Battle of Uhud

The battle of Uhud was the second great battle in the military career of the prophet Muhammad according to the sira of the prophet. Unlike its predecessor, the [Battle of Badr]], it resulted in a decisive defeat for Muhammad and his ummah at the hands of the pagan Meccans. Like the battle of Badr, it was the circumstance for the revelation of many verses from the Hadith. Unlike the battle of Badr, it was a defensive battle, with the pagan Quraysh of Mecca coming to Medina to stomp out his movement for once and for all. The result of the battle would embolden the Meccans, although they would not properly exploit it, and the hypocrites in Muhammad's own ranks. Although the Muslims suffered many casualties, the Meccans would not drive their victory to a complete triumph over the Muslim movement; rather, from the sira, it appears that the Arabs of Meccan retired once the Arab sense of vengeance for the slain of Badr had been fulfilled. Although a setback for Muhammad, the battle would ultimately not stop his meteoric rise to be the undisputed master of all of Arabia.