Muhammad: Seal of the Prophets — Page 311
MUHAMMAD : SEAL OF THE PROPHETS 311 At Uhud, 3,000 well armed, well mounted and well accoutred Quraish warriors were opposed by 700 Muslims. Again, the advantage was overwhelmingly in favour of Quraish, and though they received a severe check at the start, disobedience of the Holy Prophet’s strict instructions by the band of archers posted to guard the rear of the Muslims, ended in near disaster for the Muslims. If Quraish had pressed their advantage and invaded Medina, they might have achieved their purpose of destroying the Muslims. The Confederate forces of Quraish and their allies numbered not less than 10,000. Only 3,000 Muslims were available for picketing the trench and the vulnerable parts of the city. During the greater part of the siege, the Muslims could be described as a for ce only in name. They were half - famished throughout and towards the end were absolutely spent and helpless. In the final stage they were caught and held between the upper and nether mill - stones of the allies and Banu Quraidha. They could not have survived this juxtaposition for longer than two or three days at the outside. Again, the denouement was short and sharp. The fury of the forces of nature swept the allies away from the field, and they marched back in disorder and confusion, with their tails between their legs. That disposed of Quraish and their allies. Banu Quraidha took to their strongholds, proud and arrogant in the certainty that their position was so strong and impregnable that the Muslims, in the condition in which they had been left by the prolonged siege, could do them no harm. The siege had been lifted, but the Muslims were by no means yet secure. The sequel