An Outline of Early Islamic History — Page 48
48 “We promise to give you battle next year in Badr. ” The Prophet accepted the challenge. The Quresh had mutilated the dead bodies of Muslims. Hinda, the wife of Abu Sufiyan, had disfigured Hamza. The Prophet was deeply grieved at this. Some seventy Muslims lay dead. They were all buried on the spot. There wa s not enough cloth to cover their bodies. When the Prophet went to Medina, he was received with great joy. He had been believed to have been slain. Muslims were happy to know he was alive. An old Ansari lady had started for the battlefield when she heard of his death. On the way she was told that her father had been killed. She asked, “How is the Prophet ?” Then someone told that her husband had been slain. She only wanted to know if the Prophet was safe. Next she was informed that her son had fallen in the battle. All she said was, “How is the Prophet?” When she saw the Prophet, she exclaimed: “All misfortunes are nothing if you are safe. ” When the Quresh were half way to Mecca, they felt they had made a grave mistake. They thought they should have finished Medina for good. They decided to turn back. The Prophet came to know of this and prepared to meet them. He gathered his men and set fort h. This army camped at Hamra - al - Asad. Maadaban, an Arab chief, met the Prophet there. He was on