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

76 THE LIFE OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD
We are like a flame from whose heat others seek protection while those near it and
exposed are scorched.
You claim superiority over me, Ibn al-Ziba'ra, yet a party went forth in pursuit of
you late at night.
And so on the heights of Ma'add and elsewhere ask yourselfabout which of all men
is the least esteemed,
And who it was the warfare left with nothiig to boast of, and whose face was most
shamed in the battle.
We attacked you fiercely, with God's help and support, the heads of our spears well
directed.
Our lances caused wounds among you like the orifices of waterskis, gushing water.
We headed for the standard-bearers and those who speed to defend the banner are
those swiftest in receiving praise.
Yet your men were traitors and gave up in desertion; and God refutes any order but
it is He who is most effective."'
Ibn Ishaq went on, "'Abd Allah b. al-ZibaCrs spoke the following verses about
the battle of Uhud, he still being a polytheist at that time,
'0 rook of ill-omen, since you foretell, then speak, you only announce what is
already done.
Both good and evil have their course and both of these have witnesses to them.
For them gifts are valueless and the graves of rich and poor are all alike.
All life, all pleasure, fades and fate's handmaidens toy with us all.
Convey to Hassn a message from me, for composing poetry alleviates those in
pain.
How many were the skulls you saw at the mountain's foot, how many the severed
feet and arms.
How plentiful the fie armour removed from warriors slaughtered in the fray.
How many the noble lord we killed, men of fine lineage, on both sides, leaders and
heroes,
Men rmly brave, lords of distinction, not cowards when the sharp points struck.
Ask al-Mihrs, the well at Uhud, what skulls and brains inhabit it, like partridges.
How I wish that my elders at Badr had witnessed the terror of the al-Khaz~aj when
the points struck home,
When warfare scratched its chest at Quba and killing boiled among the 'Abd
al-Ashhal.
They sped away rapidly then, like young ostriches climbing up the mountain.
Of their nobles we killed twice as many, and we reversed the trend at Badr, and it
was equalized.
I am not blaming ourselves, except that if we bad done it again we would have
harmed them badly
With our Indian swords rising above their heads, drinking deep again and again."'
Ibn Ishsq continued, "Hasszn b. Thsbit, God be pleased with him, responded
as follows,