Courage

The Battle of Hunayn provides the most vivid illustration of his courage. After the conquest of Makkah, the Muslim army of twelve thousand marched against the Hawazin tribe. The enemy had laid an ambush in the valley, and when they attacked at dawn, the Muslim forces broke and fled in confusion. In this moment of total chaos, the Prophet did not retreat. He rode his mule forward toward the enemy lines, calling out: "I am the Prophet, this is no lie! I am the son of Abd al-Muttalib!" His uncle Abbas, who had a booming voice, called out to the fleeing Companions to return. Slowly they rallied around the Prophet, and the tide of battle turned into a decisive victory. At the Battle of Uhud, when the archers abandoned their posts and the Muslim army was ambushed from behind, the Prophet stood firm even as most of the army scattered. He was struck in the face, his helmet rings pierced his cheek, his tooth was broken, and blood ran down his face. Yet he continued to fight and rally those around him. Only a small band of Companions remained with him, defending him with their bodies. Among them was Talhah ibn Ubaydullah, whose hand was paralysed from warding off blows aimed at the Prophet. His courage was not limited to the battlefield. In Makkah, surrounded by hostile polytheists who had every intention of silencing him, he openly proclaimed the message of Islam. He stood on Mount Safa and called out the clans of Quraysh by name, warning them of the punishment of Allah. When Abu Lahab cursed him, the Prophet did not flinch from his mission. He prayed openly at the Kaaba when the Quraysh had sworn to harm anyone who did so. One night in Madinah, the people were heard a loud noise and were alarmed, fearing an enemy raid. While others were still arming themselves, the Prophet had already ridden out alone on an unsaddled horse belonging to Abu Talhah to investigate. He returned and told the people: "There is nothing to fear." He had already scouted the source of the alarm before anyone else had even mounted. Anas reported this, noting that the Prophet rode out on the horse without a saddle, with a sword hanging from his neck, demonstrating that his instinct was to face danger, not to wait for others to do so.