Children’s enthusiasm for jihaad

From the book · p. 43

In brief· the site’s own summary, not the book’s words

Boys who were too young were sent home, but Rafi' bin Khadeej رضي الله عنه (may Allah be pleased with him) stood on his toes to look taller and was accepted, and Samurah bin Jundub رضي الله عنه (may Allah be pleased with him), the same age, won his place by beating Rafi' رضي الله عنه (may Allah be pleased with him) at wrestling. Nabi ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) placed fifty archers to guard a mountain pass behind the army and told them not to move whatever happened. When the Quraish fled and the Muslims began gathering booty, most of the archers left despite their Ameer, Abdullah bin Jubair رضي الله عنه (may Allah be pleased with him), and Khaalid bin Waleed رضي الله عنه (may Allah be pleased with him), not yet a Muslim, attacked through the open pass. In the confusion Abdullah bin Jubair رضي الله عنه (may Allah be pleased with him) and his few companions were martyred, Muslims even struck each other by mistake, and Mus'ab bin U'mair رضي الله عنه (may Allah be pleased with him) was martyred too.

When the Muslims came out of Madinah an inspection was conducted of the army. The youngsters who were under age were sent back. The youngsters enthusiasm for was so great that when Rafi` bin Khadeej رضي الله عنه (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked to return because of his young age, he stood on the tips of his toes to appear taller. He was then accepted in the army.

When Samurah bin Jundub رضي الله عنه (may Allah be pleased with him), who was of the same age saw this, he objected: “I am able to overpower Rafi’ in wrestling. If he is allowed to go in jihad, then I should also be allowed.” He was then made to wrestle with Rafi’ and true to his word, he dropped Rafi’ رضي الله عنه (may Allah be pleased with him). He was also allowed to join the army.

Will those who say that Islaam spread by force not feel ashamed over their lies after seeing these sacrifices? ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) arranged the rows of the army. Nabi ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) then appointed fifty archers to guard the mountain pass at the rear. There was a fear of an attack from this pass. Nabi ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed them not to move from their position under any circumstances.

The battle began and for some time severe combat ensued. The Muslims gained the upper hand and the Quraish fled from the battlefield. The Muslims began collecting the booty. On seeing this, the archers who were posted by ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) to guard the rear, left their postions to join the others in collecting the booty. Their , Hadhrat Abdullah bin Jubair رضي الله عنه (may Allah be pleased with him) tried to stop them from leaving their positions but they felt that there was no need to remain there anymore. Only a few رضي الله عنهم (may Allah be pleased with them) remained with him.

Khaalid bin Waleed رضي الله عنه (may Allah be pleased with him), who was not yet a Muslim, was fighting against the Muslims. He saw that this area was unguarded and attacked from the rear. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Jubair رضي الله عنه (may Allah be pleased with him) and his few companions fought very bravely but were eventually martyred. Both the armies engaged in such close combat that it was not clear who the Muslims were striking with their swords. Muslims unknowingly killed their fellow Muslim brothers. Hadhrat Mus’ab bin U’mair رضي الله عنه (may Allah be pleased with him) was also martyred in this battle.

In brief· the site’s own summary, not the book’s words

Boys who were too young were sent home, but Rafi' bin Khadeej رضي الله عنه stood on his toes to look taller and was accepted, and Samurah bin Jundub رضي الله عنه, the same age, won his place by beating Rafi' رضي الله عنه at wrestling. Nabi ﷺ placed fifty archers to guard a mountain pass behind the army and told them not to move whatever happened. When the Quraish fled and the Muslims began gathering booty, most of the archers left despite their Ameer, Abdullah bin Jubair رضي الله عنه, and Khaalid bin Waleed رضي الله عنه, not yet a Muslim, attacked through the open pass. In the confusion Abdullah bin Jubair رضي الله عنه and his few companions were martyred, Muslims even struck each other by mistake, and Mus'ab bin U'mair رضي الله عنه was martyred too.

The book’s text

The book’s text