In short
- Date
- Saturday, mid Shawwal 3 AH, March 625 CE
- Place
- Mount Uhud, north of Madinah
- Muslims
- About 1,000 set out; about 700 fought
- Quraysh
- About 3,000, led by Abu Sufyan
- Result
- The Muslims held the field early, then suffered heavy losses after the archers left the hill
- Losses
- 70 Muslims martyred, among them Hamzah
In short: in Shawwal 3 AH Quraysh marched on Madinah with about 3,000 men to avenge Badr. The Prophet ﷺ met them at Mount Uhud with about 700 after the hypocrite Abdullah ibn Ubayy turned back with his followers. He placed fifty archers on a hill and told them not to leave it whatever happened.1 The Muslims were winning when most of the archers came down for the spoils. Khalid ibn al-Walid, not yet Muslim, led the Quraysh cavalry round behind them. Seventy Muslims were martyred, among them the Prophet's ﷺ uncle Hamzah, and the Prophet ﷺ himself was wounded.
Why the battle happened
Badr had cost Quraysh their leaders and their pride, and their trade route to Syria was no longer safe. Abu Sufyan, now their leader, gathered an army of about 3,000 men from Quraysh and their allies, with women who came to urge them on, and marched north to Madinah.
The Prophet ﷺ consulted the Muslims. His own view was to stay in Madinah and defend it from the streets. Many of the younger Companions, especially those who had missed Badr, wanted to go out and meet the enemy, and he went out.2 On the way, Abdullah ibn Ubayy, the leader of the hypocrites, turned back with about a third of the army. Zayd ibn Thabit said the Companions then differed about the hypocrites, and the verse 4:88 was revealed.3
What happened
The archers on the hill
The Prophet ﷺ set the army with Mount Uhud behind it and placed fifty archers under Abdullah ibn Jubayr on a small hill, now called Jabal al-Rumah. He told them: "Do not leave your place, even if you see birds snatching us, until I send for you".1
From victory to loss
The Muslims attacked and the Quraysh line broke. Allah says: "Allah had certainly fulfilled His promise to you when you were killing the enemy by His permission" (3:152). Then most of the archers said the battle was won and went down for the spoils, although their commander reminded them of the order. Khalid ibn al-Walid saw the hill empty and led the Quraysh horsemen round behind the Muslims. Satan cried out, "Servants of Allah, behind you!", and the Muslim ranks fell on each other in the confusion.4 A rumour spread that Muhammad ﷺ had been killed, and many lost heart.2
Around the Prophet ﷺ
A small group stood firm around him. Abu Talhah stood in front of him with his leather shield and broke two or three bows shooting arrows that day.5 Saad ibn Abi Waqqas shot beside him, and the Prophet ﷺ said to him, "Shoot, may my father and mother be ransomed for you".6 His face was cut and a front tooth broken:
كَيْفَ يُفْلِحُ قَوْمٌ شَجُّوا نَبِيَّهُمْ وَكَسَرُوا رَبَاعِيَتَهُ وَهُوَ يَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَى اللَّهِ
"How can a people succeed who have wounded their prophet and broken his tooth, while he calls them to Allah?" Then Allah revealed: "Not for you is the decision" (3:128).
Sahih Muslim 1791 · narrated by Anas ibn Malik · sahih
The martyrs
Hamzah ibn Abd al-Muttalib, the Prophet's ﷺ uncle, was killed by a spear thrown by Wahshi, an Abyssinian slave promised his freedom for it. Wahshi later accepted Islam.7 Anas ibn al-Nadr, who had missed Badr, was found with more than eighty wounds.8 Mus'ab ibn Umayr was martyred and had nothing to be shrouded in but a short cloak.9 Before leaving, Abu Sufyan called out "Glory to Hubal", and the Prophet ﷺ had the Muslims answer, "Allah is our protector, and you have no protector".1
The next day the Prophet ﷺ led the wounded out after Quraysh as far as Hamra al-Asad, so that they would not think the Muslims were broken. Aishah said the verse 3:172 was revealed about those who answered that call.10
The numbers, and where the sources differ
| What the sources say | Source | |
|---|---|---|
| Muslims | About 1,000 set out; about 300 turned back with Abdullah ibn Ubayy, leaving about 700 | Ibn Hisham |
| Archers | 50, under Abdullah ibn Jubayr | Sahih al-Bukhari 3039 |
| Quraysh | About 3,000, with about 200 horses | Ibn Hisham; al-Raheeq al-Makhtum |
| Muslims martyred | 70 | Sahih al-Bukhari 3986 and 4078 |
| Quraysh losses | Ibn Ishaq names 22; other reports give more | Ibn Hisham; al-Raheeq al-Makhtum |
The day of the month is also reported differently: Ibn Ishaq gives 15 Shawwal, and others give the 7th or 11th. All agree on Shawwal 3 AH.
Verses revealed about Uhud
Surah Al-Imran 3:121-175 is about Uhud: the plan, the mistake, the loss, Allah's forgiveness and the honour of the martyrs.
وَلَا تَهِنُوا۟ وَلَا تَحْزَنُوا۟ وَأَنتُمُ ٱلْأَعْلَوْنَ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿١٣٩﴾ إِن يَمْسَسْكُمْ قَرْحٌۭ فَقَدْ مَسَّ ٱلْقَوْمَ قَرْحٌۭ مِّثْلُهُۥ ۚ وَتِلْكَ ٱلْأَيَّامُ نُدَاوِلُهَا بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَيَتَّخِذَ مِنكُمْ شُهَدَآءَ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ ﴿١٤٠﴾
Wa laa tahinoo wa laa tahzanoo wa antumul a'lawna in kuntum mu'mineen Iny-yamsaskum qarhum faqad massal qawma qarhum misluh; wa tilkal ayyaamu nudaawiluhaa bainan naasi wa liya'lamal laahul lazeena aamanoo wa yattakhiza minkum shuhadaaa'; wallaahu laa yuh ibbuz zaalimeen
(139) So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are [true] believers. (140) If a wound should touch you - there has already touched the [opposing] people a wound similar to it. And these days [of varying conditions] We alternate among the people so that Allah may make evident those who believe and [may] take to Himself from among you martyrs - and Allah does not like the wrongdoers -
Quran 3:139-140 · Sahih International · Read Surah Al-Imran
وَلَقَدْ صَدَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ وَعْدَهُۥٓ إِذْ تَحُسُّونَهُم بِإِذْنِهِۦ ۖ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فَشِلْتُمْ وَتَنَٰزَعْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَمْرِ وَعَصَيْتُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَآ أَرَىٰكُم مَّا تُحِبُّونَ ۚ مِنكُم مَّن يُرِيدُ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَمِنكُم مَّن يُرِيدُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ ۚ ثُمَّ صَرَفَكُمْ عَنْهُمْ لِيَبْتَلِيَكُمْ ۖ وَلَقَدْ عَفَا عَنكُمْ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ ذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ﴿١٥٢﴾
Wa laqad sadaqakumul laahu wa'dahooo iz tahussoo nahum bi iznihee hattaaa izaa fashiltim wa tanaaza'tum fil amri wa 'asaitum mim ba'di maaa araakum maa tuhibboon; minkum mai yureedud dunyaa wa minkum mai yureedul Aakhirah; summa sarafakum 'anhum sarafakum 'anhum liyabtaliyakum wa laqad 'afaa 'ankum; wallaahu zoo fadlin 'alal mu'mineen
And Allah had certainly fulfilled His promise to you when you were killing the enemy by His permission until [the time] when you lost courage and fell to disputing about the order [given by the Prophet] and disobeyed after He had shown you that which you love. Among you are some who desire this world, and among you are some who desire the Hereafter. Then he turned you back from them [defeated] that He might test you. And He has already forgiven you, and Allah is the possessor of bounty for the believers.
Quran 3:152 · Sahih International · Read Surah Al-Imran
وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌۭ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ ٱلرُّسُلُ ۚ أَفَإِي۟ن مَّاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ ٱنقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَٰبِكُمْ ۚ وَمَن يَنقَلِبْ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ فَلَن يَضُرَّ ٱللَّهَ شَيْـًۭٔا ۗ وَسَيَجْزِى ٱللَّهُ ٱلشَّٰكِرِينَ ﴿١٤٤﴾
Wa maa Muhammadun illaa Rasoolun qad khalat min qablihir Rusul; afa'im maata aw qutilan qalabtum 'alaaa a'qaabikum; wa mai yanqalib 'alaa aqibihi falai yadurral laaha shai'aa; wa sayajzil laahush shaakireen
Muhammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels [to unbelief]? And he who turns back on his heels will never harm Allah at all; but Allah will reward the grateful.
Quran 3:144 · Sahih International · Read Surah Al-Imran
وَلَا تَحْسَبَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ قُتِلُوا۟ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَمْوَٰتًۢا ۚ بَلْ أَحْيَآءٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ يُرْزَقُونَ ﴿١٦٩﴾
Wa laa tahsabannal lazeena qutiloo fee sabeelillaahi amwaata; bal ahyaaa'un 'inda Rabbihim yurzaqoon
And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision,
Quran 3:169 · Sahih International · Read Surah Al-Imran
Lessons from Uhud
- Obedience to the Prophet ﷺ is not optional, even when it seems the danger has passed.
- Love of the dunya can turn a victory into a loss: "Among you are some who desire this world" (3:152).
- Hardship is a test that shows who is sincere: "These days We alternate among the people" (3:140).
- The Muslims follow a message, not a man: "Muhammad is not but a messenger" (3:144). Abu Bakr recited this verse on the day the Prophet ﷺ died.
- Allah forgave those who turned back (3:155). Mistakes are not the end for a believer who returns to Allah.
- The martyrs are not dead: "they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision" (3:169). Read more on who the Sahaba are.
Where it fits in the seerah
Battle of Uhud took place in Shawwal 3 AH (March 625 CE). For the whole life of the Prophet ﷺ in order, from his birth in Makkah to his passing in Madinah, see the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ life timeline. All the battles and turning points are listed on the seerah page.
Before this: Battle of Badr · After this: Battle of the Trench (Khandaq)
Questions
When was the Battle of Uhud?
On a Saturday in Shawwal 3 AH, March 625 CE. Ibn Ishaq gives 15 Shawwal; other reports give the 7th or the 11th.
Why did the Muslims lose at Uhud?
They were winning, but most of the archers left their hill against the Prophet's ﷺ order to collect the spoils. Khalid ibn al-Walid led the Quraysh cavalry round behind them (Bukhari 3039, Quran 3:152).
How many Muslims were martyred at Uhud?
Seventy, according to al-Bukhari (3986, 4078). Most were from the Ansar. Hamzah, the Prophet's ﷺ uncle, was one of them.
Who killed Hamzah?
Wahshi ibn Harb, an Abyssinian slave of Jubayr ibn Mutim, who threw a spear at him. Wahshi later accepted Islam, and told the story himself (Bukhari 4072).
Where is Uhud?
Mount Uhud is just north of Madinah. The martyrs are buried at its foot, near the archers' hill, Jabal al-Rumah, and visitors to Madinah still go there.
Sources
- Sahih al-Bukhari 3039 and 4043, from al-Bara ibn Azib.
- Ibn Hisham, al-Sirah al-Nabawiyyah, from Ibn Ishaq: the Battle of Uhud.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 4050, from Zayd ibn Thabit.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 4065, from Aishah.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 4064, from Anas.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 4059, from Ali.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 4072, Wahshi's own account.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 2805, from Anas.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 1274.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 4077, from Aishah.
- Sahih Muslim 1791, from Anas.
- Sahih al-Bukhari 3986 and 4078.
- Safi al-Rahman al-Mubarakpuri, al-Raheeq al-Makhtum.
- Quran: Arabic from the Tanzil Uthmani text, transliteration from Tanzil, English by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic is the standard wording of the collection named; gradings are given for every hadith outside al-Bukhari and Muslim.