from their ancestors.
Abu Sufyan, the general leader, reminded his men — the standard bearers — of what had happened to
Quraish on Badr Day (i.e. battle) when their standard bearer, An-Nadr bin Al-Harith, was captured. In an attempt to wage their anger and enmity to the Muslims he said: “O Bani ‘Abd Ad-Dar! You have been assigned bearers of our standard and you know that the standard is the first thing that the enemy attacks. Should it fall, we fall down too. Therefore, I say either you guarantee its safety or leave it for us, and we will certainly suffice you that task.”
Abu Sufyan’s attempt seemed to be fruitful. For his speech made Bani ‘Abd Ad-Dar so extremely angry that they threatened him and almost attacked him for that. Addressing him, they said: “You want us to deliver you the custodianship of the standard? Tomorrow when we fight them, you will witness our deeds.” As a matter of fact, they fought bravely and stoodfast in defence of the standard till they were all killed.
POLITICAL MANOEUVERS OF QURAISH:
A little time before the break out of the battle, Quraish made some endeavours to sow the seeds of discord and dispute among the Muslims. First, Abu Sufyan sent to the Helpers a message saying:
“Leave us alone to fight our cousins and do not interfere. If you stand aside, we will not fight you; for fighting you is not a target of ours.” But that attempt proved to be fruitless. What could such a wicked scheme do to those whose Faith was as solid and firm as mountains?! The Helpers reply was undoubtedly disappointing and contrary to Abu Sufyan’s expectations.
The zero-hour was due. The two parties drew nearer. Undespaired by the first failure, Quraish made another attempt, for the same purport but now with the assistance of a traitor called Abu ‘Amir Al-
Fasiq, whose name was ‘Abd ‘Amr bin Saifi. He was called a monk, but the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) nicknamed him Al-Fâsiq (i.e. perverted transgressor; dissolute). As he was the head of
Aws in Al-Jahiliya, he could not tolerate Islam when it came. He announced his enmity to the
Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) in public. He left Madinah for the Quraishites in Makkah to rally them against the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) and to urge them to start the fight against him. He claimed that he was obeyed and esteemed by his people and that as soon as they saw him come they would join him immediately.
So he was the first one among the mob and slaves of Quraish to show resistance. He called out unto his people, recognized them and said: “O kinfolk of Aws! I am Abu ‘Amir.” Their reply was “No eyes of anybody shall be consoled by viewing you, O Fâsiq.” Hearing them say so, he said: “My people must have been afflicted by an evil after my departure.” Therefore when the fight broke out, he fought them fiercely and pelted his people with stones, as well.
That was how the second attempt of Quraish to sow the seeds of discord among people of Faith. This, however, revealed the great terror of the Quraishites cast in their hearts in spite of their supremacy in number and equipment.
THE EFFORT OF THE QURAISHITE WOMEN AT WAGING THE ZEAL OF MEN:
Quraishi-women participated in the battle led by the wife of Abu Sufyan, Hind bint ‘Utbah. They wandered among the rows of the idolaters, tapped on tambourines, encouraged men to fight, inflamed the emotions of heroes, lancers, swordsmen and brave fighters. At one time they addressed the standard-bearers:
“O Bani ‘Abd Ad-Dar!
O home defenders,
Strike with your sharp swords …”
And at another time they would wage people’s zeal by singing:
“If you fight (bravely), we will embrace and unfold mats to welcome you.
But if you flee from the battlefield, we leave you,
Desert you and no more love you.”
THE COMBAT:
The two parties approached and grew very close to each another. The phases of fight started. The first combatant was the standard-bearer, Talha bin Abi Talha Al-‘Abdari, who was the most distinguished idolater. He was one of the bravest men of Quraish fighters. Muslims nicknamed him ‘the ram of the