Belief in the Prophet

Belief in the Prophet

1985 4 April 14 Belief in the Prophet (343) A crucial mistake brought defeat upon the Muslims in the Battle of Uhud. When the tide of battle turned against them, most of the army dispersed but the Prophet Mohammad, may peace be upon him, clung determinedly to his position. Fifteen people, following his example, remained firm in the barrage of arrows and swords that was descending upon them. At this time one of the idolaters, an Abdullah Ibn Qumayya, threw a stone at the prophet. Mas’ab Ibn Umair, a companion of the Prophet, moved to counter this attack. In the dual that ensued Mas’ab Ibn Umair was slain. Abdullah Ibn Qumayya thought that he had killed the Prophet himself, and returned to his army shouting: “Mohammad has been slain; Mohammad has been slain.”

This news had a shattering effect on all the Muslims, even those who had forsaken their positions. Abdullah Ibn Abbas has given a lengthy account of the course of events, which has been recorded in Bukhari. Here is part of his account:

“Some hypocrites said: ‘If Mohammad has been killed then you might as well revert to your former religion.’ But Anis Ibn Nadhr said: ‘If Mohammad has been killed, his Lord has not.”

(Tafseer Mazhari).

According to another account, related by Ibn Kathir, one of the Ansar said: “If Mohammad has been killed then he has communicated his message; now is the time to fight for your faith.” The following verse of the Quran was revealed with regard to this incident:

“Mohammad is no more than an apostle: other apostles’ have passed away before him. If he die or be slain, will you recant? He that recants will do no harm to God. But God will reward the thankful” (3:144).

Some people just know the Prophet Mohammad in his capacity as a conqueror. Others know him in his capacity as a preacher of the faith – one who called mankind to God. The true believer is one who knows him in his latter capacity, for it is historians, not believers, who know him as a conqueror and nothing else.