The Battle of Uḥud
غزوة أُحُدA year after Badr, Quraysh returned for revenge. The Muslims held the advantage until the archers left their post to gather spoils, and a cavalry counterattack turned the day into a grievous trial.
Opposing force
≈ 3,000 (Quraysh)
۞
The Archers' Hill (Jabal al-Rumāt)
The Prophet ﷺ placed 50 archers to guard the rear and ordered them not to leave, whatever happened.
The believers
≈ 700
A severe test · Ḥamzah (ra) martyred
How it unfolded
- 1
The Prophet ﷺ stationed archers on a hill to protect the army's rear, ordering them to hold it without fail.
- 2
The Muslims routed Quraysh at first; seeing them flee, most archers left the hill for the spoils.
- 3
Khālid ibn al-Walīd (then with Quraysh) swept around through the gap and struck from behind.
- 4
Ḥamzah (ra) was martyred, the Prophet ﷺ was wounded, and a false rumour spread that he had been killed.
Reflections
- Discipline and obedience to leadership.
- Trials purify and teach the believers.
Learn more
▶Video28:28Mercy to the Worlds - Episode 44
▶Video29:03Mercy to the Worlds - Episode 45
▶Video28:30Mercy to the Worlds - Episode 46
▶Video28:53Mercy to the Worlds - Episode 47
▶Video28:09Mercy to the Worlds - Episode 48
Source & authenticity · Compiled from standard Seerah works (principally Ar-Raheeq Al-Makhtum). Figures are the traditional ones; disputed numbers are flagged. Editorial summaries in our own words, under scholarly review.