And Qureish watched perplexed. They couldn't understand why Muhammed (pbuh) still had time to dilly-dally, especially since they (Qureish) were almost ready to attack!
'Please show us the Straight Path,' the Prophet (pbuh) continued, tears rolling down his cheeks. 'The Path of those who have earned Thy Favor, and not of those who have gone astray! O, Allah! O, Allah! Please accept our Call!'
And so committed were they in their prayers, that Qureish (for some inexplicable reason) could only stare at them and shake their heads. These Muslims were really a puzzle to them.
The Prophet (pbuh), when he had finished his prayers, surveyed his troops and turned towards Mount Uhud. 'I want 50 archers to guard our flank,' he said, pointing towards the western side, where the Qureish cavalry (under the leadership of Khalid bin Walid) were lurking ominously. 'And whatever you do,' he added sternly, 'do not leave your posts! No matter what happens!'
The archers nodded and left with Abdullah ibn Jubeir to take up their positions.
The Prophet (pbuh) then raised his sword and called out loudly: 'Who is there who will do justice to this blade of steel?' He smiled at them.
Abu Dujanah stepped forward—he was a very fierce fighter. 'I will! O, Prophet of Allah! I will!' And he took out a small red scarf and tied it around his head. 'I am ready for Qureish!'
The two armies were poised: Hind and her cohorts chanting: 'Ho Ho, Sons of Abd al Dar! Ho Ho, Guardians of the land! Strike down your enemies! Advance forward and we shall embrace you! Advance forward and we shall spread the carpets for you! Turn your backs and we shall avoid you! Turn your backs and we shall never come to you!'
Muhammed (pbuh) turned towards the heavens: 'O, Allah...You are our Lord. You are our Sustainer. No hardship, nor evil can befall us, except that which Thee has Ordained. So Please, Grant us victory; Grant us success; Grant us the strength to overcome those who wish to deny You, O, Allah. You are the Most Powerful; The Most Magnificent. O, Lord of all the Worlds!'
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