The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 350
Seal of the Prophets - Volume II 350 Ghazwah of Ḥamrā’ul-Asad This night was a night of great fear in Madīnah, because although the army of the Quraish had apparently taken to Makkah, it was apprehended that this move may be a plot to catch the Muslims off guard, and suddenly return to attack Madīnah. Hence, on this night an arrangement was made for security in Madīnah and the Companions particularly stood guard all night long at the residence of the Holy Prophet sa. 1 The next morning it was discovered that this apprehension was not mere speculation, because prior to Fajr Ṣalāt , the Holy Prophet sa received news that the army of the Quraish had stalled at a few miles from Madīnah and a heated debate was taking place amongst the chieftains of Makkah, that making use of this victory, why not attack Madīnah. Some of the Quraish were taunting one another saying: “You did not kill Muḥammad [sa] , nor did you take the Muslim women as slaves, nor did you seize their wealth and possessions; rather, when you gained dominance over them and received the opportunity to destroy them completely, you just left them and turned back, so that they may collect strength again. There is still time, let us return and attack Madīnah and uproot the Muslims once and for all. ” In contrast to this, the others argued: “You have attained victory. Consider this to be good fortune enough and return to Makkah, lest we lose this repute as well, and this victory is turned to defeat. Now if you return and attack Madīnah, the Muslims shall indeed fight with all their strength, and those who did not participate at Uḥud shall come forth in the field of battle as well. ” 2 Ultimately, however, the opinion of the passionate ones prevailed and the Quraish prepared to set back to Madīnah. 3 When the Holy Prophet sa was 1 Aṭ-Ṭabaqātul-Kubrā, By Muḥammad bin Sa‘d, Volume 2, p. 274, Ghazwatu Rasūlillāhi sa Ḥamrā’al- Asad, Dāru Iḥyā’it-Turāthil-‘Arabī, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996) 2 * Sharḥul-‘Allāmatiz-Zarqānī ‘Alal-Mawāhibil-Ladunniyyah, By Allāmah Shihābuddīn Al-Qusṭalānī, Volume 2, pp. 464-465, Ghazwatu Ḥamrā’il-Asad, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (1996) * Tārīkhul-Khamīs Fī Aḥwāli Anfasi Nafīs, By Ḥusain bin Muḥammad bin Ḥasan, Volume 1, p. 447, Ghazwatu Ḥamrā’il-Asad, Mu’assasatu Sha‘bān, Beirut 3 As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Mālik bin Hishām, p. 546, Ghazwatu Ḥamrā’il- Asad, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001)