Babul Jannah,
Jabal Uhud, Babul Jannat in its noble grandeur emanates such a glow and love from the north of Masjid Nabawi. As our Beloved Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, Jabal Uhud loves us and we love it. While the story of it shaking when he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam along with Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman RadhiAllahu anhum were standing on it becomes alive once the eyes of the heart feast on its radiance.
The foothills of this exalted mountain, the place where Allah Ta’ala willed the second major battle between the Muslims and their foes, the Quraish, in the third year after Hijrah, to be fought. And the honoured ground, closely guarded and caressed by Jabal Uhud, where Sayyidna Hamza, the Master of all Martyrs, the Lion of Allah and His Messenger rests, along with the other valiant Shuhahada RadhiAllahu anhum. When the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to return to this resting place he said: "Visit them, for by He in Whose Hand is my soul, none shall visit them till the day of Arising and greet them with Salam, without their greeting him back with Salam."
Much has been written explaining the events surrounding this epic test and the profound lessons the illustrious Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum were presented with, providing guidelines for the Ummah even today; be diligent in obeying and following the Sunnah of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and sacrifice for the sake of Allah Ta’ala and the Deen. From the gloom and despair of defeat, seeds of hope and faith arose which still blossom in the hearts today as we reflect on this time and soak in the energy beaming from this loved mountain.
Do not be weak, and do not be sad; you are the superior ones, if you are believers. (3:139)
Jabal Ramah, or the Archer’s Hill, previously called the Hill of ‘Aynayn (pink dot) is where Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam directed the fifty archers to protect the 650 defending Muslims against the 3,000 invaders. The blue dot indicates the current resting place of the Shuhadah RadhiAllahu anhum, the aerial photo revealing a clear picture of the relationship between the fenced graveyard, the small Archer’s Hill and the scope of the battle area.
Various Tafseer (from page 170-248) and narrations cover all the salient aspects of the battle, along with individual accounts of many of the heroic efforts of the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum. I highlight a few that touch my heart.
When the battle was in full rage the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam thought that he saw Mus’ab RadhiAllahu bearing the Muslim’s flag, and he called his name several times, but the person answered: "I am not Mus’ab". It was then that the Prophet knew that it was an Angel fighting in the place of Mus’ab, indicating that he had been killed or wounded.
Of the believers are men who are true to their covenant with Allah. Some of them have made good their vow by death, and some are waiting, and they waver not nor change. (33:23)
At one time the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam looked skyward to see Angels bathing Hanzalah RadhiAllahu anhu, who had immediately left his marriage bed for the battle field with out time for obligatory Ghusl, so the Angels performed it for him. Later after the battle when the Muslims were burying their dead, every person that came into contact with Hanzalah’s body dared not to touch him. He lay there as the Angels had laid him, with his hair still wet with water upon the noon-dry earth. His beauty and peace were as a sign from heaven, to inform the rest of them of the condition of their martyred kinsmen.SubhanAllah!
Abu Dujana RadhiAllahu anhu’s gallant presence, his red turban flying in harmony with the valiant swishing of the Prophet’s sword.
Usayrim RadhiAllahu, from the Aws tribe, only the day before the battle was berated for not being Muslim. When others gave him Da’wah, inviting him to Islam he would reply saying: "If I knew it to be true, all that you say, then I would not hesitate." He was found mortally wounded. When asked if he was there for Islam or for the care of the people he replied, "For Islam. Suddenly I believed in Allah and His Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and entered Islam. I took my sword and came out early this morning to be with the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, informed everybody that Usayrim was of the people of Jannah, and he became known as the man who entered Paradise without ever having prayed one of the five daily prayers! SubhanAllah!
Abdullah Ibn Jahsh RadhiAllahu anhu: Before heading to the battle, sat with his friend making wishes. His friend said, “I wish to meet a man tomorrow from the disbelievers, one that is very strong. I fight him, he fights me, and then I kill him”. Ibn Jahsh RadhiAllahu anhu said, “As for me, I wish to meet a man tomorrow from the disbelievers, one that is very strong. I fight him, he fights me, and then I kill him. And then I meet a man from the disbelievers, one that is very strong. I fight him, he fights me, and then he kills me, stabs me in the stomach, mutilates my nose, and cuts my ear. I will come to Allah Ta’ala in that form on the Day of Judgment and Allah Ta’ala will ask for its cause. I will say, for You Allah”. Abdullah Ibn Jahsh RadhiAllahu anhu was found stabbed in the stomach, his nose mutilated and his ear cut off. Near him was one of the disbelievers he killed. Such sincerity of intention resulted in Allah Ta’ala granting him RadhiAllahu anhu his wish.
Khaysamah RadhiAllahu anhu a pious old man, who so much wanted to fight at Badr, but having drawn lots with his son, who won, he remained in Madinah, while his son gained martyrdom. He requested Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam regarding his participation ay Uhud, "O Prophet of Allah! My beard has become grey and my bones have lost flesh. I request you to pray to Allah for my martyrdom in the path of truth. Last night every one was talking about the siege by Quraysh and I went to sleep with these thoughts in my mind. I saw my son in a dream. He was walking in the gardens of Paradise and was enjoying its fruits. He addressed me with great love and said "Dear father! I am waiting for you ". Khaysamah was granted this meeting, SubhanAllah!
‘Amr bin Jumuh RadhiAllahu anhu was lame, but determined to be Shaheed, which was granted to him by Allah Ta’ala, along with his son and his brother in law. When their bodies were put on a camel to be returned to Madinah, the camel would not budge unless it was heading back to Uhud. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam enquired of the Hind, the sister of ‘Amr Radhiallahu anhu, the one attempting to lead the camel, "What did your husband pray for when he was going to the battlefield?" She replied: "He said: "O Lord! Don’t make me return to my home". The Prophet said: "The reason for the camel’s refusal to go to Madinah has become clear. The prayer has been granted. Allah does not desire that this dead body should go back to Madinah. It is necessary that you should bury all the three dead bodies in this land of Uhud and you should know that these three persons will remain together in the other world also". Hind while tears were trickling from her eyes requested the Prophet to pray to Allah that she too might be with them.
After the battle some of the Sahabah, including Abu Bakr, Umar Ali and Talha RadhiAllahu anhum, carried the Prophet who was wounded towards Jabal Uhud. They stopped at what is now named, "The Bandage Place" (lime dot on the google image,) where they attended to the wounds of our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. At the time of cleansing his SallAllahu alaihi wasallam forehead of blood he said: "How can the people achieve salvation if they besmear the face of their Prophet with blood when he invites them to the worship of Allah".
Abu Ubaydah Jarrah RadhiAllahu pulled out two rings of the helmet which had penetrated into the face of the Prophet whereas Ali RadhiAllahu anhu the Commander of the Faithful filled his shield with water to enable the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam to wash his face. While washing his face, he SallAllahu alaihi wasallam uttered these words: "The wrath of Allah became severer on the people who besmeared the face of their Prophet with blood"
They then proceeded a few meters further to where they prayed Salatul Zuhr, now called Masjid Fash (yellow dot, above photo. Unfortunately the remains of this little Masjid has been reduced to rubble, the semi-circular niche discernable here) as this is where the following Ayat was revealed.
You who believe, if you are told to make room for one another in your assemblies, then do so, and Allah will make room for you, and if you are told to rise up, then do so; Allah will raise you up by many degrees, those of you who believe and those of you have been given knowledge. ( Al-Mujadala 58:11)
Moving further up the mountain they came to the cave (green dot) where protection was provided by Allah Ta’ala. Some say that the slit originally was too narrow, but Allah Ta’ala commanded the rocks to open wider, and Allah Ta’ala the Almighty knows best. There is also another rock, which has subsequently been concreted over, where we have heard that Rasulullah leant against, whereupon it softened to receive his weary back. Apparently it has been cemented over to prevent "bid’ah", with rumours that certain ones in authority want to do to the cave. May Allah Ta’ala protect and guide us all.
The final step up to the cave is quite high, so Talha RadhiAllahu anhu bent over so that Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasllam could use his back as a step! The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam told him to the effect that he saw him in Jannah due to this gesture!
TO BE CONTINUED, INSHA’ALLAH TOMORROW.
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.
