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

IMAM ABO AL-FIDA' ISMA~L IBN KATHTR 343
men. The Helpers totalled 236 men. The bearer of the banner of the Prophet
(SAAS) was 'Ali b. Aba Tnlih. The flag bearer for the Helpers was Sa'd b.
'Ubada."'
This determines their total to have been 306 men.
Ibn Jarir stated, "It is said that they totalled 307 men."
I observe that this latter figure may have included the Messenger of God
(SAAS); the former may have omitted him. But God knows best.
It was given earlier on the authority of Ibn Ishaq that the Emigrants totalled
83 men, that of Aws there were 61, while Khazraj consisted of 170 men; and he
enumerated them.
This is contrary to what al-Bukhzri reported and to what was related from Ibn
'Abbas. But God knows best.
In the sahih it is reported of Anas that he was asked whether he had been present
at Badr. He replied, "And where else would I have been then?"
In the Sunan (The Accepted Norm) by Aba DiPiid, there is an account from
Sa'id b. Manstir, from Aba MuQwiya, from al-A'mash, from Aha Sufyzn Talha
b. N&', from Jibir h. 'Abd Allah b. 'Amr b. Haram, who said, "I was drawing
water from the well for my companions at the battle of Badr."
These two men are not mentioned by al-Bukh- or by al-Diya'. But God
knows best.
Among those included by Ibn Isbq in the total figure given of those who received
a share of the spoils of Badr were some who were not actually there but who
stayed behind for some good reason. These were the eight or nine men whose
names follow: 'Uthma h. 'Affzn who stayed behind with Ruqayya, daughter of
the Messenger of God (SAAS), nursing her until she died. He was given a full
share of the spoils; Sa'id b. Zayd b. 'Amr h. Nufayl who went to Syria but was
given a full share; Talha b. 'Ubayd AUzh, who was also in Syria, was given a full
share; Aba Lubzba Bashir b. 'Abd al-Mundhir, who was sent back by the
Messenger of God (SAAS) from al-Rawha' when news came of the departure of
the enemy force from Mecca. The Messenger of God (SAAS) placed him in
charge of Medina and awarded hi a full share; al-u~ith b. Hacib b. 'Ubayd b.
Umayya, whom the Messenger of God (SAAS) also sent back while en route: he
received a full share; al-H~itb. al-Simma, who broke his leg at al-Rawha' and
returned home, received a share. Al-Waqidi added that he received compensation;
Khawwat b. Jubayr was also not present at the battle hut was awarded a full
share; Aba al-Siya b. Thabit, who went forth with the Messenger of God
(SAAS) but had a splinter of rock injure his foot, received a full share; al-Waqidi
stated, "And Sa'd Aba Malik who readied his equipment for battle hut died at
al-Rawhz': he was awarded a full share."
Those Muslims who were martyred that day totalled 14 men. Those who were
Emigrants were 6 in number, as follows: Wbayda b. al-Hzrith b. al-MutMib, who
had his leg cut off and died at al-Safr~', God bless him; 'Umayr b. Aba Waqqzs,