Chief of the Prophets — Page 128
Chapter Seven 128 As Ṭalḥah bin Abī Ṭalḥah was holding the standard of the Quraish, Muḥammad sa took away the standard of the Muhājirūn from ‘Alī bin Abī Ṭālib ra and gave it to Muṣ‘ab bin ‘Umair ra , who like Ṭalḥah also belonged to the tribe of Qusayy bin Kilāb. Before the general combat, there was individual combat between ‘Alī ra and Ṭalḥah, the standard bearer of the Quraish. ‘Alī ra brought Ṭalḥah to the ground with a few blows. After Ṭalḥah, his brother ‘Uthmān bin Abī Ṭalḥah came out from the Quraish side. From the Muslim side, Ḥamzah ra stepped forward and swiftly finished him. The disbelievers, frustrated by the results of individual combat rushed in for a general combat. Muslims also stepped forward loudly proclaiming the slogan of Allāhu Akbar and both the armies became entangled in a fierce battle. It was probably at this moment when Muḥammad sa , holding his sword in his hand said, “Who shall take this sword and do justice to it?” One after the other, many Companions pled to take the sword, but Muḥammad sa handed over the sword to Abū Dujānah Anṣārī and he very well justified the possession of the sword. The famous English historian, Sir William Muir writes: A general engagement ensued and, pressed by the fierce ardour of the Muslims, the Meccan army began to waver. Their horse sought repeatedly to turn the left flank of Moḥam mad; but they were each time forced back by the galling archery of the little band which Moḥam mad had posted there. The same daring contempt of danger was displayed as at Bedr. The Meccan ranks might be seen to quiver as Abu Dujāna, distinguished by a red kerchief round his helmet, swept along the enemy's ranks, and, with a sword given him by Moḥam mad, dealt death on every hand. Ḥamza, conspicuous from his waving ostrich feather; ‘Alī, known by his long white plume, and Az-Zubeir, by his bright yellow turban, like heroes of the Iliad,—carried confusion