At the beginning of the month of Ramadan, 2 AH, news came to Al-Madeenah that a Makkan caravan was coming from
The Makkan trade caravan became informed of the movement of the Muslim party. Abu Sufyan, the head of the caravan, and who was a disbeliever at that time led it off the main routes. He also hired Damdam ibn 'Amr Al-Ghifaari to hurry to Makkah with the information that the caravan was facing danger from the Muslims, and they should rush to help it and save their goods. In the wake of this news, Abu Jahl marched forward with great enthusiasm from Makkah at the head of a large army consisting of seven hundred camels and three hundred horses. The entire army was armed to the teeth and the reciters of martial songs also accompanied the army. Al-'Abbaas ibn 'Abdul-Muttalib, 'Utbah ibn Rabee'ah, Umayyah ibn Khalf, Nadar ibn Al-Haarith, Abu Jahl ibn Hishaam and others, a total of thirteen men in all were assigned the duty of serving food to the army. The Muslim party sent to terrorize the trade caravan came back to Al-Madeenah.
The Battle of Badr
Abu Sufyan sent word to Abu Jahl that he had arrived at Makkah and that he should also come back. But Abu Jahl turned down the suggestion. Abu Jahl had, in truth, not come out with the army simply to provide safety but also to avenge the killing of 'Amr ibn Al-Hadrami at the hands of a Muslim party dispatched by the Prophet to Nakhlah to probe some incident.
The Quraysh had already started preparations to retaliate. They were about to invade Al-Madeenah when Damdam ibn 'Amr reached Makkah to seek their help. Abu Jahl was marching towards Al-Madeenah. The Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, became aware of the movement of the Quraysh army and all the notable chieftains accompanying the Makkan troops.
The Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, summoned his followers and asked for their advice regarding the current development and said to the Companions: "Makkah has sent you its best fighters. What do you think about facing them?" First of all Abu Bakr and then 'Umar ibn Khattaab and Al-Miqdaad, may Allah be pleased with them, uttered words of valor and determination. The last one said: "O Prophet of Allah, we will not say as the Children of Israel said to Moses: 'Go you and your Lord and fight, we will sit here'." The Prophet asked again for their advice. By this he really wanted to know the reaction of the Ansaar for all the three who had pledged their support and loyalty belonged to the Muhajireen. When the Prophet put the same question again, the Ansaar now realized that the question was meant for them.
Their original pledge with him implied their defending him in Al-Madeenah and did not put them under any obligation to take part in a military expedition outside their territory. Sa'd ibn Mu'aath, may Allah be pleased with him, immediately got up to say in reply: "O Prophet of Allah, it seems as if you are addressing to us and you want to have our answer." "Yes," the Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, said. Sa'd then said, "We have believed in you and have full faith in your being Allah's Messenger. How can it be possible that Allah's Messenger would go out to fight the disbelievers and we remain sitting in our houses? These disbelievers are, after all, men like us. How can we fear them? If you command us to plunge into the sea, we will do so."
Lack of Means:
Satisfied with the staunch support and determination of the Companions, the Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, resolved to march out. The total number of the combatants did not exceed 310 or 312 or 313 according to the different na. When they were finally examined outside the city, some minor children were found accompanying the troops who were not fit to take part in battle yet. Thus the Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, asked them to go back. Some of them persistently entreated to be enlisted and of those some were granted permission to accompany the army. It was in no way a well-equipped force. This Islamic army had only two horses under the charge of Az-Zubayr ibn Al-'Awwaam and Al-Miqdaad, may Allah be pleased with them, and seventy camels to be mounted by three or four persons at a time. Many others accompanied on foot. On reaching Badr, the Islamic army noticed that the enemy force had already captured the raised piece of land and pitched their tents on it. The Muslims had to take the low-lying sandy spot. However, the wells of Badr were under the control of the Muslim force. The Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, issued orders that any of the disbelievers coming for water must not be prevented. A hut of palm branches was erected for the Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, on an elevation overlooking the battlefield. He prayed and invoked the help and blessings of Allah.
The number of the Companions were one-third of the Makkans, and their weapons were less than one-hundredth of what the Quraysh army had. Their army consisted of young and strong men, and all wearing armor. The Muslims were, on the other hand, starving, weak, sick and old. Most of them didn't even possess simple weapons. Some of them had swords but no bows and arrows, while others possessed spears but no swords. When the Muslims encamped, the disbelievers sent 'Umayr ibn Wahb Al-Jumahi as a spy to find out the number of Muslim soldiers. 'Umayr reported that they were not more than 310, having a total cavalry of only two. The height of the disbelievers arrogance may be gauged from the statement of 'Utbah ibn Rabee'ah who scornfully remarked, "Let us go back without a fight," meaning the disgracefully low number of the Muslims was no match for the large and well-equipped army of the Makkans. But Abu Jahl vehemently opposed the proposal expressing his firm determination to exterminate them no matter how few they were.
Beginning of War:
At last, on Ramadan 17, 2 AH, when the two armies came face to face, the Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, returned to his small hut and beseeched Allah for Divine help. He entreated the Lord:
"O Allah! If you were to exterminate this small group of Muslims, you will not be worshipped on earth any more."
He then offered two Rak'ah of prayer. Following this, he dozed a little and then came out fresh and smiling from his hut and said with utmost confidence:
"The enemy force will be defeated. They will take to their heels."
The Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, had already issued an order not to initiate the fighting. There were approximately eighty Muslims from the Muhajireen and the rest belonged to the Ansaar. Among the Ansaar, sixty-one were from Al-Aws and one hundred and seventy from Al-Khazraj. The ranks on both sides were set in order. The Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, was setting the ranks with an arrow in his hand.
In the meantime, in accordance with the Arabian fashion, 'Utbah and Shaybah sons of Rabee'ah and Al-Waleed ibn 'Utbah stepped forward, and in response to their call, three of the Ansaar, 'Awf and Mu'awwidh—the sons of 'Afra' and 'Abdullaah ibn Rawaahah came forward to give them battle. 'Utbah asked, "Who are you?" "We are the Ansaar," they answered. "We have fight with you," 'Utbah said in a tone filled with arrogance. He then called out: "O Muhammad; send our peers, men of our own tribe." The Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, said, "Go ahead, O Hamzah ibn 'Abdul-Muttalib to give battle to 'Utbah, 'Ubaydah ibn Al-Haarith to fight with Shaybah—the brother of 'Utbah, and 'Ali ibn Abu Taalib to engage Al-Waleed—the son of 'Utbah." With the order, all the three Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, rose from their spots and came face to face with their respective rivals. 'Utbah wanted to know their names although he knew them very well. Then hearing their names he said, "Yes, we will fight with you." The confrontation began. Hamzah and 'Ali, may Allah be them, put the father and the son 'Utbah and Al-Waleed to the sword. 'Ubaydah and Shaybah both received injuries in the encounter. 'Ali ibn Abu Taalib and Hamzah did away with the enemy of Islam and brought 'Ubaydah to the Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam.
Now the disbelievers launched a full-scale attack and the Muslim troops also moved forward to face their enemies. Both sides showed great valor. As the day of Badr drew towards its close, the defeated disbelievers fled the battlefield leaving behind seventy men slain and seventy as prisoners. When the fighting started, the Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, came out to have a full view of the situation. He pointed out to the Muslims that Banu Haashim did not join the enemy force out of their own will and desire, it was due only to compulsion and so they deserved special concessions. So Al-'Abbaas ibn 'Abdul-Muttalib, may Allah be pleased with him, must not be killed. Abu Huthayfah said, "How can it be that I kill my brother and leave Al-'Abbaas ibn Abdul Muttalib, I will not let him go if Al-'Abbaas fights with me." Later on Hudhaifah was deeply repentant for his words and expressed great regret.
When the battle was in full swing, the Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, picked a handful of dust and threw it towards the disbelievers after reciting something over it. It resulted in the enemy fighters fleeing for their lives. Mu'aath ibn 'Amr, may Allah be pleased with him, a young man from Al-Ansaar, came across Abu Jahl who was armor clad. Mu'aath ibn 'Amr struck at his uncovered leg with his sword so forcefully that it was cut off from the shin. When 'Ikrimah ibn Abu Jahl found his father fatally injured, he fell upon Mu'aath ibn 'Amr and struck him with his sword so violently that his left arm was nearly separated from the shoulder but he kept fighting the whole day with the hanging arm. When it gave him more trouble, he put the hanging part under his foot and pulled apart by a violent force. At the same moment Mu'awwidh ibn Afra', another young man from the Ansaar drew near Abu Jahl and put him to the sword.
When the disbelievers fled the battlefield and the believers were victorious in this historic event, Allah's Messenger, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, asked for a search of the dead body of Abu Jahl. 'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood, may Allah be pleased with him, searched through the dead bodies and found Abu Jahl lying half-dead. 'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood got on his chest and said, 'Behold, O enemy of Allah, what a disgrace you have been put to by Allah." Abu Jahl said, "What's the outcome of battle?" 'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood, may Allah be pleased with him replied, "It ended in victory for the believers and defeat for the disbelievers." 'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood chopped his head off and laid it down at the feet of the Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam. Having noticed it, Allah's Messenger thanked Allah. This battle martyred fourteen believers, six from the Muhaajireen and eight from the Ansaar. The battle being over, Allah's Messenger, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, buried the believers and ordered that the dead among the infidels should be thrown into a pit or well and let them be covered with dust.
The disbelievers were so frightened when they fled the field that they even lost track of their Commander, Abu Jahl and left him behind fatally injured and dying. The soul-shattering news of the disbelievers' ignominious defeat in the battlefield of Badr left the Makkans struck with grief.
The Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, entrusted the booty to 'Abdullaah ibn Ka'b, may Allah be pleased with him, who belonged to Banu An-Najjaar, and sent 'Abdullaah ibn Rawaahah and Zayd ibn Haarithah, may Allah be pleased with him, with the glad tidings of victory to the upper and lower settlements of Al-Madeenah. Usamah ibn Zayd who was left in Al-Madeenah as the deputy of the Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, remarked, "The glad tidings of the victory were received by us at a time when we were burying Ruqayyah , the daughter of the Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, and the wife of 'Uthman ibn Affaan. The news of victory had arrived in Al-Madeenah on 18 Ramadan."
Being free from his engagement in the battlefield of Badr, the Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, proceeded to Al-Madeenah. On reaching Safra', he with the Command of Allah the Almighty, distributed the booty equally among the Muslims, and ordered Nadr ibn Al-Harith ibn Kildah (from Banu Abdud-Daar) to be beheaded. Similarly, arriving at Irq-uz-Zabyah, he, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, issued the same order for 'Uqbah ibn Abu Mu'ayt . These two among the prisoners of the battle of Badr were hard-core and ruthless enemies of the Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, and Islam and equal to Abu Jahl in enmity. Thereafter the Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, along with his Companions, speedily left for Al-Madeenah leaving the prisoners and their guards behind who joined them in Al-Madeenah the next day.
General Treatment of the Prisoners:
When the captives reached Al-Madeenah, the Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, said distributing them among the Companions, "Treat them generously." Among them was Abu 'Azeez ibn 'Umayr who was the standard-bearer of the disbelievers' army and also the full brother of Mus'ab ibn 'Umayr, may Allah be pleased with him. Abu 'Azeez relates, "When I was being brought to Al-Madeenah, I was in the custody of a group of the Ansaar''. Whenever they sat down to dine, they gave bread to me and they began to eat dates. Being ashamed, I tried to return it but whenever I gave the bread to any of them, he gave it back to me." On reaching Al-Madeenah, Abu 'Azeez was lodged with Abu Yusr Al-Ansaari. Mus'ab ibn 'Umayr said to Abu Yusr, "Treat him roughly, for his mother is a wealthy woman." Abu 'Azeez said, "Brother, is it for you to give this counsel?" "You are not my brother," replied 'Umayr, "instead he is my brother who is tying up your hands." The mother of Abu 'Azeez sent four thousand dirhams for his release.
The defeat suffered by the polytheists plunged Makkah into gloom. There was not a house in the city, which did not go into mourning. The Makkans stood aghast and agitated. However, the suppressed Muslims of Makkah breathed a sigh of relief and felt elated. Abu Lahab, who could not join the army at Badr, was so terribly shocked that he died after a week.
The Issue of the Captives:
Concerning the captives, Allah's Messenger, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, sought the advice of the Companions. 'Umar ibn Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, submitted, "In my opinion everyone of us should kill his own relatives to establish beyond doubt that, in Islam, love of faith is far greater than love for relations." Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, said, "Let all the captives be released in return for reasonable ransoms so that the amount be invested in developing weaponry. Besides, some of them may embrace Islam in future." The Prophet, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, liked the proposal of Abu Bakr. Some of the prisoners were released without ransom. The Makkans sent from one thousand to four thousand dirhams to pay for the release of their relatives. The captives who knew reading and writing but were unable to pay ransom were allowed freedom after teaching ten children to read and write.
Zaynab, may Allah be pleased with her, the daughter of the Prophet, sent her necklace as a ransom for the release of Abul-'Aas, her husband, who was also among the captives. Allah's Messenger, sallalahu alayhi wa sallam, noticed the necklace and said to his Companions, "If you think it fit, send the necklace back to Zaynab, for it was a gift from her mother Khadeejah." The Companions were pleased to accept it and released Abul-'As at once. Abul-'Aas then hurried back to Makkah and sent Zainab to Al-Madeenah at once. He accepted Islam three or four years after this event.
The battle of Badr was the most important among the Islamic battles of Destiny. For the first time the followers of the new faith were put into a serious test. Had victory been the lot of the pagan army while the Islamic Forces were still at the beginning of their developments, the faith of Islam could have come to an end.
