The Uhud Battle Ground

Cordoned off with a high metal cage-like fence. The area is barren, nothing green to be seen. And yet, birds resting here and there. The place should have been one for quiet contemplation. The sellers with their wares of all sorts and kinds spoiled the silence that should have prevailed out of respect for what had occured here.

The Battle of Uhud was actually a win for the Muslims. Had those 40 archers whom the Prophet s.a.w., had explicitly ordered to stand guard at the cleft of a small hill, not left their place. That was the only weak link in the defence of the Muslims and was most crucial to their safety. Those unfortunate men, thinking the battle won, left their place. All but nine. That gave the enemy the opening they had lacked and they attacked.

It left the Prophet, s.a.w., defenceless, save a few brave men. It resulted in his lip and shoulder being injured, which would cause him pain for months to come. And his front tooth to break and fall. He was injured and protected by only a handful.. The nine archers left at the cleft fell in obediance.

This place holds the remains of 70 Companions who were martyred that day, 67 together to one side, and Hazrat Hamzah, Hazrat Abdullah bin Ja'ash and Hazrat Musab bin Umayyar to another. Hazrat Hamzah lies alone, the other two Companions together.

The story of Uhud is such a tragic one, that I cannot write or think of it, without feeling immense pain. That was my feeling the day we went there too. And there all around me, there was the atmosphere of a picnic...

That small hill is still there, as well as the surrounding mountains still stand, silent reminder to eons past. There were a lot of people gathered on that hill. Chanting I dont know what, it was too far to make out the words. But even that I found sad. That hill carries upon it the blood of so many brave martyers, those who remained to defend it and those who came back to fight again. It was a resting place for the Prophet, s.a.w., he prayed upon it and slept upon it.. and now there was rubbish, and filth on and around it..

Hmmmm.. pictures follow in the next post.