Another momentous event in the history of Islam that occurred on the 17th of Ramadan, in 624 AD, was the Great Battle of Badr. The following is a summary of the event.
Location: Badr is located about 80 miles from Madina
Date: Friday, 17th Ramadan 2 AH, 13th March 624 AD.
Muslim Army: 313 men, mainly infantry with 2 horses and 70 camels
Mushrikeen Army: 1000 men, mainly riders with 100 horses and 700 camels
Muslim Martyrs: Vary between 14 and 100 according to different traditions
Mushrikeen killed: 72 out of which 36 killed by Imam Ali a.s.
Result: Battle won by the Muslims
Date: Friday, 17th Ramadan 2 AH, 13th March 624 AD.
Muslim Army: 313 men, mainly infantry with 2 horses and 70 camels
Mushrikeen Army: 1000 men, mainly riders with 100 horses and 700 camels
Muslim Martyrs: Vary between 14 and 100 according to different traditions
Mushrikeen killed: 72 out of which 36 killed by Imam Ali a.s.
Result: Battle won by the Muslims
"And indeed Allah assisted you at Badr when you were weak, so be careful (to your duty) to Allah so that you may be of the thankful ones. When you said to the believers 'Does it not suffice you that your Lord should assist you with three thousand angels sent down...'" [Surah Ali-Imran 3:123 and 124]
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| The old town of Al Badr |
A Historical Perspective
The Battle of Badr was the first of the great battles of Islam. The faithfuls were put to the first real test during this battle. Badr is the name of a celebrated well and a market-place of Arabia, and is so named after a certain Badr bin Quraish bin Mukhlad bin an-Nadr bin Kananah, who hailed from the clan of Ghaffar.
From the start of Ramadan, a report reached Madina that a large trading caravan of Quraish was returning to Mecca from Syria under the leadership of Abu Sufyan bin Harb accompanied by fifty armed guards. It has been pointed out that this richly loaded caravan constituted a grave threat to the security of Madina, therefore, Prophet Mohammad s.a.w. dispatched Talha bin Ubaidullah and Saeed bin Zaid, to gather intelligence about the caravan and to report back. It was discovered that it was a large caravan in which all the Makkans had shares. The Quraish had decided to put all their savings into it and use the profits on arms, horses and other items of war to use against the Muslims.
The news was highly disturbing. The Prophet (S.A.W) left Madina and decided to meet the caravan in Badr with 313 men. Among them only 2 were on horses and 70 had camels and the rest were on foot. There were only 6 men with protective gear (zirah). Imam Ali a.s. was the standard bearer of the Muslim army.
Abu Sufyan feared an attack from the Muslims and sent a messenger to Mecca telling them of his fears. On receiving the message, an army of 1000 men, 100 horses and 700 camels under the leadership of Abu Jahl left Makkah to go to Badr. Meanwhile Abu Sufyan took a different route back to Makkah avoiding Badr. When the army of Abu Jahl reached Jahfah, a little half-way to Badr, an emissary of Abu Sufyan - or Abu Sufyan himslef according to some traditions - met with the army of Abu Jahl and informed them that the caravan had passed through the danger zone safely and that it was not necessary to march towards Madina. On hearing this, some of them counselled that they should go back, but Abu Jahl and his party rejected the suggestion violently in their proudness and the lust of power and their desire to crush the Muslim army and proceeded towards Badr.
The Importance of the First Great Battle of Islam
The personality of the Messenger s.a.w., his leadership and his unequalled firmness were critical. He was to the Muslims the final refuge at Badr and at every battle he attended. The Hashmites (the clan of the Prophet s.a.w.) were led by Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib a.s. who entered this battle relatively obscure and came out with unequalled military fame. His military performances, as well as that of the Companions of the Prophet s.a.w., became the popular subject of the Arab caravans conversations throughout the Arabic Peninsula.
The hearts of the hundreds of companions of the Messenger were filled with the faith and readiness for sacrifice. Many of them viewed martyrdom to be a gain, equal to life and victory. These good companions were the army of Islam, its first line of defense and thick wall behind which the Messenger s.a.w. used to stand. They were the attackers and the defenders.
The importance of the outcome of the battle were evident from the prayers of the Prophet s.a.w. himself. Abdul Malik ibn Hushham narrates in his book As-Seerah An-Nabawiyah that the Prophet s.a.w. prayed to his Lord:
The Battle of Badr was the first of the great battles of Islam. The faithfuls were put to the first real test during this battle. Badr is the name of a celebrated well and a market-place of Arabia, and is so named after a certain Badr bin Quraish bin Mukhlad bin an-Nadr bin Kananah, who hailed from the clan of Ghaffar.
From the start of Ramadan, a report reached Madina that a large trading caravan of Quraish was returning to Mecca from Syria under the leadership of Abu Sufyan bin Harb accompanied by fifty armed guards. It has been pointed out that this richly loaded caravan constituted a grave threat to the security of Madina, therefore, Prophet Mohammad s.a.w. dispatched Talha bin Ubaidullah and Saeed bin Zaid, to gather intelligence about the caravan and to report back. It was discovered that it was a large caravan in which all the Makkans had shares. The Quraish had decided to put all their savings into it and use the profits on arms, horses and other items of war to use against the Muslims.
The news was highly disturbing. The Prophet (S.A.W) left Madina and decided to meet the caravan in Badr with 313 men. Among them only 2 were on horses and 70 had camels and the rest were on foot. There were only 6 men with protective gear (zirah). Imam Ali a.s. was the standard bearer of the Muslim army.
Abu Sufyan feared an attack from the Muslims and sent a messenger to Mecca telling them of his fears. On receiving the message, an army of 1000 men, 100 horses and 700 camels under the leadership of Abu Jahl left Makkah to go to Badr. Meanwhile Abu Sufyan took a different route back to Makkah avoiding Badr. When the army of Abu Jahl reached Jahfah, a little half-way to Badr, an emissary of Abu Sufyan - or Abu Sufyan himslef according to some traditions - met with the army of Abu Jahl and informed them that the caravan had passed through the danger zone safely and that it was not necessary to march towards Madina. On hearing this, some of them counselled that they should go back, but Abu Jahl and his party rejected the suggestion violently in their proudness and the lust of power and their desire to crush the Muslim army and proceeded towards Badr.
The Importance of the First Great Battle of Islam
The personality of the Messenger s.a.w., his leadership and his unequalled firmness were critical. He was to the Muslims the final refuge at Badr and at every battle he attended. The Hashmites (the clan of the Prophet s.a.w.) were led by Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib a.s. who entered this battle relatively obscure and came out with unequalled military fame. His military performances, as well as that of the Companions of the Prophet s.a.w., became the popular subject of the Arab caravans conversations throughout the Arabic Peninsula.
The hearts of the hundreds of companions of the Messenger were filled with the faith and readiness for sacrifice. Many of them viewed martyrdom to be a gain, equal to life and victory. These good companions were the army of Islam, its first line of defense and thick wall behind which the Messenger s.a.w. used to stand. They were the attackers and the defenders.
The importance of the outcome of the battle were evident from the prayers of the Prophet s.a.w. himself. Abdul Malik ibn Hushham narrates in his book As-Seerah An-Nabawiyah that the Prophet s.a.w. prayed to his Lord:
"God this is Quraish. It has come with all its arrogance and boastfulness, trying to discredit Thy Apostle. God, I ask Thee to humiliate them tomorrow. God, if this Muslim band will perish today, Thou shall not be worshipped."
The Battle
In the beginning as per Arab custom, single combat (one to one) took place. The famous Quraysh warriors Utbah ibn Rabi'ah (the father-in-law of Abu Sufyan), his son Walid ibn Utbah and his brother Shebah ibn Rabi'ah, came to challenge the Muslim warriors. Hundreds of companions were around the Prophet s.a.w. and many of them were expecting to be called upon to start the battle but the Prophet s.a.w. chose to start from his own family. The load was heavy and the heavy load could be carried only by the people to whom it belonged as he called upon Imam Ali a.s., Al-Hamza and Obeidah Al Harith (all from the clan of the Prophet s.a.w.) to face the three warriors. Imam Ali a.s. destroyed Al-Walid and Al-Hamza killed Utbah; then they both assisted Obeidah against his opponent Sheibah. Sheibah died immediately and Obeidah was the first martyr at this battle. He died after he lost his leg.
The Quraysh got disturbed and began attacking en masse. When the general offensive began, hundreds of companions participated in the battle and offered sacrifices and pleased Allah. But the members of the house of the Prophet s.a.w. distinguished themselves. Imam Ali (a.s.)'s endeavour was unique at this battle. When Hanthala Ibn Abu Sufyan faced him, Imam Ali a.s. liquified his eyes with one blow from his sword. He annihilated Al Auss Ibn Saeed, and met Tuaima Ibn Oday and transfixed him with his spear, saying "You shall not dispute with us in God after today."
In the thick of the battle, the Prophet s.a.w. prayed to Allah s.w.t. In Surah Al-Anfaal Allah s.w.t gave the answer:
"When you asked for help from your Lord, He answered you. Indeed I will aid you with a thousand of the Angels in rows behind rows". [Surah Al-Anfaal 8:9]
According to authentic tradition, Allah s.w.t had already promised victory to the Muslims following the prayers of the Prophet Mohammad s.a.w. and during the battle, Allah s.w.t sent down first one thousand then three thousand and then five thousand Angels to help the Muslim army. According to some narrators of the army of infidels, they saw these warriors having a sword in one hand and a whip in the other and whoever got stuck by the whip was instantly killed.The Results
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| The names of the 14 martyrs killed in the Battle of Badr |
The mushrakeen army got frightened and began to retreat. The skill of Imam Ali a.s., the other Muslim soldiers and the sight of so many Angels struck terror in the enemies hearts. 72 Kuffar were killed including their leader Abu Jahl. Imam Ali a.s. killed no less that 20 of them, though some historians give his credit of killing 36 of them. 14 Muslims were martyred.
70 prisoners were taken by the Muslims. This was the first opportunity of the Muslims after their long and bitter sufferings at the hands of the Meccans to wreak vengeance on them, if they chose. However, the prisoners were treated with kindness and some became Muslims. In later days some of the prisoners said: "blessed be the men of Medina, they made us ride whilst they walked, they gave us wheat and bread to eat when there was little of it contenting themselves with plain dates." The rich prisoners paid ransom and were set free. Others were asked to gain their freedom by teaching 10 Muslims to read and write.
The battle of Badr strengthened the faith of the Muslims and laid the foundation of the Islamic State and made out of the Muslims a force to be reckoned with by the dwellers of the Arabic Peninsula.
70 prisoners were taken by the Muslims. This was the first opportunity of the Muslims after their long and bitter sufferings at the hands of the Meccans to wreak vengeance on them, if they chose. However, the prisoners were treated with kindness and some became Muslims. In later days some of the prisoners said: "blessed be the men of Medina, they made us ride whilst they walked, they gave us wheat and bread to eat when there was little of it contenting themselves with plain dates." The rich prisoners paid ransom and were set free. Others were asked to gain their freedom by teaching 10 Muslims to read and write.
The battle of Badr strengthened the faith of the Muslims and laid the foundation of the Islamic State and made out of the Muslims a force to be reckoned with by the dwellers of the Arabic Peninsula.
Lessons from the Battle of Badr
The Battle of Badr is a great example from our history that teaches: "victory does not depend on numbers or collecting weapons and shields - Victory is from Allah."
The Battle of Badr is a great example from our history that teaches: "victory does not depend on numbers or collecting weapons and shields - Victory is from Allah."
"How often has a small group overcome a might host by Allah's leave. And Allah is with the patient." [Surah Al-Baqarah 2: 249]
However, Allah only grants victory to those who believe in Him and put their complete trust in Him. Allah sent blessing and help to the believers in the Battle of Badr and made them victorious over the disbelieving pagans only after putting them to trial! Allah tested the Muslims for ten years in Mecca and then He tested them again by the order to migrate to Al-Medina leaving behind all possessions.
It was the result of the strong trust of the Sahabah (the Companions of the Prophet s.a.w.) in Allah that they willingly marched towards the battlefield, even though they knew that the disbelievers had come with huge army and weaponry.
It was their craving for Allah's Pleasure and Paradise that they proclaimed: "We will fight along with you. By Allah! If you were to take us to Bark al-Ghimad, we will still fight with determination against its defender until you gained it." So after Allah had tested them, He made them stand firm against their enemies, and granted them the courage to fight them. It was only by the Help of Allah and His Blessings that the Muslims could defeat the disbeliever who were three time greater in number and well-equipped.
Otherwise, in the times of Jahiliyyah (ignorance - the time before Islam), these very same people were the weakest of people found on the face of the earth, as Imam Ibn Katheer (rahimahullah) mentions the statement of Qatadah Ibn Di'amah as-Sadusi in the Tafseer of Surah Al-Anfaal 8:26:
It was the result of the strong trust of the Sahabah (the Companions of the Prophet s.a.w.) in Allah that they willingly marched towards the battlefield, even though they knew that the disbelievers had come with huge army and weaponry.
It was their craving for Allah's Pleasure and Paradise that they proclaimed: "We will fight along with you. By Allah! If you were to take us to Bark al-Ghimad, we will still fight with determination against its defender until you gained it." So after Allah had tested them, He made them stand firm against their enemies, and granted them the courage to fight them. It was only by the Help of Allah and His Blessings that the Muslims could defeat the disbeliever who were three time greater in number and well-equipped.
Otherwise, in the times of Jahiliyyah (ignorance - the time before Islam), these very same people were the weakest of people found on the face of the earth, as Imam Ibn Katheer (rahimahullah) mentions the statement of Qatadah Ibn Di'amah as-Sadusi in the Tafseer of Surah Al-Anfaal 8:26:
"Arabs were the weakest of the weak, had the toughest life, the emptiest stomach, the barest skin and the most obvious misguidance. Those who lived among them lived in misery; those who died went to the Fire. They were being eaten up, but unable to eat others! By Allah! We do not know of a people on the face of the earth at that time who had a worse life than them. When Allah brought Islam, He made it dominant on the earth and thus bringing provisions and leadership for them over the necks of people. It is through Islam that Allah granted all what you see, so thank Him for His favors, for your Lord is One Who bestows favors and likes praise."
It was due to their cowardice that when Abrahah attacked their most sacred city, Mecca, and resolved to demolish the Ka'bah, they evacuated Mecca and ran away with their wives and children to mountain tops. But when they embraced Islam, believed in Allah, avoided sins and purely followed the teaching of Allah's Messenger - Allah made them the rulers of the world. They triumphed at the time of Allah's Messenger s.a.w and after his death. The Kuffar feared the Muslims!
But when the Muslims abandoned the life of righteousness and adopted sins, Allah, the Exalted, snatched away His Blessings from them and they were left to their state of misery. However, even today, if we Muslims were to believe in Allah and put complete trust in Him Alone, then Allah will help the Muslims over the Kuffar. It is the result of our sins that in many parts of the world Muslims are being oppressed by the Kuffar and subjugated to hardships.
Today, if we show willingness to sacrifice our wealth and lives for the sake of Allah, and purely follow the teachings of Allah's Messenger s.a.w., Allah will remove our hardships and grant us victory and supremacy over the Kuffar.
Allah says:
But when the Muslims abandoned the life of righteousness and adopted sins, Allah, the Exalted, snatched away His Blessings from them and they were left to their state of misery. However, even today, if we Muslims were to believe in Allah and put complete trust in Him Alone, then Allah will help the Muslims over the Kuffar. It is the result of our sins that in many parts of the world Muslims are being oppressed by the Kuffar and subjugated to hardships.
Today, if we show willingness to sacrifice our wealth and lives for the sake of Allah, and purely follow the teachings of Allah's Messenger s.a.w., Allah will remove our hardships and grant us victory and supremacy over the Kuffar.
Allah says:
"Allah has promised those among you who believe and do righteous good deeds, that He will certainly grant them succession to (the present rulers) in the earth, as He granted it to those who before them, and He will grant them the authority to practice their religion that which He has chosen for them (i.e. Islam). And He will surely give them in exchange security after their fear (provided) they (believers) worship Me and do not associate anything (in worship) with Me. But whosoever disbelieves after this, they are the Fasiqun (rebellious, disobedient to Allah)." [Surah An-Nur 24: 55]
[ Source: Ziaraat.com and Ahya.org (edited). Images added.]
Great info..
ReplyDeleteWent there recently. Salafis moved us along. They obviously dont want muslims to learn anything from the battle of badr
ReplyDelete