The Sword of the Holy Prophet (sa) [Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad sahib's (ra) Narration]
Mentioning this incident of Hazrat Abu Dujanah (ra), Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib (ra) writes in Sirat Khataman Nabiyyin:
“The disbelievers of the Quraish suffered a crushing defeat in the duels. Upon witnessing this sight, the disbelievers became furious and launched an all-out attack. Calling out slogans of God’s Greatness, the Muslims also marched forward, and both armies fiercely collided with one another.
“It was perhaps on this occasion that the Holy Prophet (sa) took his sword in hand and said, ‘Who shall take this sword and do justice to it?’ Many Companions extended their hands in the desire of this honour, which included Hazrat Umar (ra) and Zubair (ra), and in light of various narrations, even Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and Hazrat Ali (ra). The Holy Prophet (sa), however, restrained his hand and continued to say, ‘Is there anyone who will do justice to this sword?’ Finally, Abu Dujanah Ansari (ra) extended his hand and submitted, ‘O Messenger (sa) of Allah! Grant me this honour.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) endowed the sword upon him and with this sword in hand, Abu Dujanah (ra) strutted forward, marching proudly towards the disbelievers. The Holy Prophet (sa) addressed the Companions saying, ‘Allah greatly abhors this gait, but not on an occasion like this.’
“Zubair (ra), who was most desirous of receiving the sword of the Holy Prophet (sa) and who felt that he was more deserving due to his being a close relative of the Holy Prophet (sa), began to toss and turn in anxiety. He thought to himself why the Holy Prophet (sa) had not entrusted this sword to him but endowed it to Abu Dujanah (ra) instead. In order to alleviate his own distress, in his heart, he vowed to remain close to Abu Dujanah (ra) in the field of battle so that he could witness how this sword was put to use. As such, he relates:
“‘Abu Dujanah (ra) tied a red cloth on his head and taking this sword in hand, whilst softly humming songs of God’s praise, he penetrated the idolatrous ranks. I saw that wherever he would turn, it was as if he would go about scattering death and I did not see a single man who came before him and was then spared. This was to such an extent that cutting his way through the army of the Quraish, he emerged from the opposite corner of the army, where the women of the Quraish were standing. Hind, the wife of Abu Sufyan, who was encouraging her men with great zeal and commotion came before him. Abu Dujanah (ra) raised his sword upon her and Hind shrieked in a loud voice, appealing to her men for assistance, but no one came to her aid.’
“Hazrat Zubair (ra) states, ‘However, then I saw that Abu Dujanah (ra) lowered his sword on his own accord and moved away from that place.’
“Zubair (ra) relates, ‘On this occasion, I enquired of Abu Dujanah (ra), “What had happened? First you raised your sword, but then lowered it.” He responded, “My heart could not come to terms with the fact that I should use the sword of the Holy Prophet (sa) against a woman; and then such a woman who, at the time, had no male protector.”’ Zubair (ra) relates, ‘It was then that I understood how Abu Dujanah (ra) in fact did justice to the sword of the Holy Prophet (sa) and that I could perhaps not have done the same and thus, the misgiving in my heart was dispelled.’”
(Sirat Khatamun-Nabiyyin, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra), p. 489-490)