Uhud

Uhud, also known as the Battle of Uhud, is a hill located about 5 kilometers northeast of Medina, in present-day Saudi Arabia. In 625 CE (3 AH), Muslims from Medina, led by the Prophet Muhammad, faced an army from the Quraysh of Mecca seeking to avenge their defeat at Badr. The Muslim force numbered roughly 700, while the Meccans fielded around 3,000.

On the day of the battle, a contingent of archers was stationed on the slopes of Mount Uhud to guard the mountain pass. They were ordered to remain in place; when they left their posts to collect spoils, Khalid ibn al-Walid led a cavalry flank that struck the Muslim rear, turning the battle. Hamza ibn Abdul-Muttalib, the Prophet's uncle, was killed by Wahshi ibn Harb during the fighting. The Muslims eventually withdrew to Medina in the face of the Meccan forces, marking a tactical setback despite initial gains.

Following the battle, the Qur'an and early Islamic sources reflect on obedience, resolve, and the consequences of deviating from commands. The event underscored the resilience of the early Muslim community, yet it did not end Meccan attempts against Medina. Mount Uhud remains a historic site near Medina, visited in later periods as part of Islamic heritage.