The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 2 of 4

IMAM ABU AL-FIDA' ISMAC~L IBN KATH~R 279
Al-Bukhm related through several different lines of transmission, from
Khzlid al-Hadha', from 'Ikrima, from Ibn CAbbzs, that the Prophet (SAAS),
while in a pavilion he had at Badr, spoke the words, "0 God, I appeal to Your
pact and to Your oath! If You wish it, You will not be worshipped ever again
after this day!" Abn Bakr took him by the hand and said, "That is enough, 0
Messenger of God! You are pestering your Lord." The Messenger of God
(SAAS) then went outside, walking vigorously in his armour, speaking the verse,
"The force will be defeated! They will retreat! The hour will come, and it will
he most bitter!" (sprat al-Qamar; LIV, v.45).
This verse was revealed in Mecca. Its truth was substantiated at the battle of
Badr, as Ibn Abn Ham related, as follows, "My father related to us, quoting
Aba al-Rabic al-ZahrPni, quoting Hammad, from Ayyiib, from 'Ikrima, who
said, 'When the verse was revealed, "The force will be defeated! They will
retreat!" Wmar asked, "Which force will be defeated, and which will be
supreme?" And Wmar (later) said, "On the day of the battle of Badr, I saw the
Messenger of God (SAAS) walking vigorously in his chain-mail and reciting,
'The force will be defeated! They will retreat! Their hour will come, and it will
be most bitter!' I then realized how it was to be interpreted."'"
A-Bukhzri related, through Ibn Jurayj, from Ynsuf b. Miihan, who heard
'A'isha say, "While I was a girl playing in Mecca, there was revealed to
Muhammad the words, 'Their hour will come, and it will be most bitter."'
Ibn Ish2q stated, "The Messenger of God (SAAS) began appealing to his Lord
for the aid He had promised him, saying, '0 God, if this force perishes, You
will not be worshipped.' Ahii Bakr was saying meanwhile, '0 Prophet of
God, diminish your appeals to your Lord. God will fuffil for you what He
has promised you.'
"The Prophet (SAAS) had a brief nap while he was in the shelter. When he
awoke, he said, 'Be joyful, Abn Bakr, God's help will come to you; I saw Gabriel
taking his horse by the reins and leading it. And on its front teeth there was
al-naq'!' By this word he meant 'dust'."
Ibn IsNq continued, "The Messenger of God (SAAS) then went outside to
the men and urged them on, saying, 'Every man who fights them bravely and
advances without retreating will have God give hi entry into heaven.'
"Wmayr b. al-Hum-, a brother of the Banii Salama bad some dates in his
hand that he was eating. He shouted, 'Great! Great! Is all that stands between me
and paradise to have them kill me?' He then tossed away the dates, took his
sword and fought the enemy until he was killed. God bless him!"
Imam Ahmad said, "Hashim b. Sulaymb related to us, from Thabit, from
Anas, who said, 'The Prophet (SAAS) sent Basbas off as a scout to see what had
become of Abn Sufyzn's caravan. He then returned to the house where only I
and the Prophet (SAAS) were present, as far as I know, except for some of his
wives. He (Basbas) then made his report to him.'