Muhammad

Muhammad the coward

He also encourages his men to believe that they will be safe, even to the point of being reckless in battle:

[Auf bin Harith asked] “O Allah’s apostle, what makes Allah laugh with joy at his servant?”  He answered, “When he plunges into the midst of the enemy without mail.” (Ibn Ishaq/Hisham 445)

As it turns out, Auf took his advice and did exactly that:

Auf drew off the mail-coat that was on him and threw it away: then he seized his sword and fought the enemy till he was slain. (Ibn Ishaq/Hisham 445)

Auf’s fate at the Battle of Badr must have made an impression on Muhammad because the next time the prophet of Islam went into battle (at Uhud) he was sure to put on two coats of armor beforehand! (Ibn Ishaq/Hisham 560)
Other parts of the Battle of Uhud seem to support the idea that Muhammad was having second thoughts about the ability of Allah and his angels to protect him.  He not only planted himself firmly at the rear of his army, but also made sure that he was surrounded by a small group of bodyguards.  This was a strategic decision that actually backfired when the enemy unexpectedly outflanked the Muslims and advanced directly into his area.
Allah’s angels were nowhere to be found, and Muhammad, desperate to save his own skin, began selling paradise to the men around him in exchange for their lives:

It has been reported on the authority of Anas b. Malik that (when the enemy got the upper hand) on the day of the Battle of Uhud, the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was left with only seven men from the Ansar and two men from the Quraish. When the enemy advanced towards him and overwhelmed him, he said: Whoso turns them away from us will attain Paradise or will be my Companion in Paradise.  A man from the Ansar came forward and fought (the enemy) until he was killed.  The enemy advanced and overwhelmed him again and he repeated the words: Whoso turns them away, from us will attain Paradise or will be my Companion in Paradise.  A man from the Ansar came forward and fought until he was killed.  This state continued until the seven Ansar were killed (one after the other). Muslim 19:4413)

Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and receive no hurt, and those who strive and fight in the cause of Allah with their goods and their persons. Allah hath granted a grade higher to those who strive and fight with their goods and persons than to those who sit (at home). Unto all (in Faith) Hath Allah promised good: But those who strive and fight Hath He distinguished above those who sit (at home) by a special reward,- (Q4:95)

Finally, Muhammad simply blamed the sin of the people for their own defeat and told them to beg forhis forgiveness.  They had pushed him into a battle that he did not want, and then fought poorly, even“abandoning the messenger” (3:153) whose presence Allah had been so generous in blessing them with (3:164).  Clearly the people had let Muhammad down, but he and Allah promised to be magnanimous if the people acknowledged their error (3:152).
Yeah...  As for Muhammad, he was no longer taking chances on "Allah’s protection."  In fact, he actually immortalized the obligation of his people to protect him with their weapons in the Qur’an, even to the point of allowing his bodyguards to carry them into a mosque if he was present:

When thou (O Messenger) art with them, and standest to lead them in prayer, Let one party of them stand up (in prayer) with thee, Taking their arms with them: When they finish their prostrations, let them Take their position in the rear.  And let the other party come up which hath not yet prayed - and let them pray with thee, Taking all precaution, and bearing arms... (Quran 4:102)