The Rumour That He Had Been Killed

Some of the Muslims, when they saw the defeat, and when they heard the rumour that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) had been killed — because this rumour spread like wildfire through the Muslim army — reacted to it in different ways. The origin of the rumour was that he had been injured, but in such a state things can get blown out of proportion, and the rumour going around was that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) had in fact been killed. Some of them said, "We had better send an envoy to ʿAbdullāh ibn Ubayy and have him get us a truce from Abū Sufyān. Muḥammad has been killed — go back home before they get to you and kill you." Here were some Muslims who had been defeated, and the defeat had reached their hearts; under the pressure of the moment they thought the best course of action was to go to ʿAbdullāh ibn Ubayy, who had good relations with Quraysh, and ask him to bring a truce. Uḥud itself may not repeat, but this reaction can repeat in similar events — when Muslims are under pressure, and feel they could be defeated, some of them will think to go to governments or even to the enemies of Allah, Mighty and Majestic, and ask for a truce. This is a sign of weakness.

But the Muslims who had strong īmān in their hearts reacted differently. One of the Muhājirūn said that he passed by one of the Anṣār, a man covered in his own blood, soaked in it, and asked him, "Are you aware that Muḥammad has been killed?" The Anṣārī answered, "If Muḥammad has been killed, then he must have fulfilled his mission — so fight on for your religion. Let us die as he died, fighting for Islam." These are Muslims who could not be defeated in their hearts, even if they were defeated on the battlefield. Defeat would never get into their spirit; they always had this commitment, which in Islam is called thabāt, steadfastness. Never would such a Muslim try to negotiate with the enemy of Allah, Mighty and Majestic, or ask the hypocrites to appeal and intercede for them. If the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) had been killed, they were ready to die as he died — and this is the steadfastness to be learned from the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all.