2A.

The Battle of Badr

A. The Quraish were greatly displeased with the people of Madinah for giving shelter to
Muslims. They asked the people to hand over Muslims but they refused. They contacted the
Jews and Abdullah bin Ubbay and sought their help. Abu Sufyan was coming from Syria with
a trading caravan belonging to the Quraish. The Prophet decided to intercept the caravan.
Abu Sufyan sent a letter to a Quraish man Zam Zam in which he wrote to save his trade
caravan.
B. The Quraish got ready with 1000 men, 700 camels, 200 horses and enough weapons. The
Holy Prophet got together 313 men, 3 horses, 60 camels and 60 suits of armor. Abu Sufyan
changed his route and reached Makkah. He sent a letter to the Quraish for them to stop but
Abu Jahal denied.
C. In the month of Safar 2AH Allah had already given permission to fight against the
unbelievers “Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you”. Both armies met in the ground
of Badr. The battle took place on 17 Ramadan 2 AH. Allah called this “The Day of
Distinguishing”.
D. The Quraish encamped in the ground while Muslims found the place on an uneven surface
but with the well in which they let Quraish take water. The night before the battle it rained
which was mercy for the Muslims. The Quraish’s area became muddy. The Holy Prophet
prayed to Allah for victory: “O Allah! If this small band of men perish there will be no one
alive to worship you. And your faith will be destroyed forever.” The prayer was accepted in
these words: “… I will assist you with a thousand Angels, rank on ranks.”
E. The Prophet encouraged the Muslims and ordered them not to break any of the rules they
had made. To identify each other they were told to fix a piece of cloth of the same color in
their turbans and made code words. Individual contest took place too; Utbah, Waleed and
Shaiba from the Quraish. Hamza, Ali and Ubaidah bin Harith from Muslims. The 3 Quraish
chiefs were killed and Ubaidah was injured.
F. The general battle started. The early loss of Quraish leaders weakened the army and they
ran away. Muslims collected the booty and brought back 70 captives. Only 14 Muslims were
martyred. Quraish had to pay 2 lakh and 50000 Dirhams to release rich captives. Muslims
treated captives of war very well. Those who were poor were set free. Those who were rich
had to pay and those who were learned had to teach 10 Muslims kids how to read and write.
Muslims blocked the trade route of Quraish to Syria and Iraq.