Outline
- Introduction
- The Objectives of the Battle of Badr
- Location of Badr
- The Time of the Battle of Badr
- The Prophet and His Companions Go Out for the Caravan
- Abu Sufyān Changes the Direction of the Caravan
- Quraysh Comes All Out to Rescue Its Wealth and Dignity
- Change of Plan for the Prophet and His Companions
- The Prophet’s Leadership Style in the Battle of Badr
- The Occurrence of the Battle of Badr
- The Events of the Battle of Badr
- The Martyrs of the Battle of Badr
- The Virtues of Participants of the Battle of Badr
- Conclusion
Introduction
Alhamdulillah… Infinite praise and thanks are due to Allah the Almighty. Complete peace and blessings are upon the Commander-in-chief on the Day of the Battle of Badr, Sayyidunā Muhammad, his household, his companions, and all those who follow his guided path.
If you’re following The Shining Stars Series, that is brought to you by GSalam.Net and Al-Bushra by GSalam, then you’ve been very likely frequently hearing the mention of the Battle of Badr.
In fact, one can’t read about The Prophet Muhammad ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam, nor about his companions raḍiya Allāhu ’anhum without going through their participation in or their absence from participation in the Battle of Badr.
This indicates the significance of this battle in the history of Islam. This article is an introduction to the Battle of Badr. It serves as a reference for any Muslim or knowledge seeker who wants to know about the Battle of Badr in a simple English write-up.
The Objectives of the Battle of Badr
The initial objective of the Battle of Badr was to stop a caravan of Quraysh coming from the Levant (Syria), led by Abū Sufyān ibn Ḥarb. The caravan consisted of 40 men, carrying a significant amount of commodity. It was believed that a significant portion of the value of the caravan was funded using the money of the Muslims of Makkah after they were chased out of it.
That was the initial objective. However later on, Quraysh came out to challenge the Prophet and the Muslims, after Abū Sufyān smartly escaped with the caravan from Muhammad and his men.
Then, another objective emerged. That was to fight to protect the name of Islam, raise the word of Allah, and lower the word of infidelity.
Location of Badr
Badr is located between Makkah and Madīnah, on the main route that Quraysh used in their journey to and from Syria for trading.
The distance between Badr and Madinah is approximately 156 km (and requires about 2 hours of modern-day travelling time) whereby it’s 320 km to Makkah (and requires more than three hours of modern-day travelling time).
The fact that it was the only route Quraysh could use to travel to Syria for trading explains why it became the battlefield.
The Time of the Battle of Badr
The Battle of Badr occurred on a Friday, 17 Ramadan, two years and a few months after the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam and his companions raḍiya Allāhu ’anhum migrated to Madinah.
The Prophet and His Companions Go Out for the Caravan
After the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam heard about the caravan passing by, he gathered 313 of his companions for the outing.
He first took the direction to Makkah. And when they approached the vicinity of Badr, they turned right, towards the water wells of Badr.
At this point, the Prophet engaged his intelligence agents. He despatched two men; Basbas (or Basīsah) ibn ‘Amr al-Juhanī and ‘Adiyy ibn Abī al-Zaghbā’ to gather information about Abū Sufyān and the caravan.
Abu Sufyān Changes the Direction of the Caravan
Fortunately or unfortunately, Abū Sufyān (who was then non-Muslim) got to know about Muhammad’s movement and his intention towards the caravan.
Abū Sufyān quickly sent a message to Makkah to inform Quraysh about the movement of Muhammad and his companions from Madīnah. He sent Ḍamḍam ibn ‘Amr for this task. Quraysh needed to save their caravan, lest Muhammad will capture it.
While waiting for Quraysh to send a rescue team, Abū Sufyān managed to escape with the caravan before the Prophet and his followers reached them.
To do that, he first travelled ahead of the caravan for a while. That was when they became close to Badr. On the way, he met a man from whom he learnt about two riders who rode passed the vicinity of Badr earlier on. Abu Sufyān knew that Muhammad and his men were close to Badr. So, he returned to the caravan and changed its direction.
Quraysh Comes All Out to Rescue Its Wealth and Dignity
In the first place, as at this point of time, Quraysh has underestimated the strength of Muhammad and his men. However, they gathered the biggest number of men they could, to finish Muhammad and his men, and for that matter to finish Islam.
It is then not surprising to know that Quraysh came out in more than 1000 men. 600 of whom where armed with shields. They also had 700 camels and 100 horses. In addition to that, they brought along belly dancers to keep them entertained.
This army was led by Abū Jahl and Al-Walīd ibn al-Mughīrah. The only one among the nobles of Quraysh who didn’t join was Abū Lahab. Even with that, he sent a man who was indebted to him, to represent him. Abū Lahab didn’t participate in Badr because he had the feeling that he would be killed. Even with that, he died six days after the battle of Badr. Read his story here.
However, not long after they left Makkah, Abū Sufyān sent them another message, notifying them that he had successfully escaped Muhammad and his men. But Abū Jahl insisted they must continue to Badr, and that they must discipline Muhammad and save their dignity.
Change of Plan for the Prophet and His Companions
Now that Abū Sufyān has escaped with the caravan, the mission was not successful for the Prophet and his companions. They could have returned to Madīnah and everything would be fine.
However, Quraysh insisted to proceed to Badr and camp there for three days, to:
- scare Muhammad
- send a message of power and strength to all Arabs
- have fun
- and be entertained by belly dancers.
When that became the case, the Prophet had to change his plans too. This is because there were a few possibilities:
- Muhammad and his followers could be seen weak
- They could be taken for granted
- Quraysh could continue from Badr to Madīnah, to invade Muhammad and the entire Madīnah.
Thus, the Prophet gathered his companions (the 313 men) and told them of the change of plan. He informed them, that the reason for what he brought them out of Madīnah no longer existed. However, a new danger had emerged. The new danger is even riskier than the previous reason. He then gave them the choice to either stay with him or return. As for him, he was going to fight Quraysh.
Not a single person chose to return. And thus, that was when the decision to fight in the Battle of Badr took shape.
The Prophet’s Leadership Style in the Battle of Badr
The Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam was already given the glad tiding of the positive outcome of the battle. However, he deployed human ability and effort in commanding and managing the battle.
He constantly consulted his men in critical decisions. At one point, when they were camping, Hubāb suggested to him to move the Muslim army ahead, in a way to put the clean source of water behind them, so that Quraysh won’t be able to access that water without fighting. That way, Quraysh would fight for water, and the Muslims would fight for the Message of Islam.
He also ensured they knew the consequences of their decision to fight with him against Quraysh. Thus, none was driven out of Madīnah against his will.
As much as he consulted his companions and had mentally prepared them for the situation, he also turned to Allah in supplications. Constantly with desperate cries. He supplicated until his cloak fell off him. To the extent that Sayyidunā Abū Bakr consoled him to calm down.
The Occurrence of the Battle of Badr
You know that, initially, there was no intention to fight in Badr, as far as the Muslims were concerned. Their only aim was to capture the caravan of Quraysh.
When that plan went unsuccessful, they failed to capture them. But Abū Jahl’s head grew bigger, so he insisted that they proceeded to fight Muhammad and his followers.
Also, after deciding to fight the Muslims, Quraysh wanted to use this to teach the Muslims a lesson they would never forget. However, on the other hand, Allah wanted to use this as the dividing line that marks the line between the truth and falsehood. Thus, it was called “A Decisive Day” (Yawm al-Furqān or the Day of al-Furqān).
The Muslims had only two horses and 70 camels to ferry the Prophet and his men. The 313 or so men would ride the two horses and the 70 camels in turns.
The Battle of Badr happened in Ramadan. At a time, when the Muslims were in a financially difficult status. This is why the entire Muslim army had to ride two horses in turns.
Furthermore, it was their first encounter. They never experienced a battle as Muslims. Thus, they reached Badr extremely fatigued. Here, divine intervention was lent to them. And two miracles happened to them. Allah made them feel drowsy, and also poured rains on them, to cleanse them and re-energise them for the clash.
إِذْ يُغَشِّيكُمُ ٱلنُّعَاسَ أَمَنَةً مِّنْهُ وَيُنَزِّلُ عَلَيْكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً لِّيُطَهِّرَكُم بِهِۦ وَيُذْهِبَ عَنكُمْ رِجْزَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنِ وَلِيَرْبِطَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتَ بِهِ ٱلْأَقْدَامَ.ـ
“He brought drowsiness upon you to give you His reassurance and sent down water from the sky upon you, so that He might thereby purify you and remove Satan’s pollution from you, and make your hearts strong and your feet firm.” (al-Anfāl, 8:11).
As the Prophet desperately invoked Allah, he was given the good news that Allah is sending down 1000 troopers of Angels to protect the back of the Muslim camp.
إِذْ تَسْتَغِيثُونَ رَبَّكُمْ فَٱسْتَجَابَ لَكُمْ أَنِّى مُمِدُّكُم بِأَلْفٍ مِّنَ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ مُرْدِفِينَ * وَمَا جَعَلَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بُشْرَىٰ وَلِتَطْمَئِنَّ بِهِۦ قُلُوبُكُمْ ۚ وَمَا ٱلنَّصْرُ إِلَّا مِنْ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ.ـ
“When you prayed to your Lord for help, He answered, “I am sending to your aid a thousand angels in succession. God only did this to give you good news, and so that your hearts might be set at rest, for help comes from God alone. Surely, God is Mighty and Wise.” (al-Anfāl, 8:9-10).
While they were promised with a divine intervention, which had actually happened, they were also encouraged to focus their hearts on Allah and alone. That way, they purify their intention for the battle, and die for a noble cause. Not just to take back some worldly gains taken from them by Quraysh.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا لَقِيتُمْ فِئَةً فَٱثْبُتُوا۟ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ.ـ
“Believers! When you encounter a party, remain firm and remember God much, so that you may succeed.” (al-Anfāl, 8:45).
The Events of the Battle of Badr
After tactics and onsite preparations, the battle of took place. And the following events made up the Battle of Badr.
Angels Came Down During the Battle of Badr
While the battle was ongoing, Allah sent down Angels to support the Muslims. With the presence of the divine intervention (Angles) both fighting parties started feel dizzy, in the middle of the battle.
Some Martyred in the Muslim Camp During the Battle of Badr
The Muslim camp lost 14 fighters. Six from among the Muhājirīn and eight from among the Anṣār. And the camp of Quraysh lost 70 of their men, a significant number of whom were leaders in Quraysh.
Victory for Islam and Muslims in the Battle of Badr
The battle of Badr ended with victory for Islam and Muslims, and loss for Quraysh and its allies. The Qur’an registers this victory when it says:
وَلَقَدْ نَصَرَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِبَدْرٍ وَأَنتُمْ أَذِلَّةٌ ۖ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ.ـ
“Allah had already helped you at Badr, when you were weak. Fear Allah, so that you may be grateful.” (Āl-‘Imrān, 3:123).
Spoils for the Muslims from the Battle of Badr
The Prophet and his companions stayed in Badr for three days after the battled ended. This allowed his companions to have enough rest before moving back to Madinah. It also allowed them to bury their martyrs. Moreover, they had enough time to gather the spoils gained from Quraysh.
They gathered bountiful of spoils. Because there was no command from Allah yet on what to do with spoils, they didn’t know what to do with them. When some start questioning Allah descended clear verses telling them what to do and how.
On what, He says:
يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْأَنفَالِ ۖ قُلِ ٱلْأَنفَالُ لِلَّهِ وَٱلرَّسُولِ ۖ فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَصْلِحُوا۟ ذَاتَ بَيْنِكُمْ ۖ وَأَطِيعُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥٓ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ.ـ
“They ask you about the spoils of war. Say, “They belong to God and His Messenger. So fear God, and set things right among yourselves, and obey God and His Messenger, if you are true believers…” (al-Anfāl, 8:1).
On how, He says:
وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا غَنِمْتُم مِّن شَىْءٍ فَأَنَّ لِلَّهِ خُمُسَهُۥ وَلِلرَّسُولِ وَلِذِى ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ وَٱلْيَتَٰمَىٰ وَٱلْمَسَٰكِينِ وَٱبْنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ إِن كُنتُمْ ءَامَنتُم بِٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا يَوْمَ ٱلْفُرْقَانِ يَوْمَ ٱلْتَقَى ٱلْجَمْعَانِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ.ـ
“Know that one-fifth of your battle gains belongs to God and the Messenger, to his close relatives and orphans, to the needy and travellers, if you believe in God and the revelation We sent down to Our servant on the Decisive Day, the day when the two forces met. God has power over all things.” (al-Anfāl, 8:41).
Captives of the Battle of Badr
The Muslim camp captured 70 from Quraysh fighters. Two among them (al-Naḍr ibn al-Ḥārith and ‘Uqbah ibn Abī Ma’īṭ) were executed for their grave evil against Islam and Muslims in Makkah.
After arriving in Madīnah the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam consulted his companions on what to do with the captives. Sayyidunā Abū Bakr raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu opined that ransom collected on each of them, while Sayyidunā ‘Umar raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhu opined that they were all executed for harming Islam and Muslims. The Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ’alayhi wa sallam applied Sayyidunā Abū Bakr’s suggestion. But later on, the Qur’an supported Sayyidunā ‘Umar’s idea.
Since the opinion of ransom was adopted, every captive was to pay 4000 Dirham. If a captive couldn’t afford that, he was assigned to teach reading and writing to Muslim children. However, some captives were freed without ransom.
The Martyrs of the Battle of Badr
Following are the martyrs of the Battle of Badr, six of whom were from the Muhājirīn and eight from the Anṣār:
From the Muhājirīn
- ‘Ubaydah ibn al-Ḥārith ibn al-Muṭṭalib ibn ‘Abd Manāf
- ‘Umayr ibn Abī Waqqāṣ
- Dhū al-Shamālayn ibn ‘Abd ‘Amr al-Khuzā’ī
- ‘Āqil ibn al-Bakīr al-Laythī
- Muhja’ (he was an ally of ‘Umar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb)
- Al-Ḥārith ibn Ṣafwān al-Fihrī
From the Anṣār
- Sa’d ibn Khaythamah
- Mubashshir ibn ‘Abd al-Mundhir
- Yazīd ibn al-Ḥārith
- ‘Umayr ibn al-Hammām
- Rāfi’ ibn al-Ma’lamī
- Ḥarithah ibn Surāqah
- ‘Awf ibn al-Ḥārith (ibn ‘Afrā’)
- Mu’awwadh ibn al-Ḥārith (ibn ‘Afrā’)
The Virtues of Participants of the Battle of Badr
There are numerous virtues for the participants of the Battle of Badr.. This is a highlight of three of them.
The Sins of the Participants of the Battle of Badr are Forgiven.
Yes, the sins of the participants of the Battle of Badr are forgiven. Including the future ones. Meaning the ones they might have committed after the Battle of Badr in their lives. In a ḥadīth reported by Imām al-Bukhārī (3983) from the narration of Sayyidunā ‘Ali raḍiya Allāhu ’anhu (in a long ḥadīth, at the end of which) the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam said:
لَعَلَّ اللَّهَ اطَّلَعَ إِلَى أَهْلِ بَدْرٍ فَقَالَ اعْمَلُوا مَا شِئْتُمْ فَقَدْ وَجَبَتْ لَكُمُ الْجَنَّةُ، أَوْ فَقَدْ غَفَرْتُ لَكُمْ
“May be Allah looked at the participants of Badr and said, ‘Do whatever you like, as I have granted Paradise to you, or said, ‘I have forgiven you.”’
The Participants of the Battle of Badr are the Best Among Muslims
Yes, the participants of the Battle of Badr are the best among the Muslim Ummah, and so are the Angels who gave them a backup, as indicated above.
This is understood from the ḥadīth reported by Imām al-Bukhāri (3992) from the narration of Rifā’ah ibn Rāfi’, who narrated from his father who participated in the Battle of Badr. He said:
جَاءَ جِبْرِيلُ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ “ مَا تَعُدُّونَ أَهْلَ بَدْرٍ فِيكُمْ؟ قَالَ مِنْ أَفْضَلِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ ـ أَوْ كَلِمَةً نَحْوَهَا ـ قَالَ وَكَذَلِكَ مَنْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا مِنَ الْمَلاَئِكَةِ ”
“Jibrīl came to the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa salam and said, “How do you look upon the participants of Badr among you?” The Prophet said, “As the best of the Muslims.” or said a similar statement. On that, Jibrīl said, “And so are the Angels who participated in the [battle of] Badr.”
The Participants of the Battle of Badr will Not Enter Hell
In a ḥadīth reported Imām al-Tirmidhī (3864) from the narration of Sayyidunā Jābir ibn ‘Abdillāh raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhumā. He said:
أَنَّ عَبْدًا، لِحَاطِبِ بْنِ أَبِي بَلْتَعَةَ جَاءَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَشْكُو حَاطِبًا فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَيَدْخُلَنَّ حَاطِبٌ النَّارَ . فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ كَذَبْتَ لاَ يَدْخُلُهَا فَإِنَّهُ قَدْ شَهِدَ بَدْرًا وَالْحُدَيْبِيَةَ.”
“A slave of Ḥāṭib [ibn Abī Balt‘ah] came to the Messenger of Allah complaining about Ḥāṭib. So he said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Ḥāṭib is going to enter the Hell!’ So the Messenger of Allah said: ‘You have lied! No one who participated in (the battle of) Badr and (the treaty of) Al-Hudaybiyah shall enter it.’”
Conclusion
The Battle of Badr is full of lessons, which are not highlighted in this article. Please keep a look on for another article that highlights lessons from the battle of Badr, insha Allah.
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Allahu Hafiz 🙂
What about Hudhaifa’s father, he belonged where, from the Ansr or from the Mihajiruna?
I think he died in the battle of Uhud?