Abdallah agreed with the Prophet’s decision, but the younger section, and especially those who had not fought at Bedr, were clamorously dissentient.  They pointed out that if Mahomet did not go forth to meet the Kureisch he would lay himself open to the charge of cowardice, and they openly declared that their loyalty to the Prophet would not endure this outrage, but would turn to contempt.  Against his will Mahomet was forced into action.  He might succeed in defeating his foe, and at all events his position would not endure the disloyalty and disaffection that his refusal would entail.

After Friday’s service he retired to his chamber, and appeared before the people in armour.  He called for three lances and fixed his banners to them, designing one for the leaders of the refugees, and the other two for the tribes of the Beni Aus and Khazraj.  He could muster in this year an army of 1000 men, but he had no cavalry, and fewer mailed warriors than the Kureisch.  Abdallah tried his best to dissuade Mahomet, but the Prophet was firm.

“It does not become me to lay aside my armour when once I have put it on, without meeting my foe in battle.”

At dawn the army moved to Ohod, and he drew up his line of battle at the base of the hill directly facing the Kureisch.  But before he could take up his final position, Abdallah with three hundred men turned their backs upon him and hastened again to Medina, declaring that the enterprise was too perilous, and that it had been undertaken against their judgment.  Mahomet let them go with the same proud sufficiency that he had showed before the advancing host at Bedr.

“We do not need them, the Lord is on our side.”

Then he directed his attention to the disposition of his forces.  He stationed fifty archers under a captain on the left of his line, with strict orders that they were to hold their ground whatever chance befell, so as to guard his rear and foil a Kureischite flank movement.  Then, having provided for the enemy’s probable tactics, he drew out his main line facing Medina in rather shallow formation.

The attack began as usual, by single combats, in which none of the champions seem to have taken part, and soon Mahomet’s whole line was engaged in a ruthless onward sweep, before which the Kureisch wavered.  But the Muslim pressed too hotly, and unable to retain their ground at all points, were driven back here and there.  Again their long line recovered and pursued its foes, only to lose its coherence and discipline; for a section of them, counting the day already won, began plundering the Kureisch camp.  This was too much for the archers on the left.  Forgetting everything in one wild desire to share the enemy’s wealth, they left their post and charged down into the struggling central mass.

Here was Khalid’s chance.  The chief warrior and counsellor of the Kureisch gathered his men together hastily, and circling round the now oblivious Muslim, drove his force against their rear, which broke up and fled.  Mahomet instantly saw the fatal mistake, and commanded the archers across the sea of men and weapons to remember their orders and stand firm.  But it was too late, and all he could do was to attempt to stay the Muslim flight.