“And when Allah promised you one of the two parties that it shall be yours and you loved that the one not armed should be yours and Allah desired to manifest the truth of what was true by His words and to cut off the root of the unbelievers (i.e the battle of Badr)(Quran 8:7)
After the Prophet Muhammad’s pbuh migration, he arrived in Medina, a place with diverse circumstances. There were three group of people i.e the people of book, hypocrites, and Ansar (supporters of the Prophet pbuh). The Ansar, specifically from the tribes of Aus and Khazraj, invited the Prophet to establish governance, thus accepting his leadership. However, the hypocrites aimed to undermine Islam by outwardly supporting it while seeking to harm it from within. The people of the book, with an ulterior mindset, spread misinformation-defaming Islam and Muslims.
This situation posed a threat to Islam from internal hypocritical elements and external adversaries like the Quraysh and other disbelievers. To ensure Islam’s survival, enthusiasm for martyrdom and zeal for jihad were cultivated among Muslims in Medina. This was to facilitate adherence to the religion’s demands and remove obstacles hindering its propagation. Permission for Jihad and combat was granted in Medina. Prophet Muhammad pbuh was very much alert and concerned about the protection of his followers. During the Medinan era, alongside individual directives, the social instructions was aldo revealed.
The establishment of a foundational aspect of Islam in Medina laid the groundwork for the entire pillar of Islam, similar to placing a small but crucial brick. Consequently, social directives and guidelines were revealed to ensure the prosperity of the religion, emphasizing both economic jihad and self-purification Jihad (struggle). Moreover, efforts were made to refine individual conduct and ethics during this period.
The Causes of battle of Badr
There were commom economy trade routes to Syria, which also passed near Medina, raising concerns of disruptions by disbelievers that could affect their trade. Muslims were concerned about the potential threat from Quraysh’s trade caravans, fearing they might pose harm. Consequently, the Prophet pbuh maintained vigilance over Quraysh’s movements and at times dispatched companions to monitor them. On one occasion, Abu Sufyan was returning from a trade journey to Syria when rumors spread about Muslims planning to loot and cause harm. This news reached Mecca, prompting Abu Jahl to lead a force of a thousand armed men known as the Badr army.
Upon Abu Sufyan’s safe return to Mecca, the Quraysh requested Abu Jahl’s return, but he disregarded them and opted to capture a strategic point at Badr. Concurrently, the Prophet instructed Muslims to prepare, and over 300 companions, unsure if they were facing a trade caravan or a fully armed force, departed from Medina. After covering some distance, the Prophet pbub sought counsel from the Muslims. The migrants expressed their loyalty and willingness to sacrifice, while the Ansar awaited Sa’d bin Mu’adh’s declaration of their stance. Sa’d bin Mu’adh confirmed their loyalty by stating, “O Messenger of Allah, we will not say as the followers of Moses said: ‘Go you and your Lord and fight; we are sitting right here.’ Rather, we will fight on your right and on your left, and in front of you and behind you, and your enemy will not reach you until they have to fight us over our dead bodies.”
In another narration, they said, “O Messenger of Allah, fighting is a common occurrence, and if you command us to jump into the sea, we will do so.” In response, the Prophet ordered the march towards Badr, and after a journey of two to three days, the Islamic army reached near the well of Badr. This sandy area caused concern among the companions.
The Prophet entered his tent and prayed fervently throughout the night, imploring, “O Allah, if this group perishes, there will be none left to worship You on earth.” In response, Allah granted the Prophet encouraging news, specifying the defeat of certain enemies at particular locations. Fate unfolded, aided by a heavy rain that solidified the ground, preventing the enemy’s feet from sinking and granting the Muslims an advantage on the battlefield.
The following day, Prophet Muhammad pbuh strategically arranged the Muslim army’s ranks, making them appear twice their actual number. Meanwhile, Abu Jahl dispatched a representative to assess the Muslim forces. Upon return, the representative advised against engaging them, noting that they were not just 300 men but resembled death itself, prepared to fight to the end without hesitation.
The Battle of Badr occurred on the 17th of Ramadan, in the second year after Hijra, at Badr’s location, marking the commencement of the struggle between truth and falsehood. In individual combat, Hamza, Ali, and Ubaydah R.A triumphed over Utbah, Walid, and Shaybah. The disbelievers suffered losses, and the spots where they fell mirrored what Allah had revealed in a dream to Prophet Muhammad pbuh the day prior to the battle.
Following Allah’s directive, the Prophet cast a handful of sand towards the enemies of Islam. As the skirmish ensued, a sudden fierce wind blew in a direction adverse to the enemy, engulfing them in dust and confusion. The two young brothers, Muadh and Muawwidh, standing next to Abdur-Rahman bin Awf approached Abu Jahl. They hit him with their swords and knocked him Abu Jahl in a burst of anger.
The disbelievers of Mecca found themselves in disarray, leaving 70 dead on the battlefield and fleeing, abandoning 70 others as captives, while around a dozen Muslim soldiers attained martyrdom. This battle’s outcome tilted the scale in favor of the Muslims, despite the apparent disparity in resources and warriors.
The battle of Badr is also known as “Yaum ul Furqan”, when truth prevailed and falsehood vanished. Muslim were blessed with a pivotal victory which vanished Falsehood in spite of overwhelming odds stacking against them. Allah granted Muslim an outstanding victory in this holy month of Ramadan.
Islamic Gems 