We have previously discussed Qureish's march to Medina, and, we have highlighted their passionate designs of avenging their dead, i.e. those who had fallen during the Battle of Badr, as well as those of their relatives and loved ones who had been killed by stalwart Muslims such as Hamza, Umar, and Ali.
We discussed the role of Hind, the wife of Abu Sufyan (leader of the Qureish army). We discussed how she and others swept the Meccan warriors into an impassioned frenzy, so much so, that on 11 March 625 a mighty force of 3,000 Qureishi infantry and 400 cavalry (under the leadership of Khalid bin Walid) launched a menacing campaign on Muhammed (pbuh) and his followers.
Hind, as has been explained before, not only lost her father and brother to the sword of Hamza (the uncle of the Prophet (pbuh)), but some of her close relatives as well. She had sworn that she would not rest till she had cut down Hamza, removed his liver and eaten it. And she subsequently contracted an Abyssinian slave—one Wakhshi, a master of the lance and spear—to bring down Hamza (with just one meaningful throw), promising him his freedom as well as a huge amount of money if he succeeded in doing so. She was determined not to let anything stand in her way. Nothing!
And so, on the morning of 19 March 625, we saw the Prophet (pbuh), dressed in armor and at the head of approximately 700 men (and hardly any cavalry), arrive at the foot of Mount Uhud. This area is now known as northwestern Arabia.
It was still dark, and the morning prayer (Fajr) had not yet been performed.
To the East, the first rays of dawn struggled feebly against the mighty Arabian sky. A full moon was also making its way towards the horizon—now appearing, now disappearing behind a few stray clouds. There was much blood in the sky!
The Prophet (pbuh) alighted from his horse and Abu Bakr, his trusted friend, came to him.
'O, Messenger of Allah,' he said, looking somewhat concerned, 'Observe the forces of Qureish...!'
Muhammed (pbuh) sighed, 'Yes, O, Abu Bakr. They have many men.' And he turned towards where the Qureish army were assembling their lines. 'They have come for revenge, my Friend. They have certainly come for revenge!'
'So what is your strategy, O Messenger of Allah?' Abu Bakr wanted to know. Umar ibn Al Khattab also came nearer. There was a deep frown on his otherwise nonchalant face. 'Are we going to engage them as we usually do?' Umar asked, putting his hand on the Prophet's (pbuh) shoulder. 'Individual combat?'
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