Battle of Badr:

- Background
● The Great Caravan of Quraysh which went to Syria in Jamadi-al-Ula, under the
head of Abu Sufyan, was to come back in Ramadan 2 A.H.
● This was one of the biggest caravans of Quraish in which 50,000 Dinars were
invested. Abu Sufyan spoke about this as follows: "By God, there was no
Quraish man or woman who had not invested, what they had, in the
Caravan."
● The profit of this caravan had to be spent on waging the war (against Muslims in
Madina). The Holy Prophet (SAW) was informed that Abu Sufyan's caravan was
on its way back to Makkah from Syria.
● He wanted to give a lesson to the Quraish for looting Madina's pastoral lands.
Therefore, he decided to intercept the caravan so that the Quraish would
seriously think in future before attempting any foolishness.
● He left Madina for the caravan on 8 Ramadan 2 AH. as Madina was on their
trade-route to Syria. It was in their interest to live peacefully and not to disturb
God-loving people
● When Abu Sufyan knew about the plan of the Holy Prophet (SAW) to intercept
the caravan, he hired a man named Damdam and asked him to go to Makkah to
inform the Quraish about Muslims advance
● In the meantime, Abu Sufyan changed his route and returned to Makkah along
the sea coast and passed unintercepted
● On their way to Madina, the Quraish were informed about Sufyan's return after
which some of the Quraish chiefs thought to go back to Makkah but Abu Jahl
and others wanted to fight and they incited the Makkans specially 'Amir bin
Hadrami, the brother of Amr bin Hadrami (who was killed in the expedition of
Abdullah bin Jahash)
● This also shows that one of the main motives of Quraish's invasion at Badr was
also to take revenge for Amr bin Hadrami's death (at the hands of Muslims)
and in fact this became the only motive after Abu Sufyan reached Makkah safely.
- Events
● Now both the Holy Prophet (SAW) along with his companions and the Quraish
were advancing towards Badr, a village about 80 miles away from Madina.
● The Quraish were under the command of Abu Jahl, the arch enemy of Islam and
the Holy Prophet (SAW).
● They were 1000 in number and were fully equipped. Their army included 300
horses and 700 camels.
● Muslims were only 313 or 300 in number and were in possession of only two (02)
horses and seventy (70) camels.
● They were not equipped with arms like the Quraish.
● The Quraish reached the battlefield earlier and occupied the points of advantage.
The Muslims could not get any well or spring.
● Moreover the sandy soil was causing the feet of camels to sink. Then it was
suggested by Hubab bin Munzar to take possession of a nearby big spring.
● The suggestion was accepted by the Holy Prophet (SAW) and he asked the
Muslims to take over the spring.
● By the grace of Allah, it rained heavily and small reservoirs were improvised for
storing water. The Holy Qur'an speaks about this as follows:"And He sent
down water from the sky that thereby He might purify you."
● Although the Muslims were in full control of water, the Holy Prophet (SAW)
allowed the enemies to make use of the water.
● The two armies rested in their camps at Badr for the night. The Holy Prophet
(SAW) prayed all the night, weeping and repeating in the following words:
"O Allah, if this small band of Believers perish this day, no one will be
left on earth to worship Thee."
● The battle began on the morning of Friday, the 17th of Ramadan, 2 A.H (March,
624 A.D).
● Three leaders of the Quraish named Shaibah, Utbah and Walid bin Utbah
first came to challenge the Muslims. The challenge was accepted by three great
generals of Islam: Ubaidh bin Al-Harith. Hamzah bin Abdul Muttalib, and Ali ibn
Abi Talib (RA)
● Shaibah vs Hamza
● Walid vs Ali
● Utba vs Ubaydah -> Utba wounded him but got killed by Ali and Hamza
● Then Ubaidah bin Sa'd bin Al-As, a famous warrior among the Quraish
challenged the Muslims. His challenge was accepted by Hazrat Zubair, who
killed him with a spear.
● These single handed combats were followed by a general attack by the Quraish
upon the Muslims.
● But in a short time the prominent leaders were either slain or made prisoners.
● Abu Jahl the commander of the-army was killed by two teen-aged boys of the
Ansar named Maudh and Mu adh.
● The rest of the Quraish army took to their heels and ran from the battlefield.
They were followed and a number of them were slain or made prisoners.
● 70 Quraysh captured
● 70 Qiraysh killed
● 14 Muslims martyred
● The victory at the Badr was a clear help of Almighty Allah. Indeed, it was a
glorious spiritual victory of the truth (Haq) over the Falsehood (Batil) with
marvellous Divine Help. The Holy Qur'an speaks about this at a number of
places:
● "Indeed there was a sign for you in the two Hosts which met together in
encounter; one party fighting in the Way of Allah, and the other unbelieving...
● And Allah strengthens with His aid whom He pleases; most surely there is a
lesson in this for those who have eyes to see."
● It again says: "Allah had helped you at Badr, when you were contemptible little
force; then observe your duty to Allah in order to show your gratitude. When you
did say to the believers: Does it not suffice you that your Lord should help you
with three thousand angels sent down (to your help)." (3: 123-124)
● According to the historians the angels referred to in the above verse (3:124) came
down with three archangels viz. Jibr'il, Mika'il and Israfil, each of them was
accompanied by 1000 angels.
● The prisoners of war were treated with exemplary kindness showing
magnanimity of the Islamic Principles. They were given the best food to eat in a
condition when the Muslims themselves took only plain dates.
● The Holy Prophet (SAW) was very kind and sympathetic to his enemies. He
consulted his companions about the treatment with the prisoners of war.
● Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) suggested: "They are our own relatives and kinsmen. They
should be set free on ransom." the Holy Prophet (SAW) preferred Hazrat Abu
Bakr's opinion and set them free on ransom.
- Significance
● The battle of Badr, of course, is the most decisive one in the history of Islam. If
the Muslims could not achieve success in this battle, Islam might have been
wiped out forever from the face of the earth.
● It was indeed a struggle between the forces of light and darkness, between the
truth and falsehood.
● It proved, of course, a great triumph of truth over the falsehood, light over
darkness only because of Allah's help. This victory inspired Muslims with new
hope and encouraged them for future success.
● The victory of Badr resulted in the consolidation of the power of the Prophet in
Yathrib.
● The most important result of the battle, however, was the deepening of the faith
of Muhammad himself and-his closest companions in his prophetic vocation.
● The victory gave Muslims confidence in their physical power. They could now
meet force with force.
● Muslims were soon recognised as a power to be reckoned with, and smaller tribes
were cautioned against joining forces against them.
● Muslims victory dealt a severe blow to the prestige of the Quraish. The
humiliation of the defeat made the Makkans more bitter and furious and the
word vengeance was on many lips.
● Just as the Prophet is an exemplar to all Muslims so is Badr the ideal of all
Muslim battles. When Muslims fight, they must fight for the love of Ailth only
and to establish His truth.
● The disbelievers (throughout Arabia) and the Jews first time became aware of the
new power in the name of Islam and they began to feel the strength of Muslims.