ALMISKEENAH

 

Before continuing on this "virtual tour" at the foothills of Jabal Uhud, I make a slight diversion. When we consider the estimated age of the earth compared to that of man, the time man has inhabited the planet is such a tiny fraction. Man is represented by the thin sliver of red in the chart below. (Printing this for those who are interested in this fascinating time frame gives a clear A4 chart) We can then deepen our study searching the various Eons, discovering that land was possibly formed during the Archean Era, and Allah the Almighty knows best.

 

Allah Ta’ala in His Wisdom and His Planning and His Greatness, created three caves of profound significant to our glorious history. Ghar Hirra in Jabal Nur where our Noble Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam received the first revelation from Jibreel Alaihis Salaam, Ghar Thowr, where the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu hid when fleeing Makkah and Ghar Uhud. It is as if these three caves have been fashioned for the specific purpose they each had. Ghar Hirra secluded and high in the mountain providing a small area suitable for long solitary meditative times for the Prophet, Ghar Thowr also remote, with a slightly larger internal area, room enough for two, with a very confined entrance for extra protection. While Ghar Uhud is has a narrow entrance, but the interior is tall and long accommodating four or five. Words cannot convey the humility that floods the heart when contemplating how Allah Ta’ala made these features billions of years before He created man, and thousands of years before He sent the Last and Final of His Prophets SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. His planning and preparations remain as signs for us to ponder and be in constant acknowledgement of His Greatness, His Supremacy, His Omnipotence His Omniscience, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar!

To the left as you enter Allah Ta’ala had prepared a natural rock "bed", SubhanAllah! A ledge wide enough for the body to lie down at a height where one sits comfortably from a standing position. The most amazing feature is that this long narrow cave exactly faces Qibla when the top of the head is towards the entrance. So as Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam lie in this protected space he was facing His Masjid and hence Qibla. The photo below is taken from inside the cave. On a clear day the minarets of Masjid Nabawi are clearly visible. To the bottom right of this photo is where our Beloved Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam would have rested his noble head. The fragrance, along with the awe of lying here bursts the heart, intoxicates the mind, releasing floods of blissful tears.

 

The other wonders of this retreat during such a critical time at the end of the arduous battle is that just before the final high step into the cave there is a natural flat area which is protected by a slightly higher protruding pedestal shaped rock jutting up almost like a platform,
seen to the left in the photo below. The stone wall has obviously been added, making a barrier on the edge of the flat section.

 

It was there that Umar RadhiAllahu anhu (and Allah the Almighty knows best) reportedly stood guard while the following happened.

After the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum had carried Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam to the cave, ensuring his comfort and safety, Abu Sufyan, the leader of the Quraish army came to just below the cave shouting up at them. He was determined to continue to spread his hatred for the Muslims. He yelled: "We have our idols Lat and Uzza whereas you do not have the likes of these". The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam from inside the cave asked the companions, “Will you not answer him?” They questioned, “And how do we answer Oh Prophet of Allah?” “Say Allah Ta’ala is the Greatest and Ever-Lasting.” They all shouted together from the mountain, with Umar RadhiAllahu anhu standing firm on that platform, “Allah Ta’ala is the Greatest and Ever-Lasting!”  Finally, Abu-Sufyan said, “Today will not be like Badr”.  Guided again by the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum said, “There is no similarity. Our dead are in Paradise and yours are in the Hellfire!” Abu Sufyan turned and left.

I include the following photos of Jabal Ramah, the Archer’s hill. Scholars explain that at the time of the battle it was much higher than what we see it these days, which is understandable with the passage of time. But also at one stage it supported a miniature city built across the length and breadth of it, as seen by the images. There still remains evidence of this on certain parts of the hill today.

 

 

Below is how the Masjid over the resting place of Hamza RadhiAllahu anhu was more than one hundred years ago. But like many previous structures relating to our past it has been demolished.

 

Alhumdulillah, the superiority of martyrs and what Allah Ta’ala has prepared for them can never be demolished.

The Prophet SallAllahu aaihi wasallam said, "When your brothers were killed at Uhud, Allah Ta’ala placed their souls in the insides of green birds; they drink from the rivers of Paradise, and they eat from its fruits. Then they retire to lamps (which for them are like the nests of birds) of gold that are in the shade of the Throne. When they found the wholesomeness of their drink and food and the goodness of their place of sleep, they said, ‘Would that our brothers knew what Allah Ta’ala has done with us, so that they do not forsake jihad, and so that do not recoil from war.’ Allah, the Possessor of Might and Majesty said, ‘I will convey that to them for you,’" after which Allah, the Possessor of Might and Majesty, revealed these verses to His Messenger:

Think not of those who are killed in the Way of Allah as dead. Nay, they are alive, with their Lord, and they have provision. They rejoice in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His Bounty, rejoicing for the sake of those who have not yet joined them, but are left behind (not yet martyred) that on them no fear shall come, nor shall they grieve. They rejoice in a Grace and a Bounty from Allah, and that Allah will not waste the reward of the believers. (3:169-171)

And Allah Almighty knows best.
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen.