[Editor’s Note: This article is a reprint that was published on Dec. 8, 2006, and The Final Call will continue to publish articles from our late and dear Mother Tynnetta Muhammad.]
“Those who said of their brethren whilst they (themselves) held back: Had they obeyed us, they would not have been killed. Say: Avert death from yourselves, if you are truthful. And think not of those who are killed in Allah’s way as dead. Nay, they are alive being provided sustenance from their Lord, Rejoicing in what Allah has given them out of His grace, and they rejoice for the sake of those who, (being left) behind them, have not yet joined them, that they have no fear, nor shall they grieve. They rejoice for Allah’s favour and (His) grace, and that Allah wastes not the reward of the believers.
“Those who responded to the call of Allah and the Messenger after the misfortune had befallen them—for such among them who do good and keep their duty is a great reward. Those to whom men said: Surely people have gathered against you, so fear them; but this increased their faith, and they said: Allah is sufficient for us and He is an excellent Guardian. So they returned with favour from Allah and (His) grace; no evil touched them, and they followed the pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Lord of mighty grace.”—Holy Qur’an, Surah 3, verses 167-173
According to the circumstances that prevailed during the Battle of Uhud, the injury inflicted on Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was due to the disobedience of a small number of his military unit of archers, numbering 50, who abandoned their posts of holding down a strategic position on the particular hillock named Uhud.
›Thinking that victory had been achieved, they rushed headlong in pursuit of the enemy that they saw fleeing in front of them. They anxiously ran after the booty to possess their material resources, without realizing that they had vacated their position in direct opposition to the Prophet’s orders. They seized the opportunity to rush in on the enemy’s rear. They were unaware that the Prophet had been injured, with rumors circulating that the Prophet had been killed in battle.
Upon learning the tragic circumstances that prevailed, they greatly regretted their error and grieved deeply over their disobedience to the Prophet’s orders. God forgave them out of His Bountiful Mercy, as we read in the Holy Qu’ran, Surah 3, verses 152, 153:
“When you went away far, and paid no heed to anyone, and the Messenger was calling to you in your rear. So He gave you (another) grief for (your) first grief that you might not grieve at what escaped you, nor (at) what befell you. And Allah is Aware of what you do. Then after grief He sent down security on you, slumber overcoming a party of you, while (there was) another party whom their own souls had rendered anxious—they entertained about Allah thoughts of ignorance quite unjustly.
“They said: Have we any hand in the affair? Say: The affair is wholly (in the hands) of Allah. They hide within their souls that which they would not reveal to thee. They say: Had we any hand in the affair, we would not have been slain here. Say: Had you remained in your houses, those for whom slaughter was ordained would have gone forth to the places where they would be slain. And (this happened) that Allah might test what was in your breasts and that He might purge what was in your hearts. And Allah is Knower of what is in the breasts.”
So it is today in the life of our Nation, as drawn from the examples of past histories. Disobedience to the direct instructions of the Messenger or the Apostle in our midst can bring about great harm, injury and grief. But, Allah’s Mercy and Forgiveness take precedence in all of the circumstances that may surround our lives, which ultimately can be reversed to the attainment of great victory. Surah 3:159 reads: “If Allah helps you, there is none that can overcome you; and if He forsakes you, who is there that can help you after Him? And in Allah should the believers put their trust.”
To close this narrative, as a reminder to the Believers that the Help of Allah and His Mercy are nigh, I quote these closing verses from Surah 3:171-173.
“Those who responded to the call of Allah and the Messenger after the misfortune had befallen them—for such among them who do good and keep their duty is a great reward.Those to whom men said: Surely people have gathered against you, so fear them; but this increased their faith, and they said: Allah is sufficient for us and He is an excellent Guardian. So they returned with favour from Allah and (His) grace; no evil touched them, and they followed the pleasure of Allah. And Allah is the Lord of mighty grace.”
More to come, God willing.
