The Battle of Uhud (8)

Dialogue and resolution

Both sides were in a mode of retreat. When the pagans were poised to return to Makkah, Abu Sufyan appeared on Mount Uhud and shouted, “Is Muhammad among you?” Nobody responded from the Muslim side. Abu Sufyan then shouted: “Is Abu Bakr, the son of Abu Qahafa among you?” Once more he was met with silence. He shouted a third time: “Is Umar bin Khattab among you?” This call also went unanswered because the Prophet had forbidden the Muslims to make any reply.

The silence satisfied Abu Sufyan, who called out jubilantly, “We have finally been relieved of those three.” Hearing these words Umar impetuously roared: “O enemy of Allah, all whom you named are alive, and Allah Almighty has more disgrace in store for you.”

Abu Sufyan said, “Your slain have been mutilated. I neither ordered it nor disliked it.” After that he cried, “Glory to Hubal.” The Prophet instructed his Companions to counter, “Allah is the Highest and Most Majestic.” Abu Sufyan then shouted, “We have Uzza while you have none.”

The Prophet bade his followers answer, “Allah is our Lord but you have none.”

Abu Sufyan reminded the Muslims of their loss, saying, “What a glorious deed we have wrought. This is our revenge for Badr. Victory in war goes by turns; one wins today and the other tomorrow.”

Umar retorted, “The scores are certainly not even, for our dead have gone to Paradise and yours to Hell.” Taken aback at Umar’s conviction, Abu Sufyan conceded, “Your people consider it so, and if it is true we are losers.” Then Abu Sufyan called Umar closer and said, “Umar, I ask you in the name of Allah if we have killed Muhammad.”

Umar swore, “By Allah, this is not true, and he is listening to what you say.” Abu Sufyan was convinced about the truth of Umar’s words and complimented his enemy, “To me you are more truthful and upright than Ibn Qam’a.” With his parting words, he issued a challenge, “We shall meet again at Badr next year.” At his, the Prophet had a Companion affirm, “Yes, it is an appointment between us.”