The Quraysh Mobilize for Revenge
After their humiliating defeat at Badr, the Quraysh gathered to avenge their fallen. Under the command of Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, they assembled a formidable force of nearly three thousand well-armed warriors, heavily financed and brimming with vengeance.
Before their march toward Uhud, al-Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib sent word to the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family), warning him of the Quraysh’s intentions. In response, the Messenger of Allah prepared to confront the advancing army. The battle took place in Shawwal of the third year after Hijrah.
The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) departed from Madinah with one thousand men, with Imam Ali (peace be upon him) carrying the standard of Islam. But before reaching Uhud, Abd Allah ibn Ubay, the leader of the hypocrites, withdrew with one-third of the army, saying mockingly:
“Why should we risk our lives? Let us turn back!”
Only seven hundred faithful companions remained with the Prophet—yet their hearts were stronger than any multitude.
The Prophet’s Strategic Preparations
Upon reaching Uhud, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) stationed fifty archers under the command of Abd Allah ibn Jubayr on the hill behind the Muslim army, instructing them:
“Do not abandon your post, even if you see us victorious or defeated. Remain steadfast.”
Their presence was to protect the Muslim ranks from a possible cavalry assault.
Imam Ali’s Bravery and the Fall of Quraysh’s Banner-Bearers
When the two armies clashed, Talhah ibn Abi Talhah, the champion of Quraysh and bearer of their standard—known among them as “the ram of the army”—emerged and arrogantly challenged:
“Who will duel me?”
The young lion of Islam, Imam Ali (peace be upon him), advanced, while the Prophet watched from a shaded enclosure prepared for him.
“Who are you?” Talhah demanded.
Imam Ali replied with calm majesty:
“I am Ali, the son of Abu Talib.”
Talhah said: “Indeed, none but you would dare to face me!”
The duel was fierce and brief—steel clashed upon steel—until Imam Ali struck a thunderous blow that split Talhah’s head and cast him lifeless to the ground. The Quraysh were stunned. The Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) and the believers raised their voices in takbir: “Allah Akbar!”
Then Hamzah ibn Abd al-Muttalib, the Lion of Allah, charged forward and slew Uthman ibn Abi Talhah, Talhah’s brother. After him came Abu Sa‘id ibn Abi Talhah, who was also struck down by Imam Ali (peace be upon him). The banner then passed to Ata ibn Shurahbil, whom Imam Ali likewise dispatched.
One after another, the nine banner-bearers of Quraysh fell beneath Imam Ali’s sword, Dhulfiqar, until the standard of disbelief lay trampled in the dust. As Shaykh al-Mufid records in al-Irshad:
“The bearers of Quraysh’s banner were nine in number—and Ali ibn Abi Talib slew them all.”
The Tide of Battle and the Betrayal of the Archers
At the outset, the Muslims gained the upper hand, but when the archers disobeyed the Prophet’s command and left their posts to collect spoils, Khalid ibn al-Walid, leading two hundred horsemen, launched a surprise attack from behind. The Muslims were surrounded, chaos ensued, and many fell under the enemy’s blades.
In those dire moments, while others fled in confusion, Imam Ali (peace be upon him) stood firm—his entire being devoted to protecting the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him and his family). Surrounded by danger, he fought like a storm, cutting down every foe who dared approach the Prophet.
The Messenger of Allah, himself wounded, watched his cousin defend him with unmatched devotion, striking down wave after wave of attackers until his own sword shattered from the strain of battle. Yet Imam Ali fought on, fearless and resolute.
The Angels’ Praise for the Defender of the Prophet
Ikramah relates that Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said:
“When the people fled from the Messenger of Allah at Uhud, I stood before him, sword in hand, striking at the enemy until I could no longer see him and feared he had been taken up to heaven. I said, ‘By Allah, I will fight for him until I am slain.’ I broke the sheath of my sword and charged again until I found him lying unconscious upon the ground.”
When the Prophet regained consciousness, he asked,
“O Ali, what has become of the people?”
Imam Ali replied:
“They have turned their backs in retreat.”
Seeing the enemy advancing once more, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) commanded:
“O Ali, drive them away from me.”
Imam Ali attacked from the left and the right, scattering them in terror. Then the Prophet said:
“O Ali, do you not hear the voice of praise in the heavens? Verily, Ridwan, the angel of Paradise, proclaims: ‘There is no sword but Dhulfiqar, and no hero but Ali.’”
Tears of gratitude filled Imam Ali’s eyes as he raised his hands in thanksgiving to the Almighty.
The Martyrdom of Hamzah and the Prophet’s Grief
In the course of battle, Hamzah ibn Abd al-Muttalib, the Prophet’s uncle and valiant warrior, was struck down by the spear of Wahshi, a slave of Jubayr ibn Mutim, at the instigation of Hind, daughter of Utbah. In a scene of barbarity, Hind desecrated his blessed body—mutilating him and attempting to chew his liver.
When the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) beheld Hamzah’s martyred form, tears streamed down his face as he said,
“Never has calamity befallen me like this.”
The Outcome of the Battle
When the Quraysh failed in their repeated attempts to reach the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) and saw their champions slain, their resolve faltered. Despite the confusion and losses, the faith and courage of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) preserved the life of the Messenger and safeguarded the core of the Muslim community.
The Quraysh lost twenty-two warriors, while sixty-eight Muslims attained martyrdom. By the grace of Allah, and through the sword of Ali (peace be upon him), the believers were spared total destruction.
The Return to Madinah
After the battle, the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) returned to Madinah, his face wounded and covered with dust. Lady Fatimah al-Zahra (peace be upon her) came forth with a basin of water to wash his blessed face, while Imam Ali (peace be upon him) approached—his hands and arms drenched in blood. Handing Dhulfiqar to his noble wife, he said,
“Take this sword, O Fatimah, for today it has truly aided me.”
Thus ended the Battle of Uhud—a field of trial and divine distinction—where Imam Ali (peace be upon him) stood as the living shield of the Prophet and the luminous embodiment of sacrifice, loyalty, and faith unshaken.