THE BATTLE OF BADR

 

THE BATTLE OF BADR

The Battle of Badr was the first of Islam's major decisive battles, and it took place on Ramadhan 17, in the second year after the emigration of the Noble Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) from Makkah to Madinah. The Muslims were able to vanquish their enemies in this battle in which Allah separated truth from falsehood and it became known as the Battle of Separation. This established the power of the Muslims and was one of the main driving forces toward the spread of Islam.

Badr is the name of the spot at which the battle took place, and is situated in the southwest of Madinah and was a meeting point between Madinah road and the road used by the caravans coming from Sham (Syria) to Makkah. It is a plain that is bordered by hills and mountains and is known for the abundance of date palms and water wells. The majority of its people now belong to the Harb tribe.

 

During the Noble Prophet's time, Badr was a watering station at which, the caravans used to get water for their camels, and once a year there was a market there. Historians say that the cause of the battle was that when the Quraish of Makkah were returning from Sham (Syria) the Prophet (ﷺ) sent two of his companions to get news of them. They reached a place called Alhawra and waited there until Abu Sufyan Ibn Harb, leader of the caravan arrived after which the two scouts hurried back to Madinah and informed the Noble Prophet (ﷺ).

The Prophet (ﷺ) is reported to have told his followers to go after the caravan, but no one was compelled to do so. He then departed with a contingent of just over 300 men and they had with them only two horses and 70 camels.

 

The man who was left behind in Madinah to lead the prayers was Ibn Umm Maktoom (RDA), and the army consisted of both immigrants: (Muhajireen) numbering 86 and supporters (Ansar) of the Awas and Khazraj tribes. The Prophet (ﷺ) divided the army into two detachments the Muhajireen led by Ali Ibn Abi Talib (RDA) and the supporters under the leadership of Sa'd Ibn Mu'adh. (RDA)

 

The contingent set off from Madinah until they reached a place called Safra from where the Prophet (ﷺ) sent two of his companions out to scout around and bring him intelligence reports.

 

Abu Sufyan the leader of the Quraish trading caravan changed course and he headed for the coast and thence to Makkah by which the caravan reached to safety. But before that he had already sent a messenger to Makkah to ask for help to rescue the caravan. The Quraish prepared a contingent of 1,300 warriors, who had 100 horses and an un-known number of camels. Commanding their army was Abu Jahl.

 

At Juhfah, they received a new message from Abu Sufyan telling them that the caravan was safe and that they should return to base. But when the men were just about to start the return journey, Abu Jahl, in his arrogance, told them not to turn around. He incited and exhorted them to war, and with the exception of 300 members of the Bani Zahrah tribe, the rest of the contingent obeyed his command.

 

The 1,000 men marched on, but when the Banu Hashim also wanted to return to Makkah, Abu Jahl refused them permission. The men reached a hillock situated at upper Adwa, bordering the Badr Valley.

 

The Prophet (ﷺ) learnt that the Quraish army was on its way, and he understood the gravity of the situation. He realized that a confrontation was inevitable. But the important thing was that it all depended on the attitude of the Ansar, because they had promised him they would protect him as long as he was in Madinah and there was no reference to any place outside it.

 

But the Ansar, under the command of Sa'd Ibn Mu'adh, were men of integrity and loyalty, for when the Prophet (ﷺ) asked them of their opinion, they made an apt reply and told him that he should fight the unbelievers and Allah would be with them. Whereupon the Noble Prophet (ﷺ) broke the news that Allah had promised victory for them.

 

Thus, the Muslim army moved and hurried to the well of Badr, to be the first to arrive there. When they reached there, Habab Ibn AI-Mundhir advised the Prophet (ﷺ) that they should fill all the wells except one near which a trough should be built, and used only by the Muslims for their drinking water. The Prophet (ﷺ) accepted the advice and approved the plan.

 

The numerically superior legion of the unbelievers arrived, and when the Noble Prophet (ﷺ) saw the huge army he raised his hands in supplication to Allah and beseeched His support and salvation. Thereupon, Allah sent him a revelation to the effect that He was with them, and that He would fill the unbelievers' hearts with fear and trepidation. Allah made it known to His Prophet (ﷺ) that He was sending down His angels to help him.

 

A few men of the Quraish, among them Hakeem Ibn Huzam and Utbah Ibn Rabi'ah, thought of returning home, but Abu Jahl incited the unbelievers to fight. Then the fighting started, and within a short time it began to intensify.

 

Three of the Quraish leaders, Utbah Ibn Rabi'ah, his brother Shaibah, and Al-Waleed Ibn Utbah, asked for a sword contest and suffered defeat at the swords of Hamzah (RDA), Ali (RDA) and Obaidah (RDA). This was a bad omen for the unbelievers. They attacked the Muslims ferociously, but the Muslims were steadfast and resisted them.

 

In a narration by Ibn Ishaq, it is said that the Prophet (ﷺ) told Abu Bakr (RDA) that Archangel Jibra'il had taken the reins of his horse and led him. Thereupon ordered a counter-attack against the unbelievers. He advised his men that whoever fought sincerely and died in the course of duty would be admitted to Paradise.

 

The Muslims fought hard and the angels came to their aid, and that was when signs of failure and tension in the ranks of the enemy began to show, Abu Jahl and Omayyah Ibn Khalaf were among the first casualties. Then followed AI-As Ibn Almughirah, Abu Albahtari, Ibn Hisham, and others among the Quraish stalwarts - 70 in all. Another 70 were taken prisoner by the Muslims, among them Abbas the Noble Prophet's (ﷺ) uncle, Utbah Ibn Abi Mu'eet, Nadhar  Ibn  AI-Harith, their  standard-bearer.

The Prophet (ﷺ) ordered the dumping of the bodies of the unbelievers in a deserted well, and the burial of the 14 (six Muhajireen and eight Ansar) Muslim martyrs.

 

As for the captives they were given two choices either pay a ransom, or those who were literate could teach Muslims how to read and write and then be set free.

 

The remnants of the Quraish army returned to Makkah in a disorganized manner - they dispersed into the valleys and the bushes and did not know how to get back to Makkah.

 

The people of Makkah were shocked over the defeat of their compatriots. They even forbade any wailing for the dead, so that they would not be jeered at by the Muslims.

 

As for the Noble Prophet (ﷺ), he sent the good news of the Muslims' victory of Madinah, but this news did not please the Jews and the hypocrites (Munafiqeen).

 

In the light of the Battle of Badr, some verses of the Glorious Quran were revealed, in which an account is given of the battle and the circumstances of the Muslims and unbelievers at that time. (Courtesy: The Muslim World)