Omer, Spahic
(2026)
UHUD: a prime place of visitation in Madinah
(history, significance & architecture).
UNISSA PRESS, Brunei.
ISBN 978-99984-57-20-1
Abstract
This book discusses the idea and physical reality of Uhud as the scene of the second major battle in the history of Islam, the battle of Uhud, which was fought in the 3rd year following the hijrah or migration from Makkah to Madinah (that is, in 625 AC). The battle, whereupon neither the Muslim mind nor Islamic polity was ever the same again, rendered the Uhud battleground - with the graveyards of seventy, or so, martyrs led by Hamzah the Prophet's uncle and the prince of martyrs (sayyid al-shuhadā’) - a prime place of visitation in Madinah. The focus of the book is threefold, encompassing the significance and history of the place and its momentous occurrences, as well as the architecture of the edifices associated with them.
The book has four chapters. In the first chapter titled “Three Lessons from the Battle of Uhud” three major lessons that can be gleaned from the occasion of the battle of Uhud, are discussed. The lessons are: Badr was a miraculous gift, Uhud a reality check; Uhud as a purifier; and conflicting war ideologies. The lessons are rather philosophical in nature.
The second chapter titled “Three Mosques Associated with the Battle of Uhud” examines three mosques that are of the landmarks from the surrounding areas of the Uhud battlefield. The three mosques are: masjid al-Fash, masjid al-Dir’ and masjid al-Mustarāh. Their importance, history and architecture are analysed.
The third chapter titled “The History and Development of the Uhud Battlefield” discusses the various architectural as well as operational aspects of the four structural elements that, historically, featured most prominently at the Uhud battlefield. Those elements are: the mosque of the archers’ hill, masjid al-‘Askar, the shrine of the Tooth, and Hamzah’s funerary complex that included his mausoleum and a mosque. However, about a century ago, all the four structural elements have been demolished. Today, there is a massive modern mosque adjoining the Uhud battlefield at the north-east side. It is called masjid (jāmi’) Sayyid al-Shuhadā’ whose architecture is also scrutinized in the chapter.
The fourth chapter titled “The Function of the Uhud Battlefield” sheds light on the rites and formalities that people throughout history inextricably linked with the Uhud battleground and its built environment. The discussion revolves around the dynamics and various aspects — permissible or otherwise — of the practices and demeanours associated with the visitation of Uhud. Some of those practices were personal and spontaneous, while others became institutionalized and deeply entrenched within popular culture. At any rate, the performances and habits of people proved challenging for both religious and political authorities, who often struggled to regulate, reform or reconcile them with the normative teachings and spirit of Islam.
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