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One year passed after the Battle of Badr, Quraysh’s caravans were still in Dar An-Nadwah, with their huge profits amounting 50,000 Dinars (Dinar: a golden coin ~4.25 gm). The remaining great men of Quraysh gathered in Abu-Sufyân’s house, and agreed to spend all their profits from the caravan to prepare for another fight against Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) and his companions. Quraysh prepared an Army of 3000 men, joined by men from other allied tribes like Banu -Al Mustaliq, and other allies. They went on their way, taking songstreses, tambourines and wine. In the army also, was Hind the wife of Abu-Sufyân, and 15 women toencourage the fighters. They reached Dhul-Halîfah near Al-Madînah.

Al-`Abbâs ibn `Abdul-Muttalib has already sent word to the Prophet (SAWS) about the marching of the Qurayshi army. Thus the Prophet (SAWS) gathered his companions and asked them to give their advice about the new developments. The Prophet (SAWS) told them that they could stay in Al-Madînah, and to be ready to fight the coming enemy. However, the majority of the companions favored the idea of leaving the city to face the enemy outside. Therefore, on Friday the 15^th of Shawwâl, year 3A.H, the Prophet (SAWS) led the Friday prayer, and delivered his speech encouraging the people to be steadfast and patient. He then went to his house and wore two armors. He took a sword and put his shield behind his back and went outside to meet the people with his armour. After seeing him with his armour, those who first suggested meeting the enemy outside Al-Madînah said: we will follow what you have first said, that we stay and wait to face the enemy in Al-Madînah. The Prophet (SAWS) replied: “It is not for a Prophet who put on his armour, to take it off until Allah judges between him and his enemy”.

The Prophet (SAWS) then assigned the standards, paraded the army, and marched with 1000 men until they reached mid-way between Al-Madînah and Mount Uhud (a mountain North of Al-Madînah). At that point, `Abdullâh ibn Ubay ibn Salûl, the leader of the hypocrites broke away from the army with 300 followers. However, the believer’s army still marched on. They arrived at the mountain pass of Mount Uhud and camped there, keeping Mount Uhud to their back and faced the way towards Al-Madînah. Meanwhile the disbelievers descended the valley to reach the bottom of Mount Uhud. Thus the Prophet (SAWS) had to put 50 archers behind the believer’s army at the back of the mountain. He ordered them strictly to stay there and not move. He then drew up his troops and made a speech giving encouragement and advices to his soldiers.

A man came forward from the ranks of the disbelievers. Az-Zubayrr ibn uAl-`Awwâm faced him and put him to the sword. `Ali ibn Abu-Tâlib also killed the standard-bearer of the disbelievers whose name was Hamzah Artâh. Next, `Abdur-Rahmân ibn Abu-Bakr came forward from the disbeliever’s ranks calling for someone to face him. At this point Abu-Bakr started to come forward to face his son, but the Prophet (SAWS) stopped him saying: “we like to keep your company Abu-Bakr, do not go”.

Following this, each side launched an attack against the other. Quraysh’s women played the drums and sang songs to charge their men up. The fight went on, and victory was going for the Muslims if only the archers stayed in their place. However, the archers left their posts to get to the booty after they saw the disbelievers falling down. This meant that now the rear of the Muslim army was open to the enemy. Seeing this, the disbeliever’s horsemen, led by Khâlid ibn ul-Walîd (who became Muslim later on) attacked the rear of the Muslim army through the open passage left by the Muslim archers.

A rumor went out that the Prophet (SAWS) was killed. This weakened the morale of the Muslim army, and some Muslims began to lose hope. Then the Prophet(SAWS)’s place was discovered, so the disbelievers delivered most of their onslaught to him. They showered him with stones. The Prophet (SAWS) fell and broke his tooth. His face and lips were wounded and two rings from the metal chain strap of his helmet went into his cheek. Abu-`Ubaydah ibn ul-Jarrâh pulled out those rings from the Prophet’s cheek and two of the Prophet’s teeth were pulled out in the process.

The disbelievers surrounded the Prophet trying to kill him, but five men from the Ansâr circled him. Others joined them later until they drove the disbelievers away. Among the men who excelled in defending the Prophet (SAWS) were: Sa`d ibn Abu-Waqqâs, `Abdur-Rahmân ibn `Awf, Abu-Talhah Al-Ansâry, who used his hand as a shield to stop the sword attack on the Prophet (SAWS), and Abu-Dujânah who leaned over the Prophet (SAWS) to shield him from arrows. As a result many arrows stuck to his back.

After the disbelievers were pushed away from the Prophet (SAWS), Ka`b ibn Mâlik Al-Ansâry saw him and exclaimed loudly: “Muslims, good news!”. The Prophet (SAWS) then made a sign for him to be quiet. Then he (SAWS) walked between Sa`d ibn Abu-Waqqâs, Talhah, Az-Zubayr and others towards yhe mountain pass, where Fâtimah Az- Zahrâ', his daughter (R.A.) washed away the blood from him and attended to his wounds.

At this point Ubay ibn Khalaf came forward from the disbelieverss ranks and asked: “where is Muhammad? I would rather die if he is still alive”. Then the Prophet (SAWS) threw a spear towards him, so that Ubay ibn Khalaf fell off his horse, his neck was injuired and he died of his injury. No one except him was ever killed by the Prophet (SAWS), neither in this battle nor in any other.

The Prophet (SAWS) wanted to climb a rock so as to see the disbelievers but was not able to do so. Talhah ibn `Ubyadullâh helped him until he got up there, where he saw a group of the disbelievers at the back of the mountain. The Prophet (SAWS) then said: “They should not be at a higher post than us”. Then he sent `Umar ibnul-Khattab with a group of Muslims to drive them away of the mountian.

Abu-Sufyân climbed up a hill, and called out loud: “We are now equal; this day for us is in the same way that the day of Badr was for you. Glory be to Hubal [a name of an idolof Quraysh]”. The Prophet (SAWS) here ordered `Umar (R.A.) to answer him. `Umar (R.A.) answered: “Allah is the Highest and Most Great! There is no equality at all, for those killed on our side will go to Paradise and those on your side eill lie in Hell”. When Abu-Sufyân heard `Umar’s voice he said: “come to me `Umar”. The Prophet (SAWS) allowed `Umar to go to Abu-Sufyân. Then Abu-Sufyân asked `Umar: “O `Umar, did we really kill Muhammad?” `Umar replied: “No, you did not. He is hearing your words now”.

Abu-Sufyân then called out: “We shall meet again at Badr next year”. He was answered by the Muslims after the Prophet’s permission: “Yes, It is an appointment between us”.

Abu-Sufyân, however, did not fulfil his promise and so he did not go out to Badr the next year. On the other hand, the Prophet (SAWS) did but could not find anyone there. This battle was named the second or minor battle of Badr.

After the disbelievers left, The Prophet (SAWS) searched for martyrs among the dead and ordered for their burial. He then returned to Al-Madînah in the middle of the month of Shawwâl.

Muslim martyrs were 70 in this battle. There were 4 from Al-Muhâjirîn and the rest were from Al-Ansâr. The disbelievers lost 22 men.

Hind, the wife of Abu-Sufyân, together with other women walked between the Muslim martyrs, cutting off their noses and ears and making them into necklaces. Abu- Sufyan’s wife slew open Hamza’s stomach and took out his liver in revenge for the people she lost in the battle of Badr.

One night after arriving in Al-Madînah, the Prophet (SAWS) again ordered all who attended the battle of Uhud to go out with him, to see where the enemy was. When Abu-Sufyân sensed this, he started to return with the disbelievers to face the Muslims. However, when he was informed that Muhammad (SAWS) has come with ALL his companions, he became frightened and changed his mind. Then he kept retreating back to Makkah.

The Prophet (SAWS) stayed with his companions in Hamrâ' Al-Asad which is a place on the way to Makkah, 8 miles from Al-Madînah. He stayed there for three night,s then came back to Al-Madînah after making sure that all the disbelievers have returned to Makkah.