The Guard in Prayer [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

The Guard in Prayer

Jabir bin Abdullah says that in the Battle of
Dhat-ur-Ruqa' the Holy Prophet (SAW) asked his companions to rest for the night on a plain
surrounded by the mountains. Who will volunteer to guard us
tonight? The Holy Prophet (SAW) asked.

Immediately, two companions, namely Ammar
bin Yathir and Abbad bin Bishr came forward and volunteered to stand guard while the army
of Islam slept.

As they stationed themselves at a strategic
spot on the terrain, Abbad said: Let us divide the night, I shall keep the
vigil in the first half, and you in the second. So Ammar slept while
Abbad remained vigilant, engaged in nightly prayers. In the middle of his prayers,
an enemy soldier stealthily came near and shot an arrow which hit Abbad. He pulled
out the arrow and continued his prayers. Another arrow hit him causing a further
injury. Abbad pulled it out again and remained steadfast. When the third arrow
wounded him further, Abbad hastily bowed down in prostration to complete his
prayers. He awakened Ammar and related to him what had transpired.

Ammar began to tend his wounds and wipe off
blood from his body, then asked: Why did you not wake me when you were first
hit?

Abbad said: I was
in my prayers, and I did not feel like abandoning my communion with Allah. When I
felt terribly weakened by the third blow, I bowed down to complete my prayers. Had
it not been for the Holy Prophet's (SAW) order to stand guard, I would not have disturbed
your sleep.

Reference:
Pearls of Wisdom. A String of Incidents in the History of Islam. The
World Federation of Khoja Shia Ithna-Asheri Muslim Communities. Page 17