Part 59

As Al-‘Abbaas uttered these decisive words, his eyes were surveying the Angaar's faces in order to trace and observe their teflexes and reaction to his words. Al-‘Abbaas was not satisfied with what he saw, for his great intelligence was a Practical one that investigated tangible and solid facts and confronted them from all their angles with the scrutiny of a calculating expert.

Hence, he posed an intelligent question: “Describe to me your combat readiness and war strategy.” Al-Abbaas was astute enough and experienced with the nature and disposition of the Quraish to realize that war between Islam and disbelief was inevitable, for on the one hand there was no way that the Quraish would accept to forsake their religion, glory, and arrogance. On the other hand, Islam would not yield its legitimate rights to the power of falsehood. The question was, Would the people of AlMadiinah stand firmly behind the Prophet (PBUH) at the outbreak of war?

Were they, technically speaking, on the same level of expertise in the tactics of war, attack, and retreat as the Quraish were ? That was what Al-Abbaas had in mind when he asked them to describe their combat readiness and war strategy.

The Ansaar were firm as a mass of mountain as they listened to Al- “Abbaas. No sooner had he finished asking this provocative question than the Angaar spoke: "By Allah, we are given to warfare. We are men of soldierly bearing. We were raised on the tactics of war and trained to fight. We inherited excellent warfare expertise from our fathers and grandfathers. We have learned to keep on shooting arrows until the last one. We have learned to stab with our spears until they break. We have learned to carry our swords and strike hard until either we or our enemy is vanquished."

Al-Abbaas was overjoyed as he said, " I can tell from what I have just heard that you are masters of warfare, but do you have

armor?" They answered, "Of course, we have armor, shields, and helmets.”

Afterwards, a great and magnificent dialogue occurred between the Prophet (PBUH) and the Angaar, which we will narrate in detail later on. That was Al--Abbaas's attitude at The Second Pledge of Al-Agabah. Whether he had already embraced Islam or had not yet taken his final decision does not change the fact that his great attitude determined his forthcoming role in contributing to the eclipse of the power of darkness and the imminent dawn of Islam. Moreover, it sheds light on his outstanding stout-heartedness.

Finally, the Battle of Hunain took place, offering more evidence of the self-sacrifice of this quiet and compassionate man whose impressive and immortal heroism would be projected on the battlefield only under pressing necessity. Otherwise, this innate

heroism would dwell in his innermost self, yet it would always be lurking there.

In A.H. 8 and after Allah had enabled His Prophet and Islam to achieve the Conquest of Makkah, some of the influential tribes in the Arab Peninsula were enraged by the quick victory that this new religion had achieved in such a short time. Therefore, the Hawaazan, Thaqiif, Nasr, Jusham, and other tribes held a meeting and agreed to wage a decisive war against the Prophet (PBUH) and the Muslims.

Now, we should not let the word "tribes" mislead us into underestimating the gravity of the wars that the Prophet (PBUH) fought throughout his life. We must not think that they were smallscale skirmishes in the mountains. On the contrary, these tribal wars, fought at the tribes' strongholds, were far more difficult and atrocious than ordinary wars. If we bear this fact in mind we would not only have an accurate evaluation of the incredible effort exerted by the Prophet (PBUH) and his Companions, but also a correct and trustworthy one of the value of this great victory achieved by Islam and the believers, and an illuminated insight into Allah's guidance that was conspicuous in their success and victory.

As we have said, the tribes gathered in endless waves of fierce warriors. There were 12,000 warriors in the Muslim army. Twelve thousand? Who were these warriors ?. They were those who, not a long time before, had liberated Makkah, dragging the power of polytheism and idolatry to the last and bottomless abyss, and had raised their flags across the horizon without rivalry or competition.

This was undoubtedly an unprecedented victory that made pride stealthily creep into the victorious Muslims. In the final

analysis, the Muslims were only human beings. Their large numbers and great achievement in Makkah made them vulnerable to pride. Consequently they said, "We shall not be overcome by a small group.”

Their depending solely on their military power, solely and pride in their military conquest were unrighteous sentiments that they would quickly recover from through a painful yet curing shock which was awaiting them, for heaven was preparing them for a much more glorious and elevated end than war. The curing shock was a sudden large-scale defeat shortly after the two armies met in fierce combat. The Muslims at once supplicated Allah in humiliation and submission. They perceived that there was no fleeing from Allah, no refuge but with Him, and there was no power but His. These supplications flowed throughout the battlefield, turning defeat into victory.

Accordingly, the glorious Qur'aan descended addressing the Muslims: <... on the Day of Hunain when you rejoiced at your great number but it availed you naught and the earth, vast as it is, was straitened for you, then you turned back in flight. Then Allah did send down His tranquility upon the Messenger and on the believers, and sent down forces which you saw not, and punished the disbelievers. Such is the recompense of disbelievers > (9 : 25 - 26).

On that day, Al-Abbaas's voice and firmness were the most outstanding manifestation of this calmness and tranquility and of self-sacrifice. For while the Muslims joined forces in one of the valleys waiting for the arrival of their enemies, the polytheists were already hidden throughout the ravines with unsheathed swords. They wanted to take the initiative. Suddenly, they flung themselves into the battlefield and attacked the Muslims ruthlessly. This blitzkrieg shook the Muslims and made them turn their backs to the battle and run away without even casting a glance at one another. When the Prophet (PBUH) saw the chaos that this sudden attack

brought to the Muslim lines, he at once mounted his white mule and cried out at the top of his voice, "Where are my people? Come back and fight! I am truly the Prophet! I am the son of “Abd AlMuttalib!”

At that moment, the Prophet (PBUH) stood there surrounded by Abu Bakr, “Umar, ~Aliy Ibn Abi Taalib, Al--Abbaas Ibn ~Abd AlMuttalib, his son Al-Fad! Ibn Al-Abbaas, Ja*far Ibn AlHaarith, Rabii*ah Ibn Al-Haarith, Usaamah Ibn Zaid, Aiman Ibn “Ubaid and a few other Companions.

There was also a woman who was raised to a high station among those men and heroes, namely, Umm Suliim Bint Milhaan. When she saw the chaos and confusion that the Muslims had fallen into, she mounted her husband Abi Talhah's camel (May Allah be pleased with them both) and hastened towards the Prophet (PBUH). When her baby moved in her womb, she took off her outer garment and pulled it tight around her belly. As soon as she reached the Prophet (PBUH), she gave him her dagger. The Prophet (PBUH) smiled and asked, "Why do you give the dagger to me, Umm Suliim?" She answered, "You are dearer to me than my own father and mother. Kill those who turned their backs on you as you do your enemies, for they deserve the same punishment.” The Prophet's face lit up, for he had _ strong faith in Allah's promise, and he said, "Allah sufficed us against them and has been good to us.”

In those difficult moments, Al--Abbaas was next to the Prophet (PBUH). In fact, he followed him like his shadow, holding the halter tightly and defying danger and death. The Prophet (PBUH) ordered him to cry out at the top of his voice, for he was a stout and loudvoiced man, saying, "Come back and fight, O Ansaar people! Come back, for you took the oath of allegiance to Allah and His Prophet." His voice sounded throughout the battlefield as if it was both the caller and warner of destiny. As soon as those terrified and dispersed Muslims heard his voice, they answered in one breath,

"Here I am at your service. Here | am at your service." They flung themselves into the battlefield like a hurricane. They dismounted the horses and camels which would not move and ran with their shields, swords, and bows as if they were pulled by Al-Abbaas's voice. Once again, the two armies met in fierce combat. The Prophet (PBUH) cried out, "Now it is time for fierce fighting.” It was really a ferocious fight. The bodies of Hawaazan and Thagiif rolled down the battlefield. Allah's warriors defeated the warriors who worshiped the idol of Al-Laat. Allah had sent down His calmness and tranquility on the Prophet and the believers.

The Prophet (PBUH) loved his uncle Al-Abbaas dearly, to the extent that he could not sleep when the Battle of Badr lay down its burden and his uncle was captured. The Prophet (PBUH) did not try to hide his feelings. When he was asked about the reason for his sleeplessness, despite his sweeping victory, he said, "I heard Al- ‘Abbaas moan in his fetters." As soon as a group of Muslims heard the Prophet's words, they rushed to where the captives were, untied Al-Abbaas, and returned to the Prophet and said, “O Prophet, we loosened Al-Abbaas's fetters a little." But why should Al--Abbaas alone enjoy this privilege? Consequently, the Prophet ordered them, "Go and do that to all the prisoners."

Indeed, the Prophet's love for Al--Abbaas did not mean that he should receive special treatment that distinguished him from other captives. When it was decided that a ransom would be taken in exchange for the captives’ freedom, the Prophet (PBUH) asked his uncle, "O ~Abbaas, pay the ransom for yourself and your nephew “Aqiil Ibn Abi Taalib, Nawfal Ibn Al-Haarith and your ally, ‘Utbah Ibn “Amr and the brothers of Bani Al-Haarith Ibn Fahr, for you can afford it." Al--Abbaas wanted to be set free without paying a ransom, saying, "O Mesenger of Allah, I was a Muslim but my people forced me to go forth in this battle." But the Prophet (PBUH) insisted onit. The glorious Qur'aan descended to comment on this incident

saying, < O Prophet! Say to the captives that are in your hands: If Allah knows any good in your hearts, He will give something better than what has been taken from you, and He will forgive you, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful > (8:70).