After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) said that he had been mentioning the Battle of Uhud in reference to the life of the Holy Prophet (sa).
Steadfastness of the Companions in Battle
His Holiness (aba) said that the Holy Prophet (sa) was closest to the enemy and there were fifteen people who steadfastly remained by his side. Some narrations mention 30 people, others 11, 8, or 9. The possible explanation for this difference in numbers could be that the number of people around the Holy Prophet (sa) changed during the course of the battle, and whichever number a companion saw around the Holy Prophet (sa) at the time is the number that they related.
His Holiness (aba) said that it is also recorded that the Holy Prophet (sa) took an oath from 8 companions in which they pledged to lay down their lives. These included Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), Hazrat Umar (ra), Hazrat Ali (ra), Hazrat Talhah (ra), Hazrat Zubair (ra), Hazrat Sa’d (ra), Hazrat Sahl bin Hunaif (ra), Hazrat Abu Dujanah (ra), Hazrat Harith bin Asimmah (ra), Hazrat Khubab bin Mundhir (ra), Hazrat Asim bin Thabit (ra). However, none of these companions were martyred in the battle.
His Holiness (aba) quoted Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) who writes:
‘The feats of valour that were displayed by the companions who had gathered around the Holy Prophet (sa) were such that history is unable to present the like thereof. These people would revolve around the Holy Prophet (sa) like moths around a flame and continuously put their lives at stake for the Holy Prophet (sa). The Companions would take every blow upon themselves and along with protecting the Holy Prophet (sa) they would continue to strike the enemy.’
(The Life and Character of the Seal of Prophets (as), Vol. 2, pp. 337-338)
His Holiness (aba) further quoted Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) who writes,
‘But how long could these few devotees withstand this grand flood, which was ravaging forward moment by moment from all fronts with its horrific waves. The Muslims would sway from side to side with every wave of every attack waged by the enemy, but as soon as its force would somewhat subside, these helpless Muslims would continue fighting and close in around their beloved Master. At times, the force of the attack would be so perilous that the Holy Prophet (sa) would practically be left standing alone. There was one occasion when only twelve men were left standing around the Holy Prophet (sa), and there was even a time when only two people were left standing by the Holy Prophet (sa). Among these devotees the names of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), Ali (ra), Talhah (ra), Zubair (ra), Sa‘d bin Waqqas (ra), Abu Dujanah Ansari (ra), Sa‘d bin Mu‘adh (ra) and Talhah Ansari (ra) have been especially recorded.’
(The Life and Character of the Seal of Prophets (as), Vol. 2, p. 338)
His Holiness (aba) said that this also explains the matter of how many Companions remained around the Holy Prophet (sa), and that it would change during the course of battle.
Answer to the Allegation that the Muslims Performed Tauriah
His Holiness (aba) quoted the Promised Messiah (as) about Tauriah, which means to say something that is different from what is in the heart or has double meaning. In response to an allegation made by a Christian, the Promised Messiah (as) sai