Introduction to the Study of The Holy Quran — Page 139
139 unequipped, stood before a number three times as large, and all of them seasoned soldiers. In a few hours, many noted chiefs of Mecca met their end. Just as the Prophet Isaiah had foretold, the glory of Kedar faded away. The Meccan army fled in miserable haste, leaving behind their dead as well as some prisoners. Among the prisoners was the Prophet’s uncle, ‘Abbas, who generally stood by the Prophet during the days at Mecca. ‘Abbas had been compelled to join the Meccans and to fight the Prophet. Another prisoner was Abul-‘As, a son-in-law of the Prophet. Among the dead was Abu Jahl, Commander-in-chief of the Meccan army and, according to all accounts, arch-enemy of Islam. Victory came, but it brought mixed feelings to the Prophet. He rejoiced over the fulfilment of divine promises, repeated during the fourteen years which had gone by, promises which had also been recorded in some of the earliest religious writings. But at the same time he grieved over the plight of the Meccans. What a pitiable end had they met! If this victory had come to another in his place, he would have jumped with joy. But the sight of the prisoners before him, bound and handcuffed, brought tears to the eyes of the Prophet and his faithful friend Abu Bakr. ‘Umar, who succeeded Abu Bakr as the Second Khalifah of Islam, saw this but could not understand. Why should the Prophet and Abu Bakr weep over a victory? ‘Umar was bewildered. So he made bold to ask the Prophet, "Prophet of God, tell me why you weep when God has given you such a grand victory. If we must weep, I will weep with you, or put on a weeping face at least. " The Prophet pointed to the miserable plight of the Meccan prisoners. This was what disobedience of God led to. The Prophet Isaiah spoke again and again of the justice of this Prophet, who had emerged victorious from a deadly battle. Of this there was a grand demonstration on this occasion. Returning to Medina the Prophet rested for the night on the way. The devoted followers who watched him could see that he turned from side to side and could not sleep. They soon guessed that it was because he heard the groans of his uncle, ‘Abbas, who lay nearby, bound tight as a prisoner of war. They loosened the cord on ‘Abbas. ‘Abbas stopped groaning. The Prophet, no longer disturbed by his groans, went to sleep. A little later he woke up and wondered why he no longer heard ‘Abbas groan. He half thought ‘Abbas had gone into a swoon. But the Companions guarding ‘Abbas told him they had loosened the cord on ‘Abbas to let him (the Prophet) sleep undisturbed. "No, no," said the Prophet, "there must be no injustice. If ‘Abbas is related to me, other prisoners are related to others. Loosen the cords on all of them or tie the cord tight on ‘Abbas also. " The Companions heard this admonition and decided to loosen the cords on all the prisoners, and themselves bear the responsibility for their safe custody. Of the prisoners, those who were literate were promised freedom if they each undertook to make ten Meccan boys literate—this being their ransom for liberty. Those who had nobody to pay ransom for them, obtained their liberty for the asking. Those who could afford to pay ransom, were set