Battle of Badr

After the Migration of Muslims to Madinah, the annoyed Quraish confiscated their business, possessions
and properties. They threw their fortunes out in the market to sell. The leader of hypocrites Abdullah
bin Ubayy, who visited Makkah told the Muslims and provoked them to fight. The disappointed Muslims
wanted to avenge their losses but were not given permit as Allah’s orders were of peace. Thereafter the
verse of Surah hajj was revealed “…Permit is given (to fight) …” Madinah laid across the caravan trade
route from Syria to Makkah so the muslims began to raid and threaten the caravans of Quraish thus
attempting to damage their economy. In 2AH Abu sufyan was leading the largest caravan of Quraish
from Syria to Makkah. Intercepting that caravan could strike a deadly blow to the Quraish. The holy
prophet (SAW) had posted two men to keep watch on the caravan trade route. They camped at badr
with 313 men 2 horses and 70 camels. Some hypocrites told Abu sufyan about this. He then took an
alternate route from the west red sea this way he was able to slip past the muslims and was out of their
reach. On utmost alert, Abu Sufyan sent damdam bin amr to make a plea for help in Makkah. Damdam
raised a dramatic cry at the Kabah and shook Makkah to help Abu Sufyan. 1300 soldiers several large
number of camels under the leadership of Abu Jahl immediately took a course to reach the caravan.
When the army was half way through, the message reached them that the caravan had reached Makkah
safely. The armys leaders held a meeting and debated whether they should continue or go back. Utba
bin Rabia opposed a war as that meant the spilling of the blood of their own relatives whereas Abu jahl
hotly advocated for a march on Madinah. Despite the threats of Abu jahl Zehra broke away, Banu
hashim to wanted to break away but the threats of Abu Jahl made them abandon the idea. Eventually
1000 soldiers of Quriash marched towards badr and camped there.

Prophet (PBUH) consulted his companions highlighting the gravity of the situation. The muhajirun and
Ansar ensured their loyalty to the Prophet and agreed to wage war against Quraish. The same night it
rained on both sides, for the polytheists it was hindrance from further progression and for Muslims a
blessing of Allah sent to strengthen their hearts. Muslims encamped at the nearest water wells and
destroyed the wells of their enemies to keep them deprived of water. The muslim armory was very
weak compared to the strong armory of the Quraish. Very few Muslims had swords and some even
fought with camel bones. The prophet prayed for divine help all night. The next day both the armies
stood against each other and the war started with the war of words, Quaraishite poets stepped forward
and insulted the Muslim warriors. The Muslims replied with loud shouts of AllahuAkhbar. Al Aswad a
disbeliever got engaged with Hazrat Hamza (RA) and was killed by him. After that three Quraishites
came forward for single combat. Utba bin Rabia, Walid and Shiaba . Three Muslims also stepped forward
to meet the challenge, Hazrat Hamza, Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Ubaidah. Hazrat Hamza killed Utba and
Hazrat Ali killed Walid, Hazrat Ubaidah was injured so the other two warriors helped kill Shaibah. Due to
Ubaidah (RA)s severe leg injury, he was martyred and was the first martyr in armed Jihad. This duel was
followed by few other duels and the Makkans suffered terrible defeat. There then started open fighting,
the Quraish marched towards the Muslims with closed ranks and the Muslims threw stones and arrows
at them. Mohammad (PBUH) employed a superior war tactic and kept the enemies face towards the
sun, When the Quraish faced the sun the army of Muslims seemed much larger than it was. Prophet
(SAW) continuously prayed for the success of the believers, he said “ O Allah! If this group of Muslims
gets defeated today, there will be no one to worship you” Shortly after, a harsh and dusty storm started
blowing and this further magnified the amry of the Muslims in the eyes of the Makkans. This was the
divine help from Allah to the Muslims in the form of a thousand angels, this is stated in surah Anfal. At
the instance of angel jibrail the holy Prophet (SAW) took a handful of dust and threw at the faces of the
enemies and said “Confusion seize their faces”, Allah says in Surah anfal that it was not Muhammad who
threw it was Allah who threw. The Quraish began to retreat but several of their important leaders were
killed. Abu Jahl was killed by two young boys, Muawiz and Muaz and his head was cut off by Abdullah
bin Masood. Hazrat Bilal also killed his former slave Ummayah bin Khalf in this battle.

The Quraish great losses in men and prestige both. 70 men of the Quraish were killed 70 were taken as
prisoner and Muslims got a war booty of 114 camels several carpets and cloth. The leadership was given
to Abu Sufyan after the battle. The prisoners were treated leniently by the Prophet (saw), those who
could afford to pay ransom were sef free after the payment those who were too poor to pay ransom
were set free without payment and those who knew how to read and write were asked to teach the
muslims boys and girls for a specified time and then set free. The Holy Prophet (SAW) ordered for these
prisoners to be treated kindly and be given food equally.