The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 353
VIII - Blow of a Misfortune, Law of Inheritance, Prohibition of Alcohol, Treachery of the Disbelievers and Two Tragic Incidents 353 enemy of Islām. After the battle of Uḥud, he continued to secretly circle the vicinity of Madīnah, but the Companions spotted him, apprehended him and presented him before the Holy Prophet sa. Ḥaḍrat ‘Uthmān ra interceded on his behalf and the Holy Prophet sa released him on the condition that he would leave within three days, otherwise he would be executed according to the punishment which was meted out to spies. Mu‘āwiyyah promised that he would leave within three days, but when this time limit had expired and he was still found to be circling Madīnah secretly just as before, he was executed. 1 History has not recorded his motive, but for someone to secretly remain in the vicinity of Madīnah, and then to remain there past the stipulated term despite being warned, demonstrates that he harboured dangerous intent. It is very likely that agitated and vexed by the safe return of the Holy Prophet sa from the field of Uḥud, he came to Madīnah with some ill-motive against the very person of the Holy Prophet sa and planned to make a secret strike with the help of a conspiracy hatched by the Jews or idolators of Madīnah. Nonetheless, God the Exalted granted His protection and his plan could not succeed. Outcomes of the Battle of Uḥud As far as permanent outcomes are concerned, the battle of Uḥud does not possess any special significance. Temporarily, however, this battle did cause harm to the Muslims in certain respects. Firstly, seventy men were martyred in this war, some of whom were among the most prominent Companions and the number of those who were wounded was also very large. Secondly, the Jews and hypocrites of Madīnah, who had become somewhat awe-stricken as a result of the battle of Badr now became relatively bold. As a matter of fact, ‘Abdullāh bin Ubayy and his supporters openly hurled mockery and taunt on this occasion. 2 Thirdly, the Quraish of Makkah became very bold and in their hearts they began to assume that they had not only sought revenge for Badr, but even in the future, whenever they were able to collect a force and wage an attack, they could easily subdue the Muslims. Fourthly, 1 As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Mālik bin Hishām, p. 548, Ghazwatu Ḥamrā’il- Asad, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001) 2 * Tārīkhur-Rusuli Wal-Mulūk (Tārīkhuṭ-Ṭabarī), By Abū Ja‘far Muḥammad bin Jarīr Aṭ-Ṭabarī, Dārul-Fikr, Beirut, Lebanon, Second Edition (2002) * Subulul-Hudā War-Rashadi Fī Sīrati Khairil-‘Ibād, By Muḥammad bin Yūsuf, Volume 4, pp. 230- 231, Ghazwatu Uḥudin / Dhikru Izhāril-Munāfiqīna Wal-Yahūdish-Shamātata Was-Surūra Bi-Mā Ḥaṣala Lil-Muslimīna, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut (1993) [Publishers]