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

302 THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD
Im%n Abad stated, "'Affzn related to us, quoting Hammad, from Thzhit,
from Anas, that the Messenger of God (SAAS) left the dead at Badr unburied
for three days, till they became putrid. He then went out, stood near them and
said, '0 Umayya b. Khalaf, 0 Ahn Jahl b. Hishzm, 0 Wtha h. Rahi'a, 0 Shayba
b. Rabi'a, have you found what your Lord promised you to be true? I have found
what my Lord promised me to be true."'
He continued, "Wmar heard his voice and asked, '0 Messenger of God, do
you call out to them after three days, and do they hear? God Almighty said, "You
do not make the dead to hear."' He replied, 'By Him in whose hand is my soul,
you do not hear any better what I say than they do. But they cannot reply."'
Muslim related this from Hudha h. Khdid, from Hammzd h. Salama.
Ibn Ishzq stated, "Hassm b. Thzhit spoke the following verses,
'I recognized Zaynab's home on the dunes, traced like a
line of revelation on a clean sheet,
The winds blow over them and all the dark clouds
pouring down heavy rain,
Its traces are worn and have become defaced that once
were the abode she enjoyed.
Give up remembering her every day and cast off the
agony of your sad heart,
And relate shamelessly, honestly and without inventing
lies.
Tell what the AU-Powerful did in the morning at Badr,
giving us success over the polytheists,
That morning when their force seemed as great as Mt.
Hirit', its dimensions plain at sunset.
When we engaged them our force was like forest lions,
young and mature alike,
Ahead of Muhammad whom they defended against his
enemies in the fires of warfare,
Sharp, thin swords in their hands, all well-tried
and hone cutting,
The Banii al-Aws in the vanguard, helped by the Bann
al-Najjar, men in the firm faith.
We left Aha Jahl prostrate, and 'Utba on the ground,
And Shayba we left there, along with other men of noble
lines.
When we threw them upside down into the pit, the
Messenger of God called to them,
"Do you not now find my words were true? And God's
command does take by the heart."
They did not speak but if they had they would have
said, "You spoke true; your views were correct.""'