Islamic History
The Prophet's Instructions to the Archers
The Prophet (PBUH) appointed Abdullah b. Jubayr as the commander of a fifty-man archers unit and instructed him: “Pin down the enemy cavalry with your arrows so that they cannot reach us! Whether the situation turns in our favor or against us, you must hold your position so that the enemy cavalry cannot come to us from behind you![163] If you see that we have defeated the enemy and started to collect spoils, do not join us![164] If you see that birds are swooping down on us, do not leave your position unless I send you a message to do so[165]. If you see that we have routed and overwhelmed them[166], do not move from your position until I send you a message.[167] If you see that they have defeated us,[168] killed us,[169] do not come to our aid by leaving your position!” [170] Accordingly; the archers would prevent anyone from approaching the Islamic army from behind and would target those who tried to approach with arrows.[171] After giving the necessary orders to the archers, the Prophet (PBUH) said: “As long as you face them, pin down the enemy cavalry with your arrows! For cavalrymen cannot advance towards arrows on horseback! O Allah! I call You as a witness that I have conveyed this to them!” [172]