The Circumstances leading to the Battle of Badr.
At the beginning of 624 AD, a large Qurayshi caravan en route to Makkah from Syria, and escorted by no more than 40 security guards, arrived at a place within reach of the Muslims. It contained goods that had been purchased with the Emigrants’ property. Naturally Abu Sufyan, the caravan’s leader, feared a Muslim attempt to retrieve their stolen property. And so he sent word to Makkah asking for help and reinforcements.
This caused an uproar throughout Makkah. Leading Qurayshi chiefs decided to fight the Prophet. About 1,000 fighters left Makkah, amidst much pomp and show, to crush the Muslims’ rising power. They also wanted, as always, to terrorize neighboring tribes to ensure their trade caravans’ continued safety
The Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم , always informed of developments that could affect his mission, realized that if an effective step were not taken right then, the preaching of Islam might suffer a blow. Had the Quraysh taken the initiative and attacked Madina, the city‘s small Muslim community might have. perished. Even if they only brought their caravan safely to Makkah by dint of their military strength, the Muslims political and military prestige would be undermined. Once this happened, their lives, property, and honour would be jeopardized. Deciding to use his available resources, the Prophet left Madina. Although He may have wanted a decisive battle with the Quraysh, most Muslims wanted to capture the caravan and retrieve their property. The Prophet assembled the people and told them that the Qurayshi trade caravan was in the north and its invading army was in the south, moving toward Madina. He also informed them that Allah had promised that they would be able to seize either party.” [1]. It was for them to choose which target to attack.
Aware of the Prophet’s intention, an Emigrant named Miqdad ibn ‘Amr رضي الله عنه, replied:
O Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم ! Proceed as Allah has commanded you We are with you wherever you go, even as far as Bark al-Ghimad. We shall not say, as the Children of Israel said to Moses: “Go forth, you and your Lord, and light. We shall remain here sitting.” We rather say: “Go forth, you and your Lord, and light, and we shall fight on your side as long as the eyelid of any one of us keeps moving.”[2]
Until the Battle of Badr, the Messenger had not sought military aid from the Ansar. This was the first time they would prove their commitment to Islam. Without addressing them directly, the Messenger again put the two alternatives before his audience. Realizing what the Messenger was doing, an Ansari named Sa‘d ibn Mu‘adh رضي الله عنه , the leader of the Aws tribe, rose and said:
O Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم . I think your question is directed to the Ansar. We believe in you, affirm that you are the Messenger of Allah, and bear witness to the truth of your teachings. We took the oath of allegiance to you that we would hear and obey you. O Messenger of Allah, do as you wish! By the One Who has sent you with the truth, if you were to take us to the sea and Plunge into it, none of us should remain behind. So take us along to the battlefield with Allah’s blessings.[3].
The decision was made to tight. This was also the decree of Allah.
The Makkan army consisted of 1,000 fighters, including 600 in coats of mail and 200 cavalrymen, and was accompanied by singers and dancers. Dancing and drinking parties were never it halted. The soldiers arrogantly vaunted their military power and numerical strength to the tribes and settlements it passed, and boasted of their invincibility.[4]. Even worse, they were fighting for no lofty ideal; rather, they sought to defeat the forces of belief, truth, justice, and good morals.
The Muslim army was made up of 313 fighters, 86 Emigrants and 227 Ansar. Only two or three Muslims had horses, for resources were scarce. There were no more than 70 camels, so three or four persons took turns riding each camel. The Messenger took turns with two others. When they asked him to ride the camel and exclude them from the turns, the Messenger answered: “You are not stronger than me. And as for the reward, I need it just as much as you do".[5]
The Muslim soldiers were fully devoted to and ready to die for the cause of Islam. To accomplish what He had decreed, Allah made the Messenger dream that the number of Makkan soldiers was small, just as He made the number of the Muslims appear smaller in the eyes of the Makkans (8:44).
The two armies met at Badr. The Makkans outnumbered the Muslims by three to one and were far better equipped. However, the Muslims were lighting for the most sublime cause: to establish Allah’s religion, based on belief, good morals, and justice. Deeply convinced of Islam’s truth and eager to die for it, they tere ready for battle. Being the first to reach the battlefield, they positioned themselves around the wells. They also benefited from the heavy down pour of the previous night, for it provided them with an abundant supply of water that they quickly stored in large containers.
The rain also compacted the loose sand in the upper part of the valley in which they pitched their tents. This allowed them plant their feet firmly and move with less difficulty In the valleys lower part, However, where the Quraysh army stationed itself, the ground was marshy.
The flanks were commanded by Ali and Sa'd ibn Muadh (رضي الله عنه). Ali was famous for his courage and deep devotion to the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم.
The Battle Begins
In the Quraysh’s first frontline were ‘Utba ibn Rabi‘a, his brother Shayba, and his son Walid. They challenged the Muslims to single combat. Three young Ansar went forward. “We will not fight Madina‘s farmers and shepherds!" ‘Utba shouted arrogantly. This was, in fact, what the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم expected. He ordered Ali, Hamza, and ‘Ubayda ibn Harith,(رضي الله عنه) forward for single combat. Hamza fought and killed ‘Utba, and ‘Ali killed Walid with two blows. ‘Ubayda, who was old, fought Shayba and was wounded on his knee. Hamza and and Ali rescued him, killed Shayba, and carried ‘Ubayda away.[6].
The Quraysh were shocked by such an unexpected beginning. The Muslims’ belief, sincerity, and valor won them Allah’s help. The Quraysh, who had exulted in their superiority in number and weaponry, were decisively defeated by the ill-equipped Muslims. Seventy Qurayshis were killed. ‘Awf and Mu‘awwidh (Two young Ansari brothers) joined with ‘Abd Allah ibn Mas‘ud to kill Abu Jahl, who the Messenger called the “Pharaoh of the Muslim Community."[7]. Almost all Qurayshi leaders were killed: Abu Jahl, Walid ibn Mughira, ‘Utba ibn Rabi‘a, ‘As ibn Sa‘id, Umayyah ibn Khalaf, and Nawfal ibn Khuwaylid. Prior to the battle, the Messenger had indicated the spots where they would die, saying: “‘Utba will be killed here; Abu Jahl here, Umayyah ibn Khalaf here,” and so on.[8].
Seventy Qurayshis were captured. Allah allowed the Muslims to ransom them, and some were released. Those who were literate were to be released only after teaching the unlettered Muslims how to read and write This policy had several benefits, captives who had expected execution gladly paid the ransom; Madina's low literacy rate was raised, making the newly literate Muslims more effective in preaching Islam and gaining people’s respect; literate captives could learn about Islam and be in close contact with Muslims, which would bring more people into Islam; and the captives’ families and relatives were so glad to see their presumed-dead family members that they became much more receptive to Islam. The decisive Victory made Islam a force to be reckoned with throughout Arabia, and many hardened hearts were inclined to accept Islam.
The Divine Intervention
Allah says in the Qur'an, Surah Anfal, Verse 9:
[Remember] when you asked help of your Lord, and He answered you, "Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand from the angels, following one another."Ibn Abbas says that this verse narrates about Battle of Badr. (Tanwir Al Miqbas).
Allah further mentions in the Qur'an, Surah Imran, Verse 123-125
And already had Allah given you victory at [the battle of] Badr while you were few in number. Then fear Allah ; perhaps you will be grateful.
[Remember] when you said to the believers, "Is it not sufficient for you that your Lord should reinforce you with three thousand angels sent down?
Yes, if you remain patient and conscious of Allah and the enemy come upon you [attacking] in rage, your Lord will reinforce you with five thousand angels having marks [of distinction].
Hence, it is clear from these verses of the Qur'an that the Muslim army at Badr, had the help of the Angels with the permission of Allah. This Divine Intervention lead to the victory of the Companions.
[1] Allah promised you that one of the two hosts would be yours, and you wished that the one with no power should be yours. But Allah willed to establish the truth through His words and to annihilate the disbelievers to the last remnants, than He might prove the truth to be true and falsify falsehood, even if the sinful are averse. (8:7-8)
[2] Ibn Sa'ad, Tabaqat, Vol 3, Pg 162.
[3] Imam Muslim, "Kitab Al Jihad wa Al Siyar," Hadith 30, Waqidi, Maghazi, Vol 1, Pg 48-49.
[4] Al Tabari, Tarikh, Vol 2, Pg 430.
[5] Ibn Hanbal, Musnad, Vol 1, Pg 411, 418.
[6] Ibn Hisham, Sirah, Vol 2, Pg 277.
[7] Ibid, Vol 2, Pg 280-287, Ibn Kathir, Sirah, Vol 3, Pg 350.
[8] Abu Dawud, Vol 2, Pg 53, Muslim, Vol 5, Pg 170.
Note: The following description of the Battle of Badr is taken from the book, "The Infinite Light", by Fetehullah Gulen.
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