Lessons from Uḥud - Part Two
Make the best out of the worst situation
After the archers abandoned their crucial position, the battle became very fierce. The Muslims were now fighting from all angles, and completely distraught after hearing the false rumour that Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه وسلم had been killed. They ended up splitting in three camps. One group of Ṣaḥābah رضي الله عنهم ran back to Madīnah. Another group were in state of utter shock and dismay after hearing the false rumour. We must understand, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم was everything for Ṣaḥābah رضي الله عنهم; not only was he a close companion, but a leader, teacher, adviser, judge, their Nabī. He was their foundation of Islām. Just the thought of Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه وسلم no longer being with them, was incredibly distressing for Ṣaḥābah رضي الله عنهم. This is why some Ṣaḥābah رضي الله عنهم actually sat down during the battle, confused of how to proceed forward. The third group were those who were fighting with Rasūl صلى الله عليه وسلم showing exemplary bravery. After a period of time, some Ṣaḥābah رضي الله عنهم from the second group ended up joining the third group.
The books of sīrah are filled with extraordinary accounts of Ṣaḥābah’s رضي الله عنهم sacrifices and display of boldness during this battle. For instance, many Ṣaḥābah رضي الله عنهم dedicated themselves to protect Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه وسلم as much as possible. There are variations in the numbers of bodyguards Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه وسلم had, due to the fluctuating conditions – but amongst them was Sayyidunā Sa’d ibn Abī Waqqāṣ رضي الله عنه. He was a brilliant archer, and continuously fired arrows without rest! Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه وسلم would extract the arrows from Sayidunā Sa’d’s رضي الله عنه quiver, and tell him to shoot. He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, “Let my father and mother be sacrificed for you!” [Bukhārī 4057]. Sayyidunā ‘Ali ibn Abī Ṭālib رضي الله عنه said, “I have not heard the Messenger of Allāh saying ‘may my parents be sacrificed for you’ for anyone other than Sa’d ibn Abī Waqqāṣ.” [Bukhārī 4059] This itself is testimony to the status of this lofty companion of Rasūl صلى الله عليه وسلم.
Sayyidunā Ṭalḥa رضي الله عنه also shone on the day of Uḥud. Ṭalḥa رضي الله عنه became a human shield, defending the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم from continuous harm. He did not waiver, and protected the Messenger of Allāh صلى الله عليه وسلم with his own body. Ṣaḥābah رضي الله عنهم always put Rasūlullāh’s صلى الله عليه وسلم safety before their own. They were ready to sacrifice everything they had for Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه وسلم. You can therefore understand why their rank is so elevated. Sayyidunā Ṭalḥa’s fingers became severely paralysed due to the constant arrows being fired by the pagans.
These were just two accounts of incredible bravery and utter valour displayed by the noble Ṣaḥābah رضي الله عنهم. Despite the sudden change of circumstance in the battlefield, whereby defeat was seeming inevitable, they refused to allow defeat to enter their hearts or spirits.
Although we are not in physical battle, we are constantly in battle with our nafs and desires. We regularly battle with ideologies that seek to disassociate us from Islām; striving to weaken our īmān (faith). We can never give in to such enemies. We must defend ourselves by constantly working on our spirituality, seeking beneficial knowledge, acting upon and following the sunnah of Rasūlullāh صلى الله عليه وسلم (amongst other things).
If we were to adopt the same attitude and mindset as that of these noble Ṣaḥābah رضي الله عنهم, no matter what challenges we are afflicted with, we will always prosper and come out stronger. Yes, the current social, economic and political events today are a cause of concern, and it is a truly difficult time, but we as Muslims need to rise to the occasion and allow such events to bring the best out in us. Despite the current cost of living crisis emerging, we should ourselves and others in whichever capacity we are able to, checking up on our neighbours, assisting the vulnerable and most of all returning to Allāh with sincere Du’ā.
Testing times can either make you or break you, what will you choose?