Chief of the Prophets — Page 125
Chapter Seven 125 Abū Sufyān left Makkah most probably in Ramaān of 3 A. H. , with a mighty army of 3,000 including some of the most prominent warriors of Arabia. The army was amply equipped with armament and had 3,000 camels, and 200 horses. Singing women to call upon their national honour with their hateful poetry were also with them. After traveling for 11 consecutive days, this army reached the north side of Madīnah, and stopped three miles from Madīnah at the mountain named Uḥud. They raided the pastures of Madīnah and let loose their horses and camels to graze there. Muḥammad sa received information about all of these events through his informants. He gathered the Companions and said to them: Last night I saw a cow in a dream, and also saw that the tip of my sword had broken. 1 Thereafter, I saw the cow being slaughtered, and I had placed my hand in a secure and strong body armour. 2 The Companions said: O Messenger of Allah! What is the interpretation of your dream? Muḥammad sa replied: I have understood the slaughtering of the cow to infer that some of my Companions shall be martyred, and it seems as if the breaking of the tip of my sword is an indication towards the martyrdom of someone from among my relatives, or perhaps I shall myself suffer an injury in this campaign. As for placing my hand in body armour, I have understood this to infer that in order to fend off this attack, it is more appropriate for us to remain in Madīnah. 1 Bukhārī, Kitābul-Maghāzī (Book of Expeditions led by Muḥammad sa ). 2 Ibni Hishām.