Uhud, Battle of

The Battle of Uhud is fought on March 19, 625 at the valley located in front of Mount Uhud, in what is now northwestern Arabia.

It occurs between a force from the Muslim community of Medina led by the Islamic prophet Muhammad, and a force led by Abu Sufyan ibn Harb from Mecca, the town from which many of the Muslims had previously emigrated.

The Battle of Uḥud ys the second military encounter between the Meccans and the Muslims, preceded by the Battle of Badr in 624, where a small Muslim army had defeated a larger Meccan army.Marching out from Mecca towards Medina on March 11, 625, the Meccans desire to avenge their losses at Badr and strike back at Muhammad and his followers.

The Muslims ready for war soon afterwards and the two armies fight on the slopes and plains of Mount ‘Uḥud.While outnumbered, the Muslims gain the early initiative and force the Meccan lines back, thus leaving much of the Meccan camp unprotected.

When the battle looks to be only one step away from a decisive Muslim victory, a serious mistake is committed by a part of the Muslim army, which alters the outcome of the battle.

A breach of Muhammad's orders by the Muslim archers, who leave their assigned posts to despoil the Meccan camp, allows a surprise attack from the Meccan cavalry, led by Meccan war veteran Khalid ibn al-Walid, which brings chaos to the Muslim ranks.

Many Muslims are killed, and even Muhammad himself is badly injured.

The Muslims have to withdraw up the slopes of ‘Uḥud.

The Meccans do not pursue the Muslims further, but march back to Mecca declaring victory.For the Muslims, the battle is a significant setback: although they had been close to routing the Meccans a second time, their breach of Muhammad's orders in favor of collecting Meccan spoils reaps severe consequences.

The two armies will meet again in 627 at the Battle of the Trench.

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