Standing Firm

Standing Firm In Prayer After Being Hit By Arrows

Four years after the Hijrah [emigration of the followers of Islam from Makkah to Medinah], in the city of Medinah, the Muslims were still in danger due to the Jewish tribe, the Banu an-Nadir, who broke their contract with the Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Then the community received news that some tribes from the desert of Najd were about to attack. So, the Prophet of Islam (saw) raised over four hundred Muslims in order to prevent them from attacking.

Arriving at Najd, they found that only women were present in the houses; the men had taken refuge in the hills. At this time, warriors did not attack women; it was considered as cowardice.

But the women were taken as captives. Some of the Nadj tribes regrouped and prepared themselves for the fight. The time of 'Asr [the afternoon prayer] came, and the Muslims divided in two, as it was revealed, and each group prayed after the other.

The enemy, seeing the discipline among Muslims felt uneasiness and fear. They did not attack. So, the Muslims went back to Medina.

The Prophet of Allah (saw) asked:

"Who will be our guard tonight?"

Two men immediately rose: Abbad ibn Bishr (ra) and Ammar ibn Yasir (ra)

Abbad saw that Ammar was tired and asked him:

"What part of the night do you wish to sleep, the first or the second?"

"The first part," said Ammar.

The night was serene. Everything seemed peaceful. Abbad decided to spend the night in Ibadah [acts of worship] while his companion was asleep, and began reciting the Qur'an.

Abbad soon stood and faced the Qiblah in order to perform Salaat [voluntary prayer]. He began reciting Surah al-Kahf of one hundred and ten verses, which explains the virtues of faith, truth and patience and the passing of time.

While he was absorbed in recitation and in thought, an enemy came from the mountains of Najd and saw him vulnerable. The man drew his bow and threw an arrow towards Abbad. Calmly, Abbad pulled the arrow out and continued his meditation.

The enemy shot a second, then a third arrow. Abbad pulled them out one by one, and finished his recitation. Weak and in pain, at last, he stretched out his right hand during his prostration and awoke his companion Ammar.

"Glory be to Allah! Why didn't you wake me up when the first arrow reached you?"

"Reciting the verses of the Qur'an filled me with such wonders that I felt repugnance to cut it short. I would have preferred death rather than stopping right in the middle of it."

Abbad did not die this day; he died as a shahid [a martyr], at the battle of Yamamah. He fought so vehemently that his wounds made him almost not recognizable. He was a true believer.