After reciting Tashahhud, Ta`awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) said that he would continue mentioning details regarding the Battle of Hunain.
A Dream Fulfilled
His Holiness (aba) said that upon departing from Makkah, the Holy Prophet (sa) appointed Hazrat Utab bin Asib as the leader of Makkah in his stead. He was the first leader of Makkah to be appointed by the Holy Prophet (sa). Hazrat Utab (ra) used to be a staunch opponent of Islam. On the day of the Conquest of Makkah when Hazrat Bilal (ra) made the call for prayer, Utab told his friends that he was happy that his father had passed away before having to hear this call for prayer. However, later, Utab would go on to accept Islam during the Conquest of Makkah. The Holy Prophet (sa) had once seen in a dream that Utab’s father had accepted Islam and was a governor over Makkah. This dream was fulfilled through his son, Utab’s (ra) acceptance of Islam. In another narration, it is recorded that the Holy Prophet (sa) saw Utab (ra) knocking at the doors of heaven. Whilst appointing him the ruler over Makkah, the Holy Prophet (sa) advised Utab (ra) to treat the people of Makkah with kindness. He remained in this post until the demise of the Holy Prophet (sa) and some narrations say he remained in this position through the caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).
Journey for the Battle of Hunain
His Holiness (aba) said that the Holy Prophet (sa) departed towards Hunain on Satruday 6 Shawwal and reached Hunain on 10 Shawwal. Hazrat Umm Salamah (ra) and Hazrat Zainab (ra) accompanied the Holy Prophet (sa) on this journey. It is recorded that the Muslim army was the largest it had been and the most equipped of all the battles that had been fought to that point. The Holy Prophet (sa) set out with 12,000 Muslims; 10,000 companions from Madinah and 2,000 new Muslims from Makkah.
His Holiness (aba) said that along the way to Hunain, there was a large tree called Dhat Anwat which was greatly revered by the idolators. As the caravan passed by the tree, some of the Makkan new converts requested the Holy Prophet (sa) to appoint a similar tree for them. The Holy Prophet (sa) responded saying that they had said the same thing that Moses’ (as) people said to him:
‘“O Moses, make for us a god just as they have gods.” He said, ‘Surely, you are an ignorant people.’ (The Holy Qur’an, 7:139)
The Holy Prophet (sa) said that they would have a similar fate to those people if they maintained the same mindset.
His Holiness (aba) said that some from among the Makkans who weren’t Muslims also accompanied the army. In fact, even some women accompanied the army out of their curiosity to see the result of the battle, thinking that if the Muslims won then they would receive from the spoils of war. It is recorded that 80 idolaters accompanied the Muslim army. The Holy Prophet (sa) did not seek the help of these people, as it was not his practice to include idolaters in the Muslim army, even in previous battles where the Muslims were much smaller in number. In this instance, these were people who of their own accord followed the Muslim army merely as observers and out of desire to obtain spoils of war.
His Holiness (aba) said that along the way, whenever someone’s shield or other equipment would fall, Hazrat Sufyan bin Harb (ra) would pick it up to the point that his camel became loaded with the equipment of others. One person from the army who had gone ahead came back and informed the Holy Prophet (sa) that he had seen the army of the Hawazin from a mountain he climbed and observed that their army had brought with it their women and livestock. Hearing this news, the Holy Prophet (sa) smiled and said that this would all become part of their spoils the very next day.
His Holiness (aba) said that the next morning, after the morning prayer, the Holy Prophet (sa) said to rejoice and informed the people that the person he had appointed to stand guard through the night was returning. The Holy Prophet (sa) asked if he had left his post during the night to which he said that he had not exept to offer prayer or answer the call of nature. The Holy Prophet (sa) said that he was destined for heaven.
Arrival at Hunain
His Holiness (aba) said on 10 Shawwal the Holy Prophet (sa) arrived at Hunain. The Hawazin commissioned spies to find out more about the Muslim army. When the spies went back to their army, they were in a state of shock. They said that they saw white men riding their horses. They said that if there was a battle they would not be able to contend. They said that if they were unable to fight those on earth then how could they fight those in the skies. They advised to avoid any sort of battle, however the leaders of the army suppressed this news so that it would not alarm the rest of the army. Instead, the Hawazing army sent one of their bravest men to also find out about the Muslim army. He returned and also said that he had seen white men riding horses whom he could not even look towards. He said that this army could not be defeated, however Malik bin Auf was not bothered. Commentators believe that it could be that these people saw angels, or that God caused the awe of the Muslim army to be struck in their hearts.
His Holiness (aba) said that the enemy army numbered 30,000. Some narrations record 20,000 and some even 4,000. The explanation for this is that the actual number of soldiers in the army was 20,000 and if their women and children are included then it becomes 30,000. There was also a contingent of archers who Malik bin Auf hid in the valleys to wage a surprise attack against the Muslims, and this contingent numbered 4,000. The arrangement of the enemy army was that the horse riders were in the initial ranks, followed by those on foot, then the women and children upon camels and behind them was their wealth and livestock.
His Holiness (aba) said that the Holy Prophet (sa) appointed Khalid bin Walid (ra) as the commander of a contingent that went ahead of the army. Then the Holy Prophet (sa) arranged the army into the right flank, left flank and the center flank, The Holy Prophet (sa) was in the center and he also handed out the large flags among the Muslims along with more than 20 smaller flags.
His Holiness (aba) said that on the day of Hunain, one of the Muslims said that they would not lose on account of their large numbers. The Holy Prophet (sa) did not like this statement, and the Holy Qur’an also records a a disliking for this statement:
‘When your great numbers made you proud.’ (The Holy Qur’an, 9:25)
The Phases of the Battle of Hunain
His Holiness (aba) said that the Muslims were initially winning the battle, but then the enemy launched a strong attack which caused disarray and temporary defeat, however ultimately the Muslims proved victorious. The archers who had been hiding were the ones to launch the surprise attack, which caused complete disarray amongst the Muslim army leaving just the Holy Prophet (sa) and a few of his companions standing alone in the battlefield. However the Holy Prophet (sa) called them all back, leading to a strong attack by the Muslims which ultimately resulted in their victory. This is recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari as narrated by Bara’ bin Azib (ra) who says, ‘We attacked the Banu Hawazin, and they fled. When the Muslims started collecting the war booty, the pagans faced us with arrows causing the helpless soldiers to flee, but Allah’s Messenger (sa) did not flee. No doubt, I saw him on his white mule and Abu Sufyan was holding its reins and the Prophet (sa) was saying, “I am the Prophet in truth: I am the son of `Abdul Muttalib.”’
His Holiness (aba) said that based on this narration, there were three parts to the battle: the first attack launched by the Muslims causing defeat to the enemy army, upon seeing which some Muslims started collecting spoils. The second part was when the hidden contingent of archers launched a surprise attack agains the Muslims and in order to save themselves the Muslims – who included new Muslims – ran to safety. This caused the Muslim army to disperse. The third part of the battle is when the Muslim army regrouped and waged a decisive attack delivering the final blow to the Banu Hawazin. It is recorded that when the Muslim army dispersed, the Holy Prophet (sa) remained firmly standing in the battlefield and at one point was alone in advancing towards the enemy army. The Holy Prophet (sa) instructed Hazrat Abbas (ra) to call out to the Muslims who had pledged allegiance at Aqabah to return. Hearing this call, they raced back and started fiercely fighting against the enemy army. Some narrations record that at the time the Muslim army dispersed, there remained anywhere between 4-300 people around the Holy Prophet (sa) at a given time. There are also narrations indicating that not everyone from the Muslim army fled, rather it was those who were not yet strong in their faith, such as those from Makkah who had only just accepted Islam.
His Holiness (aba) said that he would continue mentioning these details in teh future.
Commencement of Jalsa Salana Germany
His Holiness (aba) said that the Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) in Germany is commencing today. All the attendees should pray that Allah enables them to achieve the purpose of the Jalsa. They should not come together thinking this to be a mere gathering, rather they should vow to increase in their intellectual, practical and spiritual states during these days. Attendees should spend their time in the remembrance of Allah and prayer, praying for the progress of the Community and to be safeguard against the evil of the mischief mongers.
Appeal for Prayers
His Holiness (aba) said to pray for the general state of the world and for its peace. Worldly people are advancing towards destruction due to their own actions.
His Holiness (aba) also said to pray for the Palestinians. The Israeli government had crossed all bounds in perpreating cruelties and injustices. It seems they wish to completely eradicate the Palestinians from the face of the earth. It is a mass killing in all directions. Now, even some politicians and governments of the world are calling for an end to this, however Israel is not prepared to listen even to them. The intoxication of wealth and power has taken Israel, America and their allies to the heights of arrogance and cruelty. Muslim nations are not doing anything either. If they cannot do anything the least they could do is change their own ways and bow down before God. Muslims are also perpetrating injustices against Muslims. May Allah save them from this.
His Holiness (aba) said that today, it is the duty of Ahmadis to speak up against injustices, wherever they may be, and to offer prayers. May Allah enable it to be so.
Summary prepared by The Review of Religions
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