Chief of the Prophets — Page 126
Chapter Seven 126 Some of the prominent Companions agreed with Muḥammad’s suggestion, and ‘Abdullāh bin Ubayy bin Salūl, the chief of the Hypocrites, also advised that the strength of the enemy was far greater than theirs and that therefore they should fight them from within Madīnah. But most of the Companions, and especially the young ones who did not get the opportunity to fight in the Battle of Badr strongly insisted on going outside Madīnah to fight. Muḥammad sa , seeing their enthusiasm, accepted their suggestion and went inside his house and came out wearing double body armour. The Companions later thought about it and realized their big mistake and also realized that they should not have insisted on their suggestion over Muḥammad’s opinion. One of them with this thought in mind said to Muḥammad sa , “O Messenger of Allah! Your advice was correct. We should stay in Madīnah to fight. ” Muḥammad sa said: It does not befit a Prophet of God to put on his arms and then lay them down before God issues forth a verdict. 1 In the evening, Muḥammad sa left Madīnah with an army of 1,000 men and two horses including 100 men wearing body armour. A few young boys also accompanied him for the love of Jihād. Muḥammad sa sent some of them back; however, since Rāfi‘s father had recommended him to be included in the army because of his archery skills, Muḥammad sa permitted him to be included. Another boy, Samurah bin Jundab also approached Muḥammad sa with his father and pleaded that if Rāfi‘ was included, he must also be included because he was stronger than Rāfi‘ and could easily wrestle him down. Muḥammad sa appreciated the desire of the boy and smilingly said, “Okay, let’s have a wrestling match of Rāfi‘ and Samurah so we can find out who is stronger. ” The match took place, and Samurah defeated Rāfi‘ in a moment. Muḥammad sa granted permission to Samurah to come along. The boy was very pleased. 1 Bukhārī, Kitābul-I’tiṣām (Book of Holding Fast).