Marching out from Mecca
towards Medina on March 11, 625, the Meccans desired to avenge their losses at
Badr and strike back at Muhammad and his followers. The Muslims readied for war
soon afterward and the two armies fought on the slopes and plains of Mount ‘Uḥud.
Whilst heavily outnumbered,
the Muslims gained the early initiative and forced the Meccan lines back, thus
leaving much of the Meccan camp unprotected. When the battle looked to be only
one step far from a decisive Muslim victory, a serious mistake was committed by
a part of the Muslim army, which shifted the outcome of the battle. A breach of
Muhammad's orders by the Muslim archers,
who left their assigned posts to despoil the Meccan camp thinking the war ended,
allowed a surprise attack from the Meccan cavalry,
led by Meccan war veteran Khalid ibn al-Walid,
which brought chaos to the Muslim ranks. Many Muslims were killed,
including Hamza ibn 'Abd al-Muttalib,
Muhammad's uncle and foster brother. Muhammad himself got injured. The Muslims
had to withdraw up the slopes of ‘Uḥud. The Meccans did not pursue the Muslims
further, but marched back to Mecca declaring victory. The two armies would meet
again in 627 at the Battle of Trench.
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