The Life of the Prophet Muhammad by Ibn Kathir - Volume 3 of 4

IMAM ABD AL-FIDA' ISMA'IL IBN KATHiR 17
Ya'qiih h. Sufym related it thus from U~hugh, from Ibn Wahb, from Yiinus,
from al-Zuhri; but by this chain of authorities the number was also given as 700.
God knows best.
Miisz h. Wqba stated, "The polytheists' cavalry was under the command
of Khzlid h. al-Walid. They had with them 100 horses. Their banner was in
the charge of 'Uthmm b. Talha. The Muslim force did not have a single horse."
He then related the hattle, as will now be done in detail, if God wiUs it.
Muhammad h. Ishzq stated, "When the Messenger of God (SAAS) had related
his visions to his Companions, he told them, 'If you agree to remain in Medina
and leave them where they have halted, that spot will turn out bad for them,
while if they come in after us, we will fight them in the town.'
"'Ahd Allzh h. Ubayy b. Salal agreed with the Messenger of God (SAAS) that
they should not go forth to meet the enemy.
"Some Muslims, however, including some whom God granted martyrdom at
Uhud and others who had not attended at Badr, said, 'Messenger of God, lead
us forth to our enemies so that they won't consider us to he scared of them, or
too weak.'
"'Ahd Allah b. Ubayy stated, 'Messenger of God, don't go out to attack them.
Whenever we have left the town to do battle with an enemy, we have been
beaten, whereas whenever they came in we beat them.'
"People kept on badgering the Messenger of God (SAAS) until he went in
and dressed in his armour. That was on Friday, after he had fiished the prayer.
A man from Banii al-Najjxr named Mdik h. 'Amr had died that day. He said
prayers for him and then went out to his men. They were now repenting their
attitude and saying, 'We made him do what he did not wish, and we had no right
to do that.'
"When he came out to them, they told him, 'Stay here if you wish, Messenger
of God.' He replied, 'It would not he fitting for a prophet who put on armour to
take it off before he did hattle.'
"The Messenger of God (SAAS) then went forth with 1,000 of his men."
Ihn Hishzm stated, "He left Ihn Umrn Maktiim in command of Media."
Ibn Ishzq stated, "He went on as far as al-Shawc, between Medina and Uhud,
and there 'Ahd Allah h. Ubayy withdrew back with one-thud of the men. He
said, 'He (the Prophet (SAAS)) agreed with them, hut not with me. We don't
know why we should kill ourselves out here, men!'
"He returned home with those of his tribe who were hypocrites and doubters.
'Abd Allah b. 'Amr h. Haran d-Sulami, the father of Jsbir h. 'Abd Allah, went
after them, saying, 'People, I enjoin you by God not to abandon your people and
your Prophet when their enemy is at hand!' They replied, 'If we knew that you
would do hattle, we would nut surrender you; but we don't believe there will
he any fighting.'