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

IMAM ABU AL-FIDA' ISMA'IL IBN KATHIR 3 1
everyone, "Come to me, servants of God! Come to me, servants of God!"
Thirty men did gather around him, then began moving out ahead of him, only
Talha and Sahl b. Hanif staying. Talha shielded him and was struck by an arrow
in his hand that became paralysed. Uhayy b. Khalaf al-Jumahi then approached;
he had sworn to kill the Prophet (SAAS). He said, "I really will kill him!"
He (the Messenger of God (SAAS) responded, "You liar! Where will you
hide?" Ubayy then attacked, hut the Prophet (SAAS) pierced him through the
chain-mail over his chest and Ubayy was slightly injured. He fell, bellowing like
a steer and they carried him off, telling him, "You've not been badly wounded;
what is upsetting you so?" He replied, "Didn't he say, "I shall certainly kill
you!" If all Rahica and Mudar had assembled, he would have killed them!" And
it was only a day or so thereafter that Ubayy did die of that wound.
"'Word spread that the Messenger of God (SAAS) had been killed. Some of
those up at al-Sakhra said, "We'd better send an envoy to 'Abd All& b. Ubayy
and have h i get us a truce from Abn Sufym. People! Muhammad has been
killed! Go back home before they get to you and kill you!"
"'Anas b. al-Nadr responded, "People; even if Muhammad has been killed,
Muhammad's God has not. Fight on for what Muhammad (SAAS) strived for.
0 God, I apologize to You and seek Your forgiveness for what these people have
said." He then gripped his sword and fought valiantly until he was killed.
"'The Messenger of God (SAAS) hurried off to snmmon his men and reached
those at al-Sakhra. When they saw him coming, one of them put an arrow to
his bow to shoot, but he called out, "I'm the Messenger of God!" They were
overjoyed to see him and he too was delighted to have found some of his men to
protect him. When they gathered around the Messenger of God (SAAS) their
depression lifted, and they advanced, talking of victory, how it had escaped them
and making mention of their comrades who had been killed.
"'And so God, Almighty and Glorious is He, revealed the following verse
about these men who had said, "Muhammad is dead! So go back to your
people!" It was: "Muhammad is only a messenger, and messengers have passed
away before him" (%rat A1 'Imran; 111, v. 144).
"'Abii Sufym then advanced and took a position where he could look down
upon them. When the men looked up at him, they forgot their enthusiasm
and Ahti Sufym became their sole concern. And so the Messenger of God
(SAAS) spoke the words, 'Tt must not be that they overcome us: 0 God, if
this group of men are killed, then You will not be worshipped on earth." His
Companions then repented and hurled rocks at the enemy until they forced
them down.
"'Abn Sufya said on that day, "Raise up Hubal! Hanzala for Hanqla! The
battle of Uhud for the battle of Badr!""'
He then went on to relate the rest of the story. This account is very strange
and objectionable in part.