Islamic History
The Astonishing Incident of Abu Qatada's War Horse
One day, Abu Qatada placed dates in his lapel and took them to his horse. The horse raised its head and pricked up its ears! Abu Qatada said, “I swear by Allah; the horse has smelled the scent of a warhorse!” His mother said to him, “By Allah, my son! Even during the Days of Ignorance, we did not practice divination, nor did we spread false news about the unseen. How can we deal with such things after Muhammad (peace be upon him) came?” The horse again raised its head and pricked up its ears. Abu Qatada said, “I swear by Allah; the horse has smelled the scent of a warhorse!” [145] Abu Qatada says: “I was washing my head. While I was washing one side of my head, I heard the neighing of Cerve (Havze) and its hooves hitting the ground. ‘This is a sign of preparing for battle!’ I said. Without finishing washing the other side of my head, I stood up, mounted the horse. I had my cloak on me. At that moment, the caller of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was calling out, ‘Hurry! Hurry!’ [146] The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) commanded, ‘O Abu Qatada! Set off immediately! May Allah be your companion!’”[147]