Chief of the Prophets — Page 100
Chapter Six 100 same was the case with the Leader of the Two Worlds 1. When his companions insisted that he should not walk, he smilingly said, “I am neither weaker than you in walking, nor do I have any less desire for reward. Why then should I not take my turn?” 2 It is very important to mention here that it was practice of Muḥammad sa to appoint someone as the chief of Madīnah (Amīr) whenever he would leave town. On this occasion, he named ‘Abdullāh bin Ummi Maktūm ra as the chief. However, ‘Abdullāh ra was blind and there was fear of attack on Madīnah; therefore, when the Prophet reached Rauḥā’, a place located 36 miles from Madīnah, he appointed Abū Lubābah bin Abdil Mandhar ra as the chief and sent him back to Madīnah. However, ‘Abdullāh bin Ummi Maktūm ra was still kept to lead Ṣalāt. From Rauḥā’, he sent two Companions to gather intelligence about the movement of the enemy. They were still far away from Badr when the news came that the army of the enemy was close by. Now the time of secrecy was over; therefore, Muḥammad sa gathered all the Companions and informed them about the army and asked for their advice. A few Companions, mentioning the weakness of Muslims said that they would have preferred to fight with the trade caravan. However, some of the most revered Companions made very passionate speeches and Miqdād bin Aswad ra said: O Messenger of Allah! We do not say to you as the Children of Israel said to Moses as , ‘Go thou and thy Lord and fight, and here we sit. ’ Rather, go and we are with you. 3 Muḥammad sa was very pleased with this speech, but he wanted to find out about the intentions of the Anṣār ; therefore, he said, “Friends should give me their advice; what do they think?” Hearing 1 The Leader of the Two Worlds is a title of Muḥammad sa. [Publisher] 2 Ibni Sa‘d. 3 Bukhārī, Kitābul-Maghāzī (Book of Expeditions Led by Muḥammad sa ).