10.2.1 Strategic Decisions

Setting the Stage at Uhud

The Battle of Uhud was not simply a clash of armies. It was also a series of deliberate strategic choices taken before and during the battle. Some of these decisions led to great benefit, and others were lessons for the future. In this chapter we will focus on the main strategic decisions related to Uhud, without re‑telling the full story of the battle or its outcome.

After the victory at Badr, Quraysh gathered a much larger army to take revenge. The Prophet ﷺ in Madinah had to decide how to respond: where to fight, how to position the army, and how to organize his companions in a way that balanced courage, wisdom, and trust in Allah.

Allah reminds the believers that what happened at Uhud was not random, but connected to divine wisdom:

﴿وَتِلْكَ الْأَيَّامُ نُدَاوِلُهَا بَيْنَ النَّاسِ﴾
“And such days We alternate among the people.”
(Quran 3:140)

Understanding the strategic decisions at Uhud helps us see how human planning and divine decree come together, and how guidance from Allah shapes the choices of the Prophet ﷺ.

Consultation about Fighting Inside or Outside Madinah

When news came that Quraysh was marching with a large army toward Madinah, the Prophet ﷺ did not decide alone. He practiced shura, or consultation, which is a constant feature of his leadership.

Allah later praised this principle in general:

﴿وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْرِ﴾
“And consult them in the matter.”
(Quran 3:159)

The initial inclination of the Prophet ﷺ, according to many reports, was to stay within Madinah and defend it from inside. The city, with its houses, pathways, and gardens, could naturally break up the enemy’s movement. The people of Madinah knew their streets and terrain. Fighting from inside would allow for a type of urban defense that could weaken a larger attacking force. It also reduced the danger of being surrounded in open land.

Some of the senior companions, including those who had been at Badr, leaned toward this defensive choice. They trusted that Allah would aid them, whether they defended the city from within or went out to meet the enemy.

However, a group of younger companions, especially some who had missed Badr, strongly desired to go out and meet the enemy in open battle. They felt that meeting the enemy outside the city would show courage and firmness, and they longed for martyrdom and a new victory. They insisted loyally, not out of disobedience, but from a powerful desire to prove themselves for the sake of Allah.

The Prophet ﷺ listened to all sides. Even when the opinion of some differed from his initial view, he did not silence them. Eventually, he accepted the view of the majority who wanted to go out and fight outside Madinah. This is a central strategic decision of Uhud.

This teaches several points. The Prophet ﷺ honored consultation even when it led to a more risky option. He also showed that once a decision is taken through shura, it deserves commitment. Some narrations mention that when the companions later regretted pressuring for battle outside the city, the Prophet ﷺ did not reverse the decision after he had put on his armor. This reflects resolve and consistency in leadership.

The Quran hints at the wisdom of this method, even when results are painful:

﴿فَبِمَا رَحْمَةٍ مِنَ اللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمْ وَلَوْ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ الْقَلْبِ لَانفَضُّوا مِنْ حَوْلِكَ فَاعْفُ عَنْهُمْ وَاسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ وَشَاوِرْهُمْ فِي الْأَمْرِ﴾
“So by mercy from Allah you were gentle with them. And if you had been harsh and hard‑hearted, they would have dispersed from around you. So pardon them, ask forgiveness for them, and consult them in the matter.”
(Quran 3:159)

Even after the bitter experience of Uhud, Allah commanded the Prophet ﷺ to continue consulting the believers. This shows that consultation was not to blame; rather, it is a permanent principle of Islamic leadership.

Selecting the Battlefield near Mount Uhud

Once the decision was made to go out, the Prophet ﷺ made another critical strategic choice: where to position the Muslim forces. He did not go far from Madinah into unknown territory. Instead, he chose a location near the mountain of Uhud, to the north of the city.

The choice of Uhud was based on several tactical advantages. First, having the mountain directly behind the Muslim army protected their rear. This removed the possibility that the enemy could attack them from all sides. The Muslims could focus on what lay in front of them instead of fearing surprise attacks from behind.

Second, the terrain at Uhud limited the directions from which the Quraysh cavalry could sweep around. In the open desert, a strong cavalry force could easily encircle an army. By putting his army with the mountain at their back and controlling the narrow gaps on the flanks, the Prophet ﷺ tried to prevent exactly that.

Third, the closeness to Madinah allowed the Muslims to stay connected to their city. They had not exposed themselves far away, nor had they abandoned their families and homes without protection.

These factors show that the selection of Uhud was a carefully reasoned decision. The Prophet ﷺ combined tawakkul, or trust in Allah, with detailed planning. Trust in Allah did not mean rejecting strategy. Rather, it meant using all proper means while placing full reliance on Allah’s decree.

The Prophet ﷺ expressed the meaning of true reliance in a well known hadith about using means:

عَن أَنَسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَجُلًا قَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أُعْقِلُهَا وَأَتَوَكَّلُ أَوْ أُطْلِقُهَا وَأَتَوَكَّلُ؟ قَالَ: «اعْقِلْهَا وَتَوَكَّلْ»
“A man said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, shall I tie my camel and then rely (on Allah), or leave it untied and rely (on Allah)?’ He said, ‘Tie it, and rely (on Allah).’”
(Reported by at‑Tirmidhi)

At Uhud, choosing the battlefield by the mountain, and arranging the lines carefully, was part of “tying the camel” before relying on Allah for victory.

Organizing the Army and Returning the Underage

Before marching out, the Prophet ﷺ examined his companions and decided who could take part. Many young boys came forward, eager to fight, but he sent back those who were clearly underage or too small for battle at that time.

Among those first refused were famous companions in their youth, such as Abdullah ibn Umar and others, according to the reports. Some narrations mention that the Prophet ﷺ allowed only those who had reached physical strength and maturity to remain. This decision shows that bravery alone is not enough. Readiness, strength, and proper age are all part of responsible military planning.

The Prophet ﷺ did not encourage emotional zeal that ignored reality. His concern was protection and appropriate responsibility. Even if a young person’s intention was sincere, the Prophet ﷺ did not want them exposed to a level of danger they were not prepared to handle.

At the same time, within the army, he organized the Muslims into units and gave them leaders. Reports mention that there were standard bearers from among the Ansar and the Muhajirun, and that different clans and tribes were grouped sensibly. Order, not chaos, shaped the Muslim ranks.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ emphasized the importance of structure and obedience in any collective effort. He said:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ: «مَنْ أَطَاعَنِي فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ اللَّهَ، وَمَنْ عَصَانِي فَقَدْ عَصَى اللَّهَ، وَمَنْ أَطَاعَ أَمِيرِي فَقَدْ أَطَاعَنِي، وَمَنْ عَصَى أَمِيرِي فَقَدْ عَصَانِي»
“Whoever obeys me has obeyed Allah, and whoever disobeys me has disobeyed Allah. Whoever obeys my commander has obeyed me, and whoever disobeys my commander has disobeyed me.”
(Al‑Bukhari and Muslim)

This hadith reflects the same principle that guided military organization at Uhud: obedience to leadership, and structured units with clear chains of command.

Placing the Archers on the Hill

One of the most famous strategic decisions of Uhud was the positioning of the archers. Near the battlefield there was a small elevated area, often described as a hill or mound. The Prophet ﷺ placed around fifty archers there, under the command of Abdullah ibn Jubayr رضي الله عنه.

The purpose of this position was clear. The elevation overlooked a gap through which the Quraysh cavalry could attempt to circle behind the Muslim army. By occupying this hill, the archers created a protective barrier over the rear and flank of the Muslim forces. Any cavalry trying to pass would be struck by volleys of arrows.

The Prophet ﷺ explained their mission in very strong terms. He warned them not to leave their position, no matter how the battle developed. Authentic narrations report that he said to them words of this meaning:

“Defend our backs. If you see us being killed, do not come to help us. And if you see that we have defeated them, do not join us in collecting the booty, until I send for you.”

These words show that their position was not secondary. It was a key element in the entire plan. The Prophet ﷺ made the instructions extremely clear in order to prevent any confusion or independent judgments that might break the plan.

This teaches the importance of guarding strategic points, even when the main action seems to occur somewhere else. Sometimes the most vital task appears less glamorous. The Prophet ﷺ emphasized that obedience and discipline at a fixed point could decide the entire battle.

The consequences of leaving this hill would become a central lesson of Uhud and will be dealt with in more detail in the chapter on the turning point of the battle. Here we focus on the initial decision. The plan itself was sound. The Prophet ﷺ had created a strong defensive structure where the mountain protected the rear, and the archers’ hill protected the vulnerable flank. If the instructions had been obeyed throughout, Quraysh’s cavalry would have found it much harder to strike from behind.

Allah later revealed concerning Uhud:

﴿وَلَقَدْ صَدَقَكُمُ اللَّهُ وَعْدَهُ إِذْ تَحُسُّونَهُم بِإِذْنِهِ حَتَّىٰ إِذَا فَشِلْتُمْ وَتَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي الْأَمْرِ وَعَصَيْتُم مِّنۢ بَعْدِ مَآ أَرَىٰكُم مَّا تُحِبُّونَ﴾
“And Allah certainly fulfilled His promise to you when you were killing them by His permission, until when you lost courage, and fell into dispute about the matter, and disobeyed after He had shown you what you love.”
(Quran 3:152)

This verse shows that the plan, aided by Allah, was working, until some disobeyed and disputed about the matter. The archers’ position and their later movement are directly connected to this divine description.

Protecting the Messenger ﷺ during Battle

Another fundamental strategic concern at Uhud was protecting the Messenger of Allah ﷺ himself. His life was central not only to the battle, but to the entire mission of Islam. The enemy was aware of this, and some of their fighters deliberately targeted him.

At the start of the battle, the Prophet ﷺ stood among his companions in the front lines, encouraging them and arranging them. Yet he was not left exposed without protection. Brave companions such as Talhah ibn Ubaydillah, az‑Zubayr ibn al‑Awwam, Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas, Abu Dujanah, and others were always near him, each performing specific protective roles that were part of the overall strategy.

For example, Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas رضي الله عنه was given arrows, and the Prophet ﷺ encouraged him directly:

عَنْ عَلِيٍّ رضي الله عنه أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَقُولُ لِسَعْدِ بْنِ أَبِي وَقَّاصٍ يَوْمَ أُحُدٍ: «ارْمِ سَعْدُ، فِدَاكَ أَبِي وَأُمِّي»
“Ali reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say to Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas on the day of Uhud: ‘Shoot, Sa’d, may my father and mother be ransomed for you.’”
(Al‑Bukhari and Muslim)

This personal encouragement was not only emotional. It showed that some companions had roles specifically connected to defending the Prophet ﷺ in the heat of battle.

When the lines later broke, a tight circle of companions physically shielded him with their bodies and even with their shields and hands. Abu Dujanah رضي الله عنه is reported to have stood in front of the Prophet ﷺ, using his own back to receive arrows. Talhah رضي الله عنه suffered severe wounds to protect the Messenger ﷺ. These are details of courage, but they also reflect a strategic priority: always keep the Prophet ﷺ guarded.

The Quran reminds the believers of the importance of standing firm around the Messenger ﷺ:

﴿وَمَا مُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ أَفَإِن مَّاتَ أَوْ قُتِلَ انقَلَبْتُمْ عَلَىٰ أَعْقَابِكُمْ﴾
“Muhammad is no more than a messenger. Many messengers have passed before him. So if he dies or is killed, will you then turn back on your heels?”
(Quran 3:144)

This verse, revealed about Uhud, addresses the shock that spread among some when they thought he had been killed. It also indicates how central his presence was to their morale and the entire mission. Therefore, making his personal safety a top strategic concern was natural and necessary.

Dealing with Abdullah ibn Ubayy’s Withdrawal

Another important moment of strategic significance at Uhud occurred when Abdullah ibn Ubayy ibn Salul, the leader of the hypocrites in Madinah, withdrew with about one third of the army shortly before the battle.

As the Muslims advanced toward Uhud, Abdullah ibn Ubayy turned back with his followers, using excuses and complaining that his opinion about fighting inside Madinah had not been followed. This sudden loss of numbers could have broken the morale of the believers and shaken their confidence.

The Prophet ﷺ did not attempt to chase after them or force them to stay. Instead, he continued forward with those who remained sincere and determined. From a numbers perspective, losing one third of the force was a serious blow. But from a spiritual and strategic perspective, removing unreliable elements from the army may have protected the Muslims from greater harm in the thick of battle.

Allah refers to this event and reveals the hidden wisdom behind it:

﴿وَلِيَعْلَمَ الَّذِينَ نَافَقُوا وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ تَعَالَوْا قَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَوِ ادْفَعُوا قَالُوا لَوْ نَعْلَمُ قِتَالًا لَّاتَّبَعْنَاكُمْ﴾
“And so that He might make evident those who hypocritically concealed [their faith]. And it was said to them, ‘Come, fight in the way of Allah or at least defend.’ They said, ‘If we knew there would be fighting, we would have followed you.’”
(Quran 3:167)

The Prophet ﷺ chose not to rely on divided hearts. He accepted the reality that some would abandon the army and placed his trust in Allah with those who remained. The believers who continued to Uhud did so with sincerity.

Strategically, this shows that cohesion and unity of purpose are more important than raw numbers. An army that contains people who will break at the first test can be more fragile than a smaller, united force.

Balancing Firmness and Mercy during the Battle

In the actual conduct of the fighting, the Prophet ﷺ balanced firmness in combat with mercy in intention. He instructed the companions to fight bravely, but without treachery or cruelty. The goal was to defend the truth and the community of believers, not to seek revenge in a personal way.

Although Uhud was primarily a defensive engagement, the Prophet ﷺ did not allow vengeance to govern his strategy. He forbade the killing of non‑combatants and rejected cruelty, even toward fierce enemies. While specific detailed rulings of warfare are covered in other parts of the Seerah, it is important to note that at Uhud the Prophet ﷺ’s tactical orders were always shaped by ethical limits.

He said in a general hadith about combat:

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ: وَجَدَتِ امْرَأَةً مَقْتُولَةً فِي بَعْضِ مَغَازِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ﷺ فَأَنْكَرَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَتْلَ النِّسَاءِ وَالصِّبْيَانِ
“Ibn Umar reported: A woman was found killed in one of the battles of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, so the Messenger of Allah ﷺ denounced the killing of women and children.”
(Al‑Bukhari and Muslim)

Even in a tense battle such as Uhud, these principles were present. The strategy of the Prophet ﷺ was never separated from revelation and moral guidance.

Lessons from the Strategic Choices at Uhud

Looking at the strategic decisions at Uhud together, several themes appear. The Prophet ﷺ consulted his companions and accepted the opinion of the majority, even when it differed from his initial preference. He selected the battlefield with awareness of terrain and enemy strength. He organized the army with structure, returned the underage, and placed the archers on a critical hill with firm orders not to leave. He prioritized the protection of the Messenger ﷺ and continued forward even after the hypocrites withdrew.

All of these choices show the balance between human planning and divine reliance. The events that followed, including the painful turning point, were not due to a lack of planning but were part of Allah’s wisdom in teaching the believers discipline, patience, and obedience.

Allah summarizes a key lesson of Uhud in one verse that can be applied to all strategy:

﴿إِن يَنصُرْكُمُ اللَّهُ فَلَا غَالِبَ لَكُمْ وَإِن يَخْذُلْكُمْ فَمَن ذَا الَّذِي يَنصُرُكُم مِّن بَعْدِهِ وَعَلَى اللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ الْمُؤْمِنُونَ﴾
“If Allah helps you, none can overcome you. But if He forsakes you, who is there that can help you after Him? So upon Allah let the believers rely.”
(Quran 3:160)

Strategic decisions are necessary, and the Prophet ﷺ at Uhud used the best available means. Yet, in the end, victory and defeat belong to Allah. The purpose of strategy in Islam is not to replace trust in Allah, but to serve it.