Chief of the Prophets — Page 99
Chapter Six 99 way that many Companions, in spite of thinking that the expedition was being prepared to stop the caravan, got ready to go along. Even the Anṣār , who according to the Second Pledge of ‘Aqabah were not bound to go along, also hurried along. Muḥammad sa assembled the Companions for deliberation. Abū Bakr ra and ‘Umar ra gave very passionate speeches showing their utmost sacrificial spirit, but Muḥammad sa did not react to them and sought the advice of other Companions. The chieftains of Anṣār understood that the question was directed to them. So Sa‘d bin ‘Ubādah ra , the chieftain of the Khazraj said, “O Messenger of Allah, we, the Anṣār are ready for every kind of service. ” The selected Companions, who were informed about the army by Muḥammad sa , were concerned because of the weak state of the Muslims and the lack of provisions. The Qur’ān says: (Al-Anfāl 8:6) While a party of the believers were averse, therefore He helped thee against thy enemy. Even this group eagerly stood up to go according to the directive of their master. After traveling a short distance out of Madīnah, Muḥammad sa made an assessment of the army and noticed some minors whom he asked to return. ‘Umair, the son of Sa‘d bin Abī Waqqāṣ, started crying on hearing the instructions of Muḥammad sa for the children to return. Muḥammad sa allowed him to stay after seeing his extraordinary fervour for participation. The strength of the Muslim army was 313, which included 60 Muhājirūn. The Muslims had only 70 camels and 2 horses, and the Companions took turns riding. The