The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (sa) - Volume II — Page 328
Seal of the Prophets - Volume II 328 circumstances. Even if you see that we have become victorious, and the enemy has fled in defeat, do not leave this place; and if you see that the Muslims have been defeated, and the enemy has prevailed upon us, do not move from this place. ” 1 This instruction was so emphatic that in one narration, the following words have been related: “Even if you see that vultures are tearing away at our remains, do not budge from this place until you receive an order to leave. ” 2 In this manner, after completely fortifying his rear, the Holy Prophet sa began to arrange the Muslim army in battle array, and appointed separate commanders for the various sections of the army. On this occasion, the Holy Prophet sa received news that the flag of the army of the Quraish was in the hands of Ṭalḥah. Ṭalḥah was from that dynasty, who under the administration of Qusayy bin Kilāb, the paramount ancestor of the Quraish, held the right of standard-bearing in representation of the Quraish during wars. Upon becoming aware of this, the Holy Prophet sa said, “We are more worthy of demonstrating national loyalty,” and then, the Holy Prophet sa took the flag of the Muhājirīn from Ḥaḍrat ‘Alī ra and entrusted it to Muṣ‘ab bin ‘Umair ra , who was also a member of the very same dynasty to which Ṭalḥah belonged. 3 On the opposing end, the army of the Quraish had also aligned in battle array. Abū Sufyān was the commander in chief of the army. Khālid bin Walīd was the commander of the right-wing and Ikramah bin Abū Jahl commanded the left flank. The archers were lead by ‘ Abdullāh bin Rabī‘ah. 4 The women were positioned behind the army, and while beating their drums, they sang couplets to rouse the martial spirit of their men. 5 1 Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Maghāzī, Bābu Ghazwati Uḥud, Ḥadīth No. 4043 2 Ṣaḥīḥul-Bukhārī, Kitābul-Jihād Was-Siyar, Bābu Mā Yukrahu Minat-Tanāzu‘i Wal-Ikhtilāf. . . . . , Ḥadīth No. 3039 3 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) 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) 5 * As-Sīratun-Nabawiyyah, By Abū Muḥammad ‘Abdul-Mālik bin Hishām, p. 525, Taḥrīḍu Hinda Wan- Niswati Ma‘ahā, Dārul-Kutubil-‘Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001) * 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)