We previously spoke about the forces of Qureish being driven back to their camp by the fighters of Islam, and we also spoke about Qureish's panic when they found themselves unable to stymie the advance of the Muslims.
However, in earlier episodes, we made mention of the 400 Qureishi horsemen under the command of their top general, Khalid bin Walid, as well as the 50 Muslim archers led by Abdullah ibn Jubeir. We also highlighted the Prophet's (pbuh) strict instructions to the archers not to vacate their posts and to remain vigilant of the 400 horsemen at all costs, no matter what happened.
We now see the main contingent of Muslim fighters in hot pursuit of the warriors of Qureish who just couldn't get away fast enough through the thick sand.
We see the Muslims hacking and cutting down the enemy, those unfortunate enough to stumble in their way; we see the Meccans trampling their own comrades (those who couldn't make it through the soft underfoot). We hear them plead for the lives; we hear them scream as their fellow warriors cut off their groping hands as they tryto hang on to their fleeing countrymen. There was no quarterbeing given and no prisoners taken. It was absolute hell.
If one can picture the scene that was playing itself out, i.e. the Muslims chasing Qureish and clearly having the upper hand (despite the overwhelming disparity in numbers), perhaps one can then understand the emotions that must have raged through the 50 archers under the command of Abdullah ibn Jubeir, as they watched their mates closing in on Qureish's camp. Perhaps one may not then judge too harshly their folly of abandoning their posts and following their fellow Muslims, despite the frantic admonishments of Abdullah ibn Jubeir.
There ran Ali, The Prophet's (pbuh) cousin, scimitar held high (amidst the frenzied warriors), followed closely by Hamza, the 'Lion Hunter', Umar ibn Al Khattab, and Abu Dujana, their victorious cries of: 'Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!' echoing all across the plains of Uhud.
'Allahu Akbar!' shouted the leading archers as they burst through the sand, paying scant attention to Abdullah ibn Jubeir who pleaded with them not to leave their posts.
'Who can stop us now?' came the retort from a short heavyset man who was smiling gleefully. 'We are winning the war! Can't you see?'
'Allahu Akbar!' came the chorus from the rest. 'Allahu Akbar!' And they moved as if their feet never touched the ground.
Abdullah ibn Jubeir stood forlorn. 'Come back!' he pleaded pathetically. 'Please! Come back!' He could only watch in complete horror as Khalid bin Walid gave the order to attack.
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