The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 329
VIII - Blow of a Misfortune, Law of Inheritance, Prohibition of Alcohol, Treachery of the Disbelievers and Two Tragic Incidents 329 The first to advance from the army of the Quraish was Abū ‘Āmir and his followers (who has already been mentioned above). He was from the Aus tribe and used to reside in Madīnah, and was known by the name of ‘ Rāhib. ’ 1 Shortly after the arrival of the Holy Prophet sa to Madīnah, this individual became full of malice and jealousy, and left for Makkah with a few supporters, and continuously incited the Quraish of Makkah against the Holy Prophet sa and the Muslims. Now, in the Battle of Uḥud, he came forth in war against the Muslims as a supporter of the Quraish. It is astonishing to note that Ḥanẓalah, the son of Abū ‘Āmir was a very faithful Muslim, who was a part of the Muslim army on the occasion of this war, and was martyred fighting valiantly. 2 Since Abū ‘Āmir was from among the influential people of the Aus tribe, he was confident that after coming before the people of Madīnah following such a long period of separation, they would immediately abandon Muḥammad [sa] and join him. It was in this hope that Abū ‘Āmir advanced along with his followers before anyone else, and exclaimed in a loud voice, “O People of the Aus tribe! It is I, Abū ‘Āmir. ” The Anṣār called out in a single voice, “Be gone you wicked man! May you never receive the delight of your eyes. ” 3 With this they showered him with stones and Abū ‘Āmir along with his followers lost their senses and fled back to where they had come from. 4 Upon witnessing this sight, Ṭalḥah, the flag-bearer of the Quraish very vehemently marched forward and called for a dual in a very arrogant tone. Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī ra advanced to confront him and cut him down in two or four blows. After this, ‘Uthmān, the brother of Ṭalḥah came forward; and from the opposing front, Ḥamzah ra stepped forward to challenge him and put him to the ground. Upon witnessing this sight, the disbelievers became furious and launched an all out attack. Calling out slogans of God’s Greatness, the Muslims also marched forward, and both armies fiercely collided with one another. It was perhaps on this occasion that the Holy Prophet sa took his sword in hand and said, “Who shall take this sword and do justice to it?” Many Companions extended their hands in the desire of this 1 * Rāhib is an Arabic word for ‘Monk. ’ [Publishers] 2 Aṭ-Ṭabaqātul-Kubrā, By Muḥammad bin Sa‘d, Volume 2, p. 270, Man Qutila Minal-Muslimīna Yauma Uḥud, Dāru Iḥyā’it-Turāthil-‘Arabī, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996) 3 As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Mālik bin Hishām, pp. 401-402, Nubdhum-Min Dhikril-Munāfiqīn / Iṣrārubnu Ṣaifiyyin ‘Alā Kufrihi, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001) 4 Aṭ-Ṭabaqātul-Kubrā, By Muḥammad bin Sa‘d, Volume 2, p. 269, Ghazwatu Rasūlillāhi sa Uḥudan, Dāru Iḥyā’it-Turāthil-‘Arabī, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996)