The polytheists returned once again to counterattack the Muslims. An idolist woman — called ‘Umra  bint
‘Alqama Al-Harithiyah — rushed to the lying-on-earth standard, picked it up and hoisted it. The  idolaters gathered together around the standard and called out unto one another till they encircled the
Muslims and stoodfast to fight again.
THE MUSLIMS CONSEQUENTLY GOT ENTRAPPED BETWEEN TWO MILLSTONES.
The Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) was then among a small group of fighters — nine in  number at the rear of the army, watching the engagement and braving the Muslim fighters. Khalid  and  his men took him by utter surprise, and obliged him to follow either of two options:
1. To flee for his life and abandon his army to its doomed end, or
2. To take action at the risk of his life, rally the ranks of the Muslims again and work their way  through the hills of Uhud towards the encompassed army.
The genius of the Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him), his peerless and matchless courage made  him opt for the second course. He raised his voice calling out unto his Companions: “Slaves of Allâh.”
He did that though he knew that hisloud voice would be heard by the idolaters before it was heard by  the Muslims. He called out unto them risking his life in this delicate situation.
The idolaters, indeed, recognized him and reached his position even before the other Muslims could do  so.
The encompassment of the Muslims revealed three categories of people: The first group were those  who were only interested in themselves and they went so mad that they fled. They left the battlefield  and did not know what happened to the others. Some of this group fled as far as Madinah. Some  others  went up the mountain.
The second Muslim group were those who returned to the battle, but mixed with the idolaters in such  a  way that they could not recognize one another. Consequently some of them were killed by mistake.
On  the authority of Al-Bukhari, he states that ‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: “When it was
Uhud Battle, the idolaters were utterly defeated. Satan then called out: ‘O slaves of Allâh. Beware the  rear (i.e. the enemy is approaching from behind)’. So those who were at the front turned back and  fought the ones who were behind.”
Then Hudhaifah caught sight of his father ‘Al-Yaman’ about to be killed by other Muslims. So he said:
“O servants of Allâh! Beware! This is my father. This is my father.” ‘Aishah (May Allah be pleased with  her) said: “But they did not part with him till he was killed.” Hudhaifah then said: “May Allâh forgive  you.” And ‘Urwa said: “By Allâh, from that time on Hudhaifah has always been blessed and wealthy till  he died.” That was because he forgave them and refused to take any blood-money for his father’s  murder but recommended that it be spent in charity.
This Muslim group suffered from great bewilderment, and disorder prevailed among them. A lot of  them  got lost and did not know where to go. At this awkward time they heard someone calling: “Muhammad  is killed.” This news made them even more bewildered and almost out of sense. Their morale broke  down, or almost did in a great number of individuals. Some of them stopped fighting, slackened, and  cast down their weapons. Others thought of getting in touch with ‘Abdullah bin Ubai — the head of the  hypocrites — and seeking his assistance to fetch them a security pledge from Abu Sufyan.
Anas bin An-Nadr passed by those people who were shuddering of fear and panic, and inquired: “What  are you waiting for?” They said: “The Messenger of Allâh (Peace be upon him) has been killed.” “What  do you live for after Muhammad (Peace be upon him)? Come on and die for what the Messenger of
Allâh (Peace be upon him) has died for.” Then he said: “O Allâh I apologize for what these people (i.e.  the Muslims) have done; and I swear disavowal of what the idolaters have perpetrated.” Then he  moved on till he was encountered by Sa‘d bin Mu‘adh who asked him: “Where to, Abu ‘Umar?” Anas  replied: “Ah, how fine the scent of the Paradise is! I smell it here in Uhud.” He went on and fought  against the idolaters till he was killed. Nobody but his sister could recognize his dead body. It had  been  cut and stabbed by over eighty swords, arrows or spears. It was by the tip of his finger that she —  after  the battle — recognized him.
Thabit bin Ad-Dahdah called unto his people saying:
“O kinfolk of Helpers, if Muhammad (Peace be upon him) were killed, Allâh is Everlasting and He never