Banu
Salama of Al-Khazraj were partially impressed by the hypocrite’s behaviour. Both of them were  overwhelmed by confusion and they had almost started to withdraw, but Allâh’s Care saved them from  that disgrace. About their incident Allâh says:
“When two parties from among you were about to lose their heart, but Allâh was their Wali
(Supporter and Protector). And in Allâh should the believers put their trust.” 3:122
‘Abdullah bin Haram — the father of Jabir bin ‘Abdullah — attempted to stop their withdrawal. He  reminded the hypocrites of their duty at this delicate and awkward condition, but in vain. He followed  them, reproached them and urged them to go back saying: “Come and fight in the way of Allâh or at  least be defenders.” They said: “If we had known that you would really fight we would have not gone  back.” Having despaired of them, he addressed them saying: “May Allâh cast you away, you enemies  of
Allâh. Allâh will certainly suffice His Prophet.” Allâh says about those hypocrites:
“And that He might test the hypocrites, it was said to them: ‘Come, fight in the way of Allâh or
(at least) defend yourselves.’ They said: ‘Had we known that fighting will take place, we would  certainly have followed you.’ They were that day, nearer to disbelief than to Faith, saying with  their mouths what was not in their hearts. And Allâh has full knowledge of what they  conceal.” 3:167
THE REMINDER OF THE ISLAMIC ARMY ARE ON THE MOVE TO UHUD:
With the remainder of fighters, the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) moved towards the  enemy.
After the rebellion and withdrawal of the hypocrites, the number of soldiers was reduced to seven  hundred only.
The camp of idolaters was situated in such a place that the many roads leading to Uhud were almost  blocked by them. So the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) said to his men: “Which man of you  can lead us to where the people (i.e. the idolaters) are, along a short track that does not pass by  them?” Abu Khaithama said: “O Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him), I am the man you need.”
Then he chose a short track that led to Uhud passing by Harrah Bani Harithah and their farms, leaving  the idolaters’ army westwards.
On their way they passed by Ha’it (i.e. the field) of Marba‘ bin Qaizi, who was a blind hypocrite. When
Marba‘ felt and realized that they were the Prophetic army, he started throwing earth at their faces, so  they rushed to kill him, but the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:
“Do not kill him. He is blind in heart and eyes.”
The Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) went along till climbed down the hillock of Uhud at the  slope of the valley. He camped there with his army facing Madinah while their backs were to the hills  of
Uhud mountain. So the army of the enemy stood a barrier between the Muslims and Madinah.
THE DEFENCE PLAN:
TheMessenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) mobilized his army. He arranged them into two rows to  prepare them for fight. He selected fifty skillful archers that formed a squad and made them under the  command of ‘Abdullah bin Jubair bin An-Nu‘man Al-Ansari Al-Awsi Al-Badri. He issued his orders to  them to stay where they were — on a mountain(side) at the south bank of Qanat Al-Wadi (i.e. a canal  of the valley), south east of Muslims camp at about one hundred and fifty metres from the Islamic  army. Later on this mountain was called the Mountain of Archers.
The Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) clarified the mission of this squad in words he directed to  them. He said to their leader: “Drive off the horses from us by means of arrows, lest they should  attack  us from behind (the rear). Whether we win the battle or lose it, stand steadily in your position and  mind  that we are not attacked from your side.”
He added:
“Defend our backs! If you see us slain. Do not come to assist us; and if you see gaining grounds,  do not share us.”
In a version by Al-Bukhâri the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:
“If you see us snatched into pieces by birds, do not leave this position of yours till I send for you.
And if you see that we have defeated the enemy and trodden on them do not desert your  position till I send for you.”
With the assignment of this squad and locating it on the mountainside and the issuance of those strict  military orders, the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) blocked the only groove that might lead