173.)
Sa’eed bin ‘Aamir (one of the officials of Hazrat ‘Umar) sometimes fainted for no obvious reason. When Hazrat ‘Umar once inquired of him the cause of his ailment, he replied, “I have no ailment, nor a complaint of any other kind. When Khubayb was hanged on the cross, I was present on the scene. When I remember his words, I shiver and lose consciousness.” (Seerat Ibn Hisham, 2: 173.)
Abu Bara` ‘Aamir played the same deceitful tactic against the Muslims. He came to the Prophet (pbuh) and requested him to send some preachers with him to teach Islam to the people of Najd. His nephew was the chief of Najd and so ‘Aamir assured the Prophet (pbuh) that full protection would be provided to the Muslims there. The Prophet (PBUH) sent seventy preachers, who were distinguished in learning and piety, under the leadership of Munzir bin ‘Amr Ansari. When they reached near the Ma’una Well, which fell in the jurisdiction of the Bani ‘Aamir tribe, they sent Haraam bin Malhaan to Tufayl Haakim with the letter of the Prophet (PBUH). Tufayl put the messenger to death. Jabbar bin Salma was the person who hit him in the back with his spear which passed through his chest. Haraam fell with these words on his lips,
“By the Lord of the K’aba, I met with success.”
The assassin was so impressed by these words that he later went to the Prophet (PBUH) and embraced Islam. Haakim got all other Muslims killed. Ka’ab bin Zayd, who survived by feigning as dead, later informed the Prophet (PBUH) of the incident. (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitabul Maghazi, Bab Ghazwa Al-Rajee’, Ibn Hisham, 2: 184.)
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