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.
Background
The Battle of Badr had left the Meccans furious and with a taste for vengeance. Muhammad's continued raids on the Meccan caravans also provided an economic rationale for action. Rather than awaiting Muhammad's next raid on their caravans the Meccans resolved themselves to crush Muhammad and his religion in their base of operations, Medina, for once and for all time.
Order of battle
The Meccans under Abu Sufyan marshalled an army of over 3000 men, more than 3 times their numbers at Badr. Muhammad was able to call on a force of about 1000 men, this time including many more archers.