Before the dawn of Islam in the Arabian Peninsula, the infidels
were suffering from many social evils, like illiteracy, deep-rooted hatred
resulting in killings travelling in generations, burying their daughters alive
for the baseless shame of a daughter, jealousy etc.
Shaykh Tabrasi, Ali
bin Ibrahim, Shaykh Tusi and many Shia and Sunni commentators have narrated
from the Infallible Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s.) and Ibn Abbas that twelve
thousands mounted men of the Valley of Yabis co vented on oath to kill the
Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) and the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.).
Jibra’il descended and informed the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) about the plot
and ordered to send Abu baker bin Kahafa along with four thousand Muslims to
fight the infidels. When the Muslim army
reached Yabis, the infidels said: We have nothing to do with you, go back but
we will slay Muhammad and his brother Ali.” Abu Baker told the army about the
superiority of the infidels and ordered them to retreat. The army replied: “You
act contrary to the commands of the Prophet, fear Allah and fight with them.”
But Abu Baker returned to Madinah. The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) rebuked him
for disobedience and cowardice and then informed the Muslims that he was
divinely commanded to send Umar ibn Khattab with four thousand mounted men on
this expedition. Umar ibn Khattab’s fortune was precisely the same as Abu Baker
ibn Kahafa.
According to
Shaykh Mufeed (r.a.), the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) then sent the Commander
of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.), and prayed: “O Lord! I have appointed one who is
a fighter and never flees from the battle. So help him for the sake of my sanctity and make him
victorious.” Imam Ali (a.s.) made
such forced marches through unusual routes that the men feared that their horse
would be exhausted but Imam Ali (a.s.) encouraged his army saying that the
Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) had commanded him victory. The infidels sent a group
of two hundred men to inquire about their whereabouts and objectives. Imam Ali (a.s.) said: “I am Ali Ibn Abi
Talib, the cousin and brother of the Prophet, and his messenger to summon you
to testify to the divine Unity, and to the prophet hood of the Prophet;
therefore embrace Islam and share the prosperity and adversity of the Muslims.”
The infidels replied: “You are just the man we wanted to encounter; get ready
for battle, and be assured we shall slay you and your army. Let the only treaty
between us to meet tomorrow morning at breakfast time.” Imam Ali (a.s.)
retorted: “Woe to you! Do you think you can frighten me with your superior
numbers? I look to the aid of Allah, angels, and Muslims, and verily, there is
no might or power, but the Almighty Allah.”
At earliest morning the Muslims performed prayers and Imam
Ali (a.s.) attacked the infidels and utterly routed them. A daring youth came
out and used filthy language for the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.). Imam Ali
(a.s.) exchanged a few blows and sent him to Hell. Then Imam Ali (a.s.) asked
for another contestant and his brother came out and was also sent to Hell by
Imam Ali (a.s.). Then Imam Ali (a.s.) called for another contestant. The chief of the infidel’s army, Harith bin
Makida who was considered to be equal to 500 men, came out and attacked Imam
Ali (a.s.) but the Imam (a.s.) repelled his blow and gave him slash cutting him
into two pieces. After him, his cousin Amr bin Fatak came out but was killed by
Imam Ali (a.s.) in one blow. After that no one dared face the Lion of Allah
(a.s.). Imam Ali (a.s.) tied the remaining
men, women and children. That is why this battle is called “Zat ul Salasil”
They all returned to Madinah. On the morning of the victory, Jibra’il descended
and informed the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) about Imam Ali (a.s.)’s victory. He
(s.a.w.a.s.) mounted the pulpit and informed the Muslims about the victory and
that only two Muslims were martyred in the battle. Later, he (s.a.w.a.s.) and
the Muslims of Madinah went out several miles to meet Imam Ali (a.s.) and the
victorious army. Imam Ali (a.s.) descended from the horse and the Noble
Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) kissed him between his eyes. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) Addressed to Imam Ali (a.s.): “Verily,
were it not that I fear a community of followers will say of you, what the
Christians affirm of I’sa, I would this declare some things in your praise, so
that you would pass no company that would not gather dust on which you tread,
for the blessings it confers. According
to Imam Jafar al-Sadiq (a.s.) the Muslims had never taken before such valuable
spoils except Khyber On this occasion, Surah al-Adiyat was revealed.
Source used:
Imam reza.net, The Message by Ayatollah Jaffar Subhani,
Restatement of
history of Islam and Muslims by Sayyid Ali Asghar Razwy
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