The battle of Uhud took place the third year after Hijra.  The Muslims in Madinah were fighting against the idol worshippers of Mekka.  After the battle of Bedr the idol worshippers were angry because some of their people died and they wanted revenge.  A monk named Abu Amer joined the Mekkans at the battle of Bedr and instigated them to attack Islam. 

The idolater’s army consisted of three thousand men, two hundred horses, three thousand camels, and fifteen howdas, compared to the Muslims army, which only consisted of three hundred men.  Abbas B. Abdul Muttaleb hired a man to deliver a letter to Hazrat Mustafa (ra) conveying the intention of the idolaters and information about their army.  He then took it to Rasoolullah (saws).  So the Muslims prepared for the army. 

Both parties arrived at the battle place on Friday evening.  Rasolullah (saws) arranged the line of the army which stood so that it had Madinah in it’s front, the mountain of Uhud in its rear, and the pass of Aynah in its left. 
When both armies stood opposite, Abu Amer the idolater stepped foot in the plain.  Then fifty of his friends started to pour arrows upon the professors of Islam.  The wives of the idolaters advanced to the front beating their drums and mentioning the names of those who were killed at the battle of Bedr.  This encouraged the men to fight.  Tolhah who was the standard-bearer of the infidels placed foot into the plain of challenge and shouted for a champion.  H. Ali (cr), the lion of the battlefield could find no rest in the firmament.  He then sallied towards him like a vernal torrent precipitating its self from a mountain into a valley and struck down Tolhah with one blow on the head.  Rasoolullah (saws) rejoiced at the death of Tolhah.  He then shouted Takbir and the Muslims did the same making successive onslaughts upon the idolaters and breaking the ranks of the enemy.  The Muslims continued to fight strongly.  The image worshippers began to flee, and the noble companions (ra) were engaged in collecting booty.  The friends of Abdullah Jabyr became impatient, advanced in spite of his entreaties and the orders of Rasoolullah (saws) to the battlefield, to engage in the same operation so that only five or six men remained with him.  Embolden by this defeat of theirs the idolaters abandoned the pass of concealment. advanced into the plain of temerity and reached the Muslims attack and greatly disconcerted them.  With the receptacles of satanic inspiration they shouted in every direction “Rasoollullah (saws) is killed”, which confused the army of Islam so that it’s lines were broken.  In their distress the people attacked each other with their swords.  When the infidels perceived their confusion they were emboldened to attack the Muslims.  Then Shayton came in the form of Ebn Soraqa and was about to by killed by the Muslims because he had said thrice, “Verily Rasoolullah is killed.”  Khoyttab B Jabbar (ra) however borne witness that every time the voice was heard he was quietly standing by their side.  The Muslims began to break the idolater’s army when finally the infidels started to flee. 
After the battle-field had been abandoned, Hind with all the women of the advocates of hostility entered among the slain Muslims and they ripped open the abdomen of everyone killed, took out their liver, and having cut off the ears and noses of the martyrs, they made necklaces and bracelets for themselves.  When the opponents were about to return to Mekkah they wished to ascertain whether the Prince of existence (saws) was among the living or the dead.  Abu Sofyn approached the mountain were the Muslims were retreating back to Madinah and shouted, “Is Muhammed (saws) with you?”  But by order of Rasoolullah (saws) they gave no reply.  He again exclaimed, “Is the son of Abu Kohafah (Abu Bakr) among the people?”  This time they also remained silent.  When he asked the third time for Umar (ra) he likewise heard no answer, turned to his co-religionist and said, “All those names I called out have been killed because had they been alive they would have answered.”  At these words Umar (ra) lost his patience and exclaimed, “O enemy of god thou hast lied!  Those whom thou wouldst not have to live are still alive.”  After that Abu Sofyan commenced to praise his idol saying, “Hobal is the highest.”  And by order of Rasoolullah (saws) the people replied, “Allah is the highest and the most glorious.”  Abu Sofyan continued, “Honor we have and you have none.”  The companions answered by the command of Rasoolullah (saws), “God is our Lord not yours.”  Abu Sofyan Said, “One day for another and the battles are judicial decrees meaning that this day was a requital for the fight at Bedr and that wars are prophecies inclining the victory sometimes to one side and sometimes to the other.”  He also said, “Your slain combatants have been dishonors; not by my orders but I am not angry at that.  The next meeting between us will be at Bedr during the coming year.”  The companions replied by the commands of Rasoolullah (saws), “Let it be so.” 

After that Abu Sofyan returned disappointed and hopelessly to Mekkah with an army of aberration.  Rasoolullah (saws), however, was apprehensive lest the idolaters might go to Madinah and plunder it.  Therefore, Rasoolullah (saws) ordered H. Ali (cr) to follow them and bring correct information.  On that occasion he uttered with his wonderfully eloquent tongue these words, “If they are ridding camels and leading their horses they are going to Mekkah, but if they mounted on their horses and leading their camels they are marching to Madinah; and if they are going there I shall punish them.”  H. Ali (cr) acted as he was bid and brought the news that the idolaters were going to Mekkah. 

Ebn Qamyah the infidel threw so many stones at Rasoolullah (saws) that he wounded his blessed countenance.  Drops of blood began to flow from His wound and they began to trickle down his mustache.  Rasoolullah (saw) wiped it with his most pure reda saying, “How can people live who deal thus with their prophet who is inviting them to Allah whose name be glorified?”  Then Angel Jabriel brought down the Ayyah: It matters not to thee whether He forgives or punishes them, for they are the wrong doers. (Sura, 285)  When blood was flowing from Rasoolullah (saws) His Lordship wiped it with His pure reda and did not allow one drop of blood to fall to the ground. 

The idol worshippers were shooting arrows at Rasoolullah (saws) from all directions.  When one struck Abudarz Ghuffari Rasoolullah (saws) put some saliva from His blessed mouth on it and it became immediately well. 

When the arrows of Abu Ttolhah had all been expended His lordship picked up a stick from the ground and handed it to him.  When Abu Ttolhah placed it on the bow that stick became a good arrow which he shot against the enemy. 

Written by Nafisah Bibi Abdus Salaam