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The situation gradually
became more desperate as the Muslims held on grimly and showed no
sign of breaking up. Abu Sufyan and Khalid both wanted a quick decision,
for the battle had gone on long enough. The Quraish therefore decided
to press harder and if possible get at the Prophet, as his death
would have the probable effect of ending resistance.
A strong group of Quraish infantry consequently
advanced against the Prophet. The Muslim defenders continued to
fight, and many of them were cut down. Three of the Quraish managed
to break through the cordon and got within stone throwing distance
of the Prophet. These three men were: Utbah bin Abi Waqqas, Abdullah
bin Shahab and Ibn Qamiah. They all began to hurl stones at the
Prophet.
The first (a brother of Sad) landed four
stones on the Prophet's face, broke two of the Prophet's lower teeth
and cut his lower lip. Abdullah managed to land one stone which
gashed the Prophet's forehead, while Ibn Qamiah with one stone cut
the Prophet's cheek and drove two links of the Prophet's chain helmet
into his cheek bone.
The Prophet fell to the ground as a result
of these blows and was helped up by Talha. At this moment the few
Muslims left with the Prophet counter-attacked fiercely and drove
the Quraish back. Sad dropped his bow, drew his sword and rushed
at his brother; but the latter outran him and took shelter in the
Quraish ranks. Sad was later to say that he had never wanted to
kill a man so badly as he wanted to kill his brother, Utbah, for
wounding the Prophet.
There was again a little respite in which
the Prophet wiped the blood from his face. As he did so he said,
"How can a people prosper who colour the face of their
Prophet with blood, while he calls them to their Lord!" 1
Abu Ubaidah, who was a bit of a surgeon, tried to pull out the two
links which had dug into the Prophet's cheek bone. Finally he had
to use his teeth to pull them out, and in the process lost two of
his teeth. He later became known among the Arabs as Al Asram,
i.e. the one without the incisors.
During this respite the Prophet regained
his strength and recovered from the physical shock of his wounds.
A black lady by the name of Umm Eiman, who had once nursed the Prophet
in his childhood, stood near him. From the Quraish ranks a man by
the name of Haban bin Al Arqa slowly walked up to within bow-range,
and fitting an arrow to his bow, shot it in the direction of the
lady who was standing with her back to him. The arrow struck Umm
Eiman in her backside. Haban found this terribly funny and roared
with laughter as he turned and began to walk back towards the Quraish.
The Prophet saw what had happened and was deeply angered. He took
an arrow from his quiver and gave it to Sad. "Shoot that
man", 2 he ordered. Sad fitted
the Prophet's arrow to his bow and, taking careful aim, fired it
at the infidel, hitting him in the neck. This time the Prophet laughed!
The Quraish now started their last onslaught
with violent assaults against the Prophet from all directions. The
cordon formed by the Companions was able to hold the attack at practically
all points; but at one place it was breached, and Ibn Qamiah broke
through again and rushed towards the Prophet. This man was one of
those who had struck the Prophet with stones in the previous phase
of the attack. Near the Prophet and a bit to his right, stood Mus'ab
bin Umair and a lady by the name of Umm Ammarah. This lady had given
up her task of carrying water to the wounded, and picking up a sword
and a bow from one of the dead, had actually taken part in the recent
fighting. She had brought down one horse and wounded one unbeliever.
Ibn Qamiah mistook Mus'ab for the Prophet
and rushed at him. Mus'ab was waiting for him with drawn sword and
they began to duel. After a few passes, Ibn Qamiah struck Mus'ab
bin Umair and killed him with a deadly blow.
As he fell, Umm Ammarah rushed at Ibn Qamiah
and struck him on the shoulder with her sword. Ibn Qamiah wore a
coat of mail, and since the blow lacked the power of muscle behind
it, it did no damage. In return Ibn Qamiah struck the lady on her
shoulder with his sword, but as it was a hasty blow it did not kill
her. It just made a deep gash in her shoulder as a result of which
the lady fell and was unable to move for some time.
1. Ibn Hisham: Vol. 2, p. 80: Waqidi: Maghazi
p. 191.
2. Waqidi:
Maghazi, p. 189.
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