The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 148
Seal of the Prophets - Volume II 148 Then, ‘Utbah mounted his camel and began to convince people of his own accord that: “It is not correct to fight against relatives. We should turn back and leave Muḥammad sa to his devices and let him settle his matter with the tribes of Arabia himself. We shall see what happens, and after all it is not such an easy task to fight these Muslims, because even if you call me a coward, although I am not, َ اِنِّی ْ اَری ٰ قَوْمًا مُسْتَمِیْتِیْن , i. e. , I see a people who are eager to purchase death. ” When the Holy Prophet sa noticed ‘Utbah from afar, he said, “If there is anyone from among the army of the Quraish who possesses some nobility, then it is certainly in the rider of that red camel. If these people listen to his advice, it would do them good. ” However, when Ḥakīm bin Hizām approached Abū Jahl, and presented this proposal to him, could it be expected that this Pharaoh of the people would be talked into such a thing? He instantly retorted, “Well, well, now ‘Utbah has begun to see his relatives before him!” Then he called upon ‘Āmir Ḥaḍramī, the brother of ‘Amr Ḥaḍramī, and said, “Have you heard what your ally, ‘Utbah says? Especially, when the retribution of your brother is in our grips!” The eyes of ‘Āmir began to gorge with blood in rage and according to the Arab custom, he tore off his clothes becoming naked and began to shout: وا عمراہ وا عمراہ “Woe to ‘Amr! My brother is not being avenged! Woe to ‘Amr! My brother is not being avenged!” This desert cry, enflamed a fire of enmity in the hearts of the Quraish and the furnace of war began to burn in full force. 1 The taunt given by Abū Jahl infuriated ‘Utbah. Consumed by this rage, he took his brother Shaibah and son Walīd and proceeded ahead of the disbelieving army. According to the ancient Arab custom, he called for individual combat. A few Anṣār were about to advance, when the Holy Prophet sa restrained them and said, “Ḥamzah, stand up! ‘Alī, stand up! ‘Ubaidah, stand up!” All three of them were very close relatives of the Holy Prophet sa , and it was his desire that his own kith and kin should be the first to advance in the face of 1 As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Mālik bin Hishām, pp. 425-426, Dhikru Ru’yā ‘Ātikah. . . . . / Nasabul-Ḥanẓaliyyah , Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001)