Q. & A. 711 to 1707 with solved Papers css 1971 to date

THE BATTLEFIELD
The Hawazin were noted for their skill in archery and they were also occupying favourable positions in the battlefield. The best archers among them were posted well on the surrounding hills. As the Muslims advanced, they were met with showers of arrows from

162 Political and Cultural History of Islam

all sides, while the main portion of Hawazin’s army attacked them from the front. The Makkhan auxiliaries, including the new-converts, under the command of Khalid, were the foremost in the fight, and so were the first to be attacked. They could not stand the fierce attack from the enemy’s «nows. So they fell back, their retreat caused terrible disorder among the following Muslims ranks; one detachment fell over the other in utter confusion. Even the ”A’isar” (Medinites) and ”Muhajirin”’ (Immigra’hls) followed those who were retreating, which added more chaos and confusion.
When such was the deplorable state of affair., among the Muslims, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) w ith a small band of followers firmly stuck-up at his post with admirable tranquility and courage The Hawazin and Thaqif seeing the Muslims utterly retreated, descended from their positions and were quite near to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and ready to attack him
VICTORY
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was a rock of confidence; he was under the Omniscient protection of the Mightiest of the Mighty. He shouted again and again at the top of his voice, ”I am the Prophet, there is no untruth in it”. Hazrat Abbas, who was with him, also shouted: ”O You Ansari! who sheltered and helped the Muslims. O You Muhajirin! who took the oledge under the tree, Muhammad (PBUH) is alive and here come you this side.”
These magical and magnetic words had their desired effects. They had put fresh spirit into the minds of the retreating men. They uttered: ”Labbaik” (Here we are at the command), and were drawn towards the place where the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was standing. They threw themselves off their camels and horses and desperately attacked the enemy in all fury. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) threw a handful of dust in the fact of enemy saying: ”Your faces be disfigured.” The effect of the dust was clear; the enemies were losing the ground, a portion of them had already taken their heels and fled, the rest offered resistance for a short time, but seeing their standard bearer falling dead, they also turned and fled, they left their women,’ children and cattle (which they brought with them so that their presence would keep up the spirits of the fighting men) behind them. The booty which Muslims got from this battle consisted of the following articles:
1) 24,000 camels
2) 40,000 sheep
Tne Battle ofHunatn 163
3) 4,000 Oqyyahs of silver
4) 6,000 prisoners The Sub-Expedition to Atwas
The prisoners were removed to Wadi al-Ji’rana and the Holy Prophet (PBUH) chased th.~ fleeing enemy. Muslims caught them at Atwas. Again a fierce battl took place in which the enemies were defeated. Many of th< enemies were killed and the remaining ones, with their leader, Malik b.a ,” r, fled to Ta’if, a fortified city Therefore, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) laid siege to Ta’if.
According to Encyclopedia of Seerah, ”The Muslims for the first time had a large army and out numbered the enemy in men and material. Some of them, especially new converts from Makkah, had placed too much confidence on their numerical and material strength and had, at least for the time being, weakened their reliance on the help of God. This was a moment of repentance for them and a lasting lesson, so th tf they might remember that victory and defeat were in the hands of God.”1