THE BATTLE OF UHUD

The Battle of Uhud

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Sent By: Bint Arshad

 When the Muslims won the battle of Badr against all odds, the pride of the Qurayshites was badly wounded. The whole of Makkah reverberated with the sounds of revenge. It was the custom of the Arabs to lament loudly at some loss and compose poetry of the sad event. The feeling for revenge was so great that they forbade any gloomy echo to escape their lips lest the Muslims feel that they had won a great victory over them which was actually the case.
 The Makkans gathered their resources and all decided to use them against the Muslims in an all out war to restore their pride amongst the rest of Arabia. The most enthusiastic of these were Ikramak bin Abi Jahl, 
Safwan bin Umayyah, Abu Sufyan bin Harab, and Abdullah bin Abi Rabi’a. They planned and plotted with every cunning, wealth, and man power they had. They sent emissaries to all the surrounding areas to call the tribes to this common cause and managed to get the support of two well-known ones, Kinana and Tihama, and some desert Bedouins the Ahabish. The profits of the caravan that escaped from the Muslims at Badr were all donated for the war. They amounted to 1000 camels and 50 thousand Dinars. It would be used for providing equipment to the army of Makkah. The Qur’an alludes to this incident as follows:
 The Unbelievers spend their wealth to hinder (man) from the path of Allah, and so will they continue to spend; but in the end they will have (only) regrets and sighs; at length they will be overcome: and the Unbelievers will be gathered together to Hell;- (8:36)
 They also hired poets to entice the people into fighting with the Muslims. Abul Azza, the poet, who had been caught at Badr and then released by Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam only on the condition that he would not take part in any fight against Muslims, was recruited for this work. It was also decided to take along the womenfolk so they could encourage the men to valor.
 Among those who joined the new army was an Abyssinian slave called Wahshi, who was known for his accuracy with the spear. His master, Jubayr Ibn Al-Mut'im said to him, ”Go with the army and if you kill Hamzah, the uncle of Muhammad, in revenge for my uncle's death, I will set you free."
 When Hind, the wife of Abu Sufyan, heard about this she sent a message to Wahshi to say that she would clothe him in gold and silk if he would carry out his master's wish, for she, too, wanted Hamzah dead because the latter had killed both her father and brother.  
 At the beginning of the new year everything was ready and a body of three thousand armed warriors: seven hundred mailed soldiers, two hundred well-mounted cavalry, three thousand camels, and fifteen women proceeded towards Madinah. The leader was Abu Sufyan bin Harab, the cavalry was headed by Khalid bin Walid, assisted by Ikramah bin Abi Jahal. The flag was entrusted to Bani ‘Abd ad Dar.
 Abbaas bin Abd al Muttalib, the uncle of Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam who had not yet declared his faith, was quietly watching all these preparations from the sidelines of Makkah. He sent a detailed message to his nephew (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) who was at Quba at the time he received the letter. He hurried back to Madinah and held a meeting with the Muhajireen (Emigrants) and Ansaar (Helpers). The whole of Madinah was put on high alert and all men were heavily armed even during prayer in anticipation of any emergency. A group of Helpers volunteered to guard the Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam and kept a watchful eye all night at his door, amongst the guards were Sa’ad bin Mu’az, Usayd bin Hudayr and Sa’ad bin ‘Ubadah. Armed groups of the Madinites began to police the entrances and roads leading to the city. Rasulullah sallallahu'alaihi wasallam sent out scouts to patrol the routes for any enemy raids.Serious consultation followed as to the measures to be taken. 
Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam had seen a dream which he repeated to his sahabah, he said, He said: “By Allah, I have dreamt of ( I implore Allâh to be a dream of bounty) cows slaughtered and that there was a groove at the pointed top of my sword, and that I had inserted my hand into an immune armour.”
The interpretation of slaughtered cows was that some of the Companions would be killed, and the groove at the pointed top of his sword was that a member of his House would be hurt. As for the armour it was Madinah. 
Then he offered a suggestion that his Companions should not go out of Madinah and that they should encamp themselves within the city. He was of the opinion that the enemies should be left in the open to exhaust themselves and thus the Muslims would not risk a battle. But if they thought of attacking Madinah, Muslim men would be ready to fight them at the mouths of lanes; whereas Muslim-women would help from over the roofs of houses. Abdullah bin Ubay the head of the hypocrites; who attended the meeting as a chief of Al-Khazraj, supported the Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam’s plan.
As a matter of fact his agreement was not based on the righteousness of the plan but rather on personal benefit. He did not want to fight. On the contrary he secretly aimed at being far away from the fight. However it was Allah’s Will that he should be disclosed and disgraced in public for the first time. 
But the young Muslims, who had not had a chance to fight in the Battle of Badr, were eager to go out and face the Quraysh. They said, "O Messenger of Allah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam, lead us out against our enemies, or else they will think we are too cowardly and too weak to fight them.”
When the Messenger of Allah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam saw that the majority were in favor of going out to meet Quraysh, he agreed.
Meanwhile, the people had repented their outspokenness, saying they thought they had persuaded the Messenger of Allah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam against his will, which they had no right to. Thus when he went out to them they admitted as much and said that if he wished to remain inside the city, they would not oppose him. But Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam pointed out,
" It is not fitting that a prophet who has put on his armor should lay it aside until he has fought."
Therefore, he marched out with a thousand of his Companions. When they reached Al-Shaout between Madinah and Uhud, Abdullah Ibn Ubay, the Munafiq (hypocrite), withdrew with a third of the men. 
About those who withdrew with Ibn Ubay, Allah, Most High, says in the Glorious Qur'an,
" What you suffered on the day the two armies met, was with the leave of Allah, in order that He might test the believers) and the hypocrites also. These were told: 'Come, fight in the way of Allah, or (at least) drive (the foe from your city).' They said: 'Had we know there would be a fight, we should certainly have followed you.' They were that day nearer to unbelief than to faith, saying with their lips what was not in their hearts. But Allah hath full knowledge of all they conceal. (3: 167) "
Al-Bukhari narrated on the authority of Zaid Ibn Thabit radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh who said, "When the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) set out for (the battle of) Uhud, some of those who had gone out with him, returned. The Companions of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) were divided into two groups: One group said, 'We will fight them (i.e., the enemy),' and other group said, 'We will not fight them.' So there came the Divine Revelation:
" Why should ye be divided onto two parties about the hypocrites? Allah hath cast them off for their (evil) deeds. (An-Nisa: 88) "
Meanwhile the Makkan army continued to proceed on the usual western road. At Abwa where the mother of the Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam is buried, Abu Sufyaan’s wife, Hind bin ‘Utbah, suggested they dig up the grave, but the leaders of the party refused to do so for fear of the serious consequences that could follow.
The army then followed Wadi Al-‘Aqeeq and turned right to encamp themselves at a place called Al-‘Ainayn near Uhud Mountain. That was on Friday, 6th Shawwal, 3 A.H.
 The aim of hypocrite Abdullah bin Ubay in deserting the army was to produce bewilderment, confusion, and disorder amongst the Muslim army; to destroy their morale; and to reclaim the position of leadership of Madinah after (na’udhubillah), the Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam and many of his companions would certainly be killed, in his opinion, due to shortness of numbers. The Banu Haritha of Aws and the Banu Salamah of Khazraj were overwhelmed by the hypocrite’s behaviour and started to withdraw; but Allah ta’ala saved them from disgrace by revealing the following verse:
“When two parties from among you were about to lose their heart, but Allah was their Wali (Supporter and Protector). And in Allah should the believers put their trust.  [3:122]

This brought peace once again and Banu Salamah and Banu Harithah were saved from following the hypocrites; Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam proceeded with the remainder of his 700 men. The camp of the idolaters was situated at such a place that many roads leading to Uhud were blocked by it, so Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam asked,

“Which man of you can lead us to where the people (i.e. the
idolaters) are, along a short track that does not pass by
them?”
Abu Khaitama said,
“I am the man you need!”
He led the army through a short track leaving the idolaters army towards the west. Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam went along till they climbed down the Uhud into the valley. There the Muslim army camped with Uhud at their backs and the enemy between them and their beloved city, Madinah.

THE ARMY:
Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam had divided the army into three battalions:
1. Al-Muhajireen Battalion commanded by Mus’ab bin ‘Umayr radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh.
2. Al-Asanri Aws Battalion commanded by Usayd bin Hudayr radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh.
3. Al-Ansari Khazraj Battalion commanded by Hubab bin Mundhir.

The standard was in the hands of Mus’ab bin ‘Umayr radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh, Zubayr bin Awwam radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh commanded the cavalry, and Hamzah bin ‘Abdul Mutthalib radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh was in charge of the infantry.
Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam now arranged his army in two rows. There was a mountain pass from where the Muslims could be subjected to a surprise attack, the Messenger sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam ordered fifty other skillful archers under Abdullah bin Jubayr radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh to position themselves on a mountain at the south bank of the mountain pass, later called Mount Rumat. He sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam clarified their mission in these words,

“Drive off the horses from us by means of arrows, lest they should attack us from behind. Whether we win the battle or lose it, stand steadily in your positions and mind that we are not attacked by your side.” He sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam added,
“Defend our backs! If you see us slain, do not come to assist us; and if you see us gaining ground, do not share us.”

It is also reported that he sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said,
“If you see birds fly off with our flesh, you must not move away from your place.”

On the right wing Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam appointed Mundhir bin ‘Amr radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh; on the left he appointed Zubayr bin Awwam radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh with Miqdad bin Aswad radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh as his associate. Hadhrat Zubayr was to stand fast in the face of Khalid bin Walid’s horsemen. The front line was composed of a group of the bravest of men that were said to be equal to a thousand in courage, strength and dexterity.

The war plan was a genius in military strategy. Although the Madinites had reached the battleground later than the Makkans, yet they had managed to secure the better positions.
The army was now ready on the 7th of Shawwal 3 A.H.

PROMOTING THE COURAGE OF HIS ARMY

Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam ordered his men not to fight until he gave the order. Then he encouraged them by first putting on a front and back armour and then urging his Companions to keep their determination and steadfastness in battle. Then he took a sharp sword in his hand and called out, “Who is ready to take this sword and pay its proper due?”
Every sahabah coveted the blade, among whom were Ali, Zubayr, and ‘Umar radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anhum. But Allah’s messenger desisted until Abu Dujana radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh asked,
“What is its price?”
Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said,
“To strike at the enemy’s face until it is bent.”
Abu Dujana said,
“Ya Rasulullah! I will take it at that price!”
To the consternation of many Sahabah, he was granted the sword. As soon as he took it, he wound a red band around his head. This band was a symbol that he was ready to fight to death.

THE MAKKAN ARMY
The Makkans arranged their army in rows. The general leadership was entrusted to Abu Sufyan bin Harab in the center, Khalid bin Walid was on the right wing, while Ikramah bin abi Jahl on the left, Safwan bin Umayyah was in charge of the infantry. The standard bearers were the customary Bani Abd ad Dar.
The Quraysh women wandered among their army banging on their tambourines and inflaming the emotions of the men to encourage them to fight. This procession was headed by Hind bint Utabh, the wife of Abu Sufyan bin Harab.
THE FIRST PART OF THE COMBAT
The two armies now faced each other. The traditional single combat was started by one of the bravest men on the Makkan side, Talhah bin Abi Talhah, the standard bearer. He came on a camel to the forefront and challenged the Muslims. Zubayr bin Awwam radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh advanced with sword in hand and like lightening jumped onto the mushrik’s camel, swung him off his mount, and finished him in the space of a few seconds.
Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam was watching and exclaimed, “Allahu Akbar!!” all the Muslims echoed him and shouted the same words, their spirits high with this first victory.
Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam praised Zubayr radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh with these words,
“Every prophet has a hawari (disciple) and my hawari is Zubayr.”
Talhah’s brother ran forward and seized the standard that had fallen from his hand. Hamzah bin ‘Abd al Mutthalib radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh advanced from the Muslims’ side and dealt him a fatal blow. The flag was then raised by Abu Saeed bin Abi Talhah who was hit either by an arrow from Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqaas radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh or it is also said that by the sword of Hadhrat ‘Ali radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh.
One by one all of the men of the Bani ‘abd ad Dar, the standard bearers, were killed off. When no man of theirs remained to hold the charge entrusted to them, their slave, Sawab, took it up and carried it steadily and faithfully till his death. After that the flag lay in the dust of the valley.
While the centre for the fight had been the flag bearers, bitter struggle was raging all over the battleground. The motto of the Muslims for that day was “I seek death!”; their spirit flowed like raging tides making them an unreckonable force.
Abu Dujana radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh, with his red band on his head and the sword of his beloved Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam in his hand cut through the ranks of the mushrikeen, paying its price as he had promised.
Hamzah bin ‘Abd al Mutthalib radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh was fighting like a furious lion. He had torn into the enemy lines and cut the infantry and horsemen like so much grass with his sword. The Makkans had already decided to have Hadhrat Hamzah assassinated, not by the fair methods of fight but deviously, because they knew no one could stand in front of the Lion and not be struck. His assassin was Wahshi, who later accepted Islam. He used to describe, with tears running down his face, how he had killed Hadhrat Hamzah radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh,
“I was a slave working for Jubayr bin Mut’im, whose paternal uncle Tu’aimah bin ‘Adi had been killed at the Battle of Badr. When the Quraysh were about to leave for Uhud, Jubayr bin Mut’im said to me, ‘If you kill the uncle of Muhammad as compensation for of my uncle, you will be free.”’
Wahshi says, “In response to this (implausible offer) I agreed and set out with the people to Uhud. I was a black man and an expert like the blacks in spearing; my target seldom wavered. When the war started, I set out to seek Hamzah (radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh). My eyes were in search of him, and at last I recognized him in a crowd of people. Like a gray camel he was wrecking havoc among the people.
“By Allah! I was getting ready to assassinate him by taking cover behind a tree or rock hoping he would come nearer when I saw Sibaa bin Abdul ‘Uzza advance before me and confront him. He (Hamzah) challenged him with the words, ‘O the son of a circumciser! Take this!’, and he struck so hard that his (Sibaa’s) head was gone as if it had never been there.”
Wahshi further says, “At that moment I balanced my spear and when it was as evenhanded as I wished it to be, I thrust it at him. The spear pierced him below the navel and come out between the legs. He tried to come towards me but was overcome by his wound. I left him as he was until he died and then went and pulled out my spear and went back to the army. I had no interest in anyone beside him; I had killed him merely for my freedom. When I reached Makkah, I was freed.”
Although, the death of “Asadullah”, the Lion of Allah, was a severe blow to the Muslims, they still maintained control over the war by the courageousness of other sahabah-e-kiraam like Hadhrat Abu Bakr, Hadhrat Umar bin Khattab, Hadhrat Ali, Hadhrat Zubayr, Mus’ab bin Umayr, Hadhrat Talhah bin Ubaydullah, Hadhrat Abdullah bin Jahash, Saeed bin Rabea, Anas bin Nadhr radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anhum and others.
Khalid bin Walid had so far attacked the archers on Mount Ruamt three, times to no avail. They had defended their front with deftness and resoluteness leaving Khalid bin Walid and his horsemen to return defeated.
The Muslims were in full command of the situation, with their spirits high and souls fearless. It seemed as if the three thousand idolaters had been fighting thirty thousand Muslims and not merely hundreds. The Makkan army had finally had enough, their will was broken, their strength spent; they fled the battle ground in such confusion that their standard was trampled on by their own men and no one had the courage to lift it up.
Abdullah bin Zubayr quotes his father as saying,
“By Allah! I saw Hind bin ‘Utbah and her accompanying women showing their calves, they were running away lifting their clothes; nothing barred us from capturing them.”
It is related in the Sahih Bukhari by Hadhrat Bar’a bin Azib that, “When we were confronted with the mushrikeen, they were in disorder, until I saw the women lifting their garments high and running swiftly away, showing their anklets. In the chaos, the Muslims would attack the mushrikeen and collect the booty while running after them.” 
The Makkan army was fleeing and the Muslims once again had a resounding success over their enemies despite their small number. They were jubilant, and started collecting the war spoils that were their right. The booty would release in some measure the poverty many of them had been living in.
The archers on Mount Rumat saw the victory of their army and thought that the battle was over. They said to themselves,
‘God has defeated the enemy, and our brothers are collecting the spoils. Let us go and join them.’
Forty of the men decided to climb down and help the others, they thought that the orders of the Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam were effectual till the end of the battle and did not go beyond. However, their leader Abdullah bin Jubayr radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh tried to stop them saying that they should move only when Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam gave them leave to and not before; nine others stayed with him, while the rest descended.
There is a point here that most authors neglect. They claim that the archers went down in their greed for the provisions the fleeing army had left, so they would not be bereft of their share. But what should be considered is that the rule for the distribution of booty is that all will be collected by whomever it is possible, then gathered at one place to be distributed evenly by the general. So the allegation cannot be possible. This mistake, however terrible it proved to be for the rest of the Muslims, was just that, a mistake on their part of understanding their General sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam’s orders.
Khalid bin Walid, fleeing on his horse, chanced to look behind him, as he did so, he saw the inadequately defended gully and at once turned back the reins of his mount crying out for others to follow him. They reached the remaining archers and although they fought valiantly, Abdullah bin Jubayr and his men were martyred. The Makkan army saw what had happened and retraced their steps. A woman ran forward and picked up the standard of the mushrikeen from the dust of the valley and held it aloft. Swiftly the Makkan army rallied around and attacked the Muslims from all sides. Their chief aim was to find and either kill or capture the Messenger of Allah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam.
TRAPPED
The Muslim army was now between the mushrikeen from both the side of the gorge and from the front. Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam was, at that time at the back of the army viewing the battle scene with nine of his sahabah. Khalid bin Walid had taken him by surprise. There were now two options left to him: either move away with his present companions to a safe place in the mountains, or to rally his army and give them support through his company and words so they could fight afresh.
This was a delicate situation but it shows the unmatched valour and courage of our Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam and his preference of the lives of his sahabah over his own; he had chosen the latter option. He called out,
“O slaves of Allah!! Here…….!”
Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam knew that his voice would reach the mushrikeen before his companions because of their vicinity. And that is indeed what happened. A group of the idolaters leapt towards him.
The cavalry of the mushrikeen was herding the Muslims who had lost all sense except that of the natural instinct of fleeing to safety. Some of them ran to Madinah, some scrabbled up the mountain, others got mixed up with the Makkan army; no one seemed to know who was friend or foe. Suddenly the cry was heard,
“Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam) has been killed!”
This resulted in total bewilderment and most of the Muslims lost heart completely. Hadhrat bin Nadhar radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh passed by one such group and asked what had happened to them. They said,
“Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam has been killed!”
He said, “So what will you live for now? Get up and give your life for that for which Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam gave his…..”
Another companion Thabit bin Wahdah radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh called to his tribe, “If Muhammad sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam has been killed, Allah is still alive! He cannot die! Fight for your Deen, Allah will give you victory!
On this, a group of the Ansaar (Helpers) stood up again and started to wage war.
One of the Muhajirs (Emigrants) passed an Ansaari lying there covered in his own blood; he said in despair, “Do you know Muhammad sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam has been killed?”
The Ansaari answered, “If Muhammad sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam has been killed, he has conveyed the religion of Allah, now it is your duty to fight for its protection.”
Incidents like this steadily built up the lost morale of the Muslims and they started to get up and struggle once again against the polytheists.
Then news reached them that the reports of the death of their beloved Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam had been false, this surged their courage and they started gathering together once more for a fierce and relentless battle.
The events that followed the call of the Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam to his sahabah are unmatched in history for love, devotion, courageousness, and gallantry.
The Makkans had heard the voice and rushed towards Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam in hordes. At that time only nine guards were protecting the Messenger, all ready to give their lives to defend him. One by one all were martyred until there remained only Talhah bin ‘Ubaydullah radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh and Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqas radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh. The Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam was slowly being backed towards Mount Uhud with the mushrikeen advancing towards them. ‘Utbah bin Abi Waqqas threw rocks at the Messenger injuring his lower lip and knocking out the lower right incisor. Abdullah bin Shihab wounded his forehead. Abdullah bin Qami’ah came on horseback and struck Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam with immense force on his head. Hadhrat Talhah who was standing before Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam intercepted the blow and the sword glanced off the holy head, striking his cheek and falling on his shoulder. Two rings of his helmet embedded in the upper part of the cheek. Blood was running down his face and while wiping it he said, “(I wonder) how the people can thrive or be successful who cut the face of their Prophet and break his tooth, though he was calling them to worship Allah.”
Allah ta’ala did not like these words from the mouth of his most dear slave even in such harsh circumstances and He admonished him with the verse,
“Not for you (O Muhammad, but for Allah) is the decision; whether He turns in mercy to them or punishes them; verily they are the zalimun.” (3:128)
The two soldiers now guarding their Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam were doing the job of a whole battalion. They used swords and arrows so skillfully that they were able to hold off the idolaters from their beloved Rasul sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam.
Hadhrat Talhah took up the main fight after the death of the seven companions and fought more than all of them together till his hand was hurt and the fingers of one hand either cut off or paralyzed. It is said that he received nearly forty wounds in defending the Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam who said in reward of his fearless defense, “Whoever wishes to see a martyr walking the earth, let him see Talhah bin ‘Ubaydullah.”
Abu Bakr radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh used to say about Uhud, “That was Talhah’s day!”
Sa’ad bin abi Waqqas was an expert in archery. Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam emptied his own quiver for him and said, “Shoot! May my father and mother be sacrificed for you!”
This was the highest of honours for Rasulullah had never before nor afterwards said these words to anyone else.
All of this happened at a very fast pace. Hearing the voice of Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam, his closest companions had already turned back and were heading in his direction. Hadhrat Abu Bakr radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh relates, “When it was Uhud Day and at the time that the Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam was left behind, I was the first to go back and see him. Before him I saw a man fighting to shield him from the enemies. I said to myself: “I wish he were Talha. Let my father and mother be sacrificed for you. (O Allah) Let him be Talha! Let my parents be sacrificed for you!” On the way, I was overtaken by Abu  ‘Ubaydah bin Jarrah, who was moving as swiftly as a bird. We both rushed to dress the Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam’s wounds. There we found Talha suffering from serious injuries lying before the Messenger of Allah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam. The Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: “See to your brother. His deed entitled him for an abode in Paradise.” I noticed that two rings of the iron-ringed helmet had penetrated his cheek.So I set out to remove them; but Abu ‘Ubaydah requested: ‘By Allah, O Abu Bakr I beseech you, let me do it.’ Fearing to hurt the Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam he started pulling one of the two rings out very slowly and carefully with his mouth. Then he pulled the arrow out by his mouth, too. Consequently, his front tooth fell. Then I proceeded to draw the second out; but Abu ‘Ubaidah besought me to leave it: “O, Abu Bakr, I adjure you by Allah to let me do it.” He pulled the second ring very slowly and carefully with his mouth till it came out. The Messenger of Allah said: “See to your brother. He has proved to be worthy of being housed in Paradise.” We approached Talha to treat him and found out that he had had some ten sword-strokes on his body. (This showed how efficiently Talha had fought and struggled on that day).”
Then, swiftly, other companions reached the place cutting through the mushrikeen to form a protective ring around Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam. Among them were Abu Dujana, Mus’ab bin Umayr, Ali bin abi Talib, Sahl bin Hunayf, Malik bin Sin’aan, Umme Ammarah Nusaybah bint Ka’ab, Hatib bin abi Balta’, and Abu Talhah radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anhum. 
The events that followed the call of the Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam to his sahabah are unmatched in history for love, devotion, courageousness, and gallantry.
The Makkans had heard the voice and rushed towards Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam in hordes. At that time only nine guards were protecting the Messenger, all ready to give their lives to defend him. One by one all were martyred until there remained only Talhah bin ‘Ubaydullah radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh and Sa’ad bin Abi Waqqas radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh. The Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam was slowly being backed towards Mount Uhud with the mushrikeen advancing towards them. ‘Utbah bin Abi Waqqas threw rocks at the Messenger injuring his lower lip and knocking out the lower right incisor. Abdullah bin Shihab wounded his forehead. Abdullah bin Qami’ah came on horseback and struck Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam with immense force on his head. Hadhrat Talhah who was standing before Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam intercepted the blow and the sword glanced off the holy head, striking his cheek and falling on his shoulder. Two rings of his helmet embedded in the upper part of the cheek. Blood was running down his face and while wiping it he said, “(I wonder) how the people can thrive or be successful who cut the face of their Prophet and break his tooth, though he was calling them to worship Allah.”
Allah ta’ala did not like these words from the mouth of his most dear slave even in such harsh circumstances and He admonished him with the verse,
“Not for you (O Muhammad, but for Allah) is the decision; whether He turns in mercy to them or punishes them; verily they are the zalimun.” (3:128)
The two soldiers now guarding their Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam were doing the job of a whole battalion. They used swords and arrows so skillfully that they were able to hold off the idolaters from their beloved Rasul sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam.
Hadhrat Talhah took up the main fight after the death of the seven companions and fought more than all of them together till his hand was hurt and the fingers of one hand either cut off or paralyzed. It is said that he received nearly forty wounds in defending the Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam who said in reward of his fearless defense, “Whoever wishes to see a martyr walking the earth, let him see Talhah bin ‘Ubaydullah.”
Abu Bakr radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh used to say about Uhud, “That was Talhah’s day!”
Sa’ad bin abi Waqqas was an expert in archery. Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam emptied his own quiver for him and said, “Shoot! May my father and mother be sacrificed for you!”
This was the highest of honours for Rasulullah had never before nor afterwards said these words to anyone else.
All of this happened at a very fast pace. Hearing the voice of Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam, his closest companions had already turned back and were heading in his direction. Hadhrat Abu Bakr radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anh relates,
“When it was Uhud Day and at the time that the Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam was left behind, I was the first to go back and see him. Before him I saw a man fighting to shield him from the enemies. I said to myself: “I wish he were Talha. Let my father and mother be sacrificed for you. (O Allah) Let him be Talha! Let my parents be sacrificed for you!” On the way, I was overtaken by Abu ‘Ubaydah bin Jarrah, who was moving as swiftly as a bird. We both rushed to dress the Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam’s wounds. There we found Talha suffering from serious injuries lying before the Messenger of Allah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam. The Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam said: “See to your brother. His deed entitled him for an abode in Paradise.” I noticed that two rings of the iron-ringed helmet had penetrated his cheek. So I set out to remove them; but Abu ‘Ubaydah requested: ‘By Allah, O Abu Bakr I beseech you, let me do it.’ Fearing to hurt the Prophet sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam he started pulling one of the two rings out very slowly and carefully with his mouth. Then he pulled the arrow out by his mouth, too. Consequently, his front tooth fell. Then I proceeded to draw the second out; but Abu ‘Ubaidah besought me to leave it:
“O, Abu Bakr, I adjure you by Allah to let me do it.” He pulled the second ring very slowly and carefully with his mouth till it came out. The Messenger of Allah said: “See to your brother. He has proved to be
worthy of being housed in Paradise.” We approached Talha to treat him and found out that he had had some ten sword-strokes on his body. (This showed how efficiently Talha had fought and struggled on that day).”
Then, swiftly, other companions reached the place cutting through the mushrikeen to form a protective ring around Rasulullah sallallahu 'alaihi wasallam. Among them were Abu Dujana, Mus’ab bin Umayr, Ali bin abi Talib, Sahl bin Hunayf, Malik bin Sin’aan, Umme Ammarah Nusaybah bint Ka’ab, Hatib bin abi Balta’, and Abu Talhah radhiyallahu ta'ala 'anhum.