Expedition to Hamra al-Asad After Uhud

The day after the Battle of Uhud, despite the Muslim casualties and his own wounds, the Prophet called the believers to march out in pursuit of the Quraysh. He specifically ordered that only those who had fought at Uhud the previous day could join. The wounded, bandaged companions eagerly responded. The brothers of Banu Salamah, Rafi' and Khallad, had been badly injured; Rafi' could not walk without support, but they carried each other and marched. The army pursued the Quraysh to Hamra al-Asad, about eight miles south of Medina. The Prophet ordered large fires lit across the hills to give the impression of a massive force. Ma'bad al-Khuza'i, a polytheist from the Prophet's allies, passed Abu Sufyan's camp and warned him that Muhammad was pursuing with a huge, furious army. Abu Sufyan, who had been considering returning to finish off the wounded Muslims, was frightened and continued his retreat to Mecca. Allah revealed about this expedition: 'Those who responded to Allah and the Messenger after injury had struck them. For those who did good among them and feared Allah is a great reward' (Al Imran 3:172).