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SEERAH - THE LIFE HISTORY OF THE HOLY PROPHET MUHAMMAD (S.A.W)

PART 5

36. THE BATTLE OF BADR (17 RAMADAAN 2 A.H.)

36.1 MEANING OF "JIHAD"


While the Muslims were in Makkatul Mukarramah, Almighty Allah had not permitted the Muslims to fight. But, in Madinatul Munawwarah the situation was different. Almighty Allah knew of the plans of the Kuffar. Almighty Allah sent Wahi to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) that the Muslims were to fight the enemy.

This fighting is one kind of "Jihad." Jihad is the use of all our energies and resources to establish the Islamic system of life, in order to gain Almighty Allah's favour. "Jihad" is an Arabic word which means "to try one's utmost." We make Jihad by also controlling our bad desires and intentions. This is the Jihad within ourselves. In making Jihad we must try and establish what is "Ma'ruf" (right) and remove "Munkar" (evil) from our lives and in the place where we live. A Muslim must make Jihad all the time. The aim of Jihad is to seek the pleasure of Almighty Allah.

36.2 CAUSES THAT LED TO THE BATTLE OF BADR

Some of the main causes that led to the Battle of Badr were:
A. The Meccan Kuffar felt threatened that Islam was becoming powerful in Madinatul Munawwarah.
B. They felt that their trade routes will be lost if Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) succeeded in winning over the other tribes in Arabia.
C. The spread of Islam was going to disrupt their businesses which centred around idol worship.
D. They wanted revenge for the killing of Amr bin Hadrami by a Muslim.

36.3 THE TWO ARMIES MEET AT BADR

Badr is a town between Makkatul Mukarramah and Madinatul Munawwarah.

The Meccan army had already reached Badr waiting to confront the Muslims. They mustered together an army of 1 000 men, which consisted of 700 riders on camels and 300 horsemen. They were fully armed with the best weaponry - shields, armour, arrows and swords. The Meccan Kuffar were confident of wiping out the Muslims.

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu allah wasallam) received news of the Meccan army marching towards Badr. He assembled a small army of 313 Sahaba, 70 camels and 2 horses. Very few Sahaba had proper armour and weaponry. Some carried their swords. Many Sahaba marched bare-footed with hardly any clothing on their backs.

The Muslims marched towards Badr. When they reached Badr, on the suggestion of Sayyiduna Saad bin Muaaz (radi Allahu anhu), the Sahaba quickly constructed a thatched roof for Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radi Allahu anhu) was his attendant.

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) together with some of his Sahaba set out to inspect the battlefield. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was holding a stick in his hand. As he walked on the field, he marked the spot with the stick as to where the Kuffar will be killed. After the battle, the Sahaba found the Kuffar killed on that exact spot as Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) marked!

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) spent that night praying to Almighty Allah. The Muslim army slept peacefully.

36.4 GLAD TIDINGS FOR THE MUSLIMS

The Battle of Badr took place on the 17th of Ramadaan on a Friday morning.

Both armies now confronted each other. The Sahaba were given instructions not to attack first. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "None of you should show the sword without my permission, nor should anyone go into an attack. If the enemy attacks you from a short distance, defend yourselves with stones. In case they attack you from a long distance with arrows, then you should defend yourselves in the same manner. Let there be no arrogance in your words, nor even any hue and cry. Remember Allah in every breath, and His Name should always be on your tongue, so that anyone who becomes Shaheed will be blessed with Jannah."

Seeing the huge army that the Muslims were going to confront, Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) faced towards Makkatul Mukarramah and prayed: "O Allah! Should this small band of Muslims perish, there would be none to worship You."

Almighty Allah answered his prayers. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) gave the good news to the Sahaba. He said: "Every one of you that fights today and is Shaheed while busy in Jihad, watching and facing the enemy and not turning his back, will most certainly have Jannah for reward."

The Sahaba were overjoyed by this news. They saw Jannah in their eyes. The huge army of Kuffar meant nothing to them. They were prepared to face anyone and give their lives for Islam.

36.5 THE BATTLE OF BADR

A Meccan, Al Aswad, rushed forward to destroy the water supply of the Muslim army. He was killed by Sayyiduna Hamza (radi Allahu anhu).

The battle first began with single combat. Utba, Shaiba and Waleed - 3 Meccan Kuffar - advanced to face the Muslims. The Muslims responded courageously. Sayyiduna Hamza (radi Allahu anhu) killed Utba, Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) killed Waleed and Sayyiduna Ubaidah (radi Allahu anhu) killed Shaibah. The Meccans were shocked at the death of their three soldiers.

The Meccan Kuffar now rushed forward. They started attacking from all front. When Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) saw this, he appeared in the field with a handful of pebbles. He shouted the slogan of "Shaha-til-Wujuh" (9 faces are turned) and threw the pebbles on the enemies. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) prayed for Almighty Allah's Help. Almighty Allah sent His Malaa'ikah to help Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and His Sahaba. The Malaa'ikah were under the command of Sayyiduna Jibra'el, Sayyiduna Mika'el and Sayyiduna Israfeel (alaimus salaam). They were dressed in white and wore white turbans. They rode spotty horses.

The Sahaba fought bravely. They fought to have the honour to give their life in the Path of Almighty Allah. Two Ansaar boys, Sayyiduna Mo'az and Sayyiduna Mo'awwaz (radi Allahu anhuma) killed Abu Jahl, the enemy of Islam. They saw Abu Jahl riding his camel on the battlefield. They ran up to him and confronted him. One of the boys cut off Abu Jahl's feet while the other attacked him and threw him off his horse. When Akrama saw Abu Jahl, his father, in this situation he ran towards him and attacked Sayyiduna Mo'az (radi Allahu anhu) from behind. As a result his arm was cut. Both the brothers now faced the Kuffar. Sayyiduna Mo'az (radi Allahu anhu) said: "I was feeling quite inconvenient due to the hanging arm, therefore, I put my arm under my leg and removed it. I kept on fighting with one arm until we went to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and told him the god news. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) gave the slogan twice, 'There is no deity except Allah.'" Sayyiduna Mo'az (radi Allahu anhu) was eventually made Shaheed. Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Masud (radi Allahu anhu) struck off Abu Jahl's head and brought it to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). He said: "O! My master, this is the head of the enemy of Allah the Almighty and His Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)."

Sayyiduna Bilal (radi Allahu anhu) killed his old master, Ummayyah, and his son.

36.6 RESULTS OF THE BATTLE

Soon, the battle was over. The Meccans fled the battlefield leaving behind their wounded and dead. Eleven of their 14 leaders were killed. Altogether, they lost 70 men and 70 men were taken prisoners.

The Meccan Kuffar were so humiliated and shocked by the defeat that Abu Lahab, the enemy of Islam, fell sick with fever and died 7 days later.

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) and his Sahaba thanked Almighty Allah for their victory. They knew that they had been victorious only because of Almighty Allah's Help. Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran: "Allah had helped you at Badr when you were an insignificant little force; then fear Allah; thus may you show your gratitude." (Surah Imraan: 124)

Fourteen Sahaba were Shaheed in the Battle of Badr. Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran: "And say not those who are killed in the Path of Allah as dead; but they are alive, yes, you are aware." (Surah Baqara: 154)

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) stayed in the battlefield for 3 days after achieving victory. First, the funerals of the Shuhada were performed. Later, he ordered that the bodies of the Kuffar be buried. A trench was dug and the 70 dead Kuffar were thrown into the trench. Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) stood at the grave and called the names of Utbah, Abu Jahl and other chiefs of the Quraish: "O! The pitters you have found are what Allah has promised you, although I had found what Allah has promised me." When the Sahaba saw Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) talking to the dead, they were astonished. Sayyiduna Umar (radi Allahu anhu) came forward and said: "O Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), are you talking to the dead?" Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "They are also hearing me as much as you can, but only they cannot reply."

The prisoners were taken to Madinatul Munawwarah. They were well-cared for. There were given food to eat and the Sahaba provided them with clothes. Some were set free on ransom. Those who could read and write had to teach 10 Muslims and earn their freedom.

36.7 EFFECTS OF THE BATTLE

The victory at Badr made the Muslims more confident and gave them hope in Islam. The victory strengthened the position of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) in the eyes of the enemy.

The victory dealt a severe blow to the prestige of the Quraish.

There was chaos and confusion in the city of Makkatul Mukarramah. The Kuffar were in a state of mourning and promised to take revenge. The Jews and the Kuffar were alarmed at the new power that had emerged - Islam.

37. OTHER EVENTS (2 A.H. - 3 A.H.)

37.1 The 2 Eid Salaahs were introduced by Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Muslims also had to pay Sadqa-e-Fitr at the completion of Fasting.

37.2 Sayyadah Umme Kulthum (radi Allahu anha), the daughter of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) was married to Sayyiduna 'Uthman Ghani (radi Allahu anhu). His first wife, Sayyadah Ruqayya (radi Allahu anha), also one of the daughters of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), had passed away.

37.3 Sayyiduna Ali (radi Allahu anhu) married Sayyadah Bibi Fathima (radi Allahu anha), the youngest daughter of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).

37.4 Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) married Sayyadah Hafsa (radi Allahu anha), the daughter of Sayyiduna Umar (radi Allahu anhu).

37.5 EXPEDITION OF SAWIQ

The Meccans did not rest after the Battle of Badr. Abu Sufyaan and 200 of his men burnt a plantation of dates outside Madinatul Munawwarah. They also killed 2 Sahaba. While escaping, they dropped behind bags of pounded dry oats called "Sawiq." This incident was known as the "Expedition of Sawiq."

37.6 THE MUNAFIQS INCREASE

Many Jews and Christians accepted Islam with the intention of weakening Islam from within. They were trouble-makers. They began saying bad things about Islam and started quarrels amongst the Muslims. They were called "Munafiqs" or "Hypocrites."

37.7 JEWS OF THE BANU QUAINUQA ARE EXPELLED

An important event to note here is about the Jews of the Banu Quainuqa. The Jews of Banu Quainuqa were expelled from Madinatul Munawwarah by Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). How did this happen?

An Ansaari woman went to buy something from a Jewish shop. There, she was molested. At first, the Jews of this tribe challenged the Muslims to fight. They shut themselves in their fortress. Seeing that they could not win, they eventually gave up. Seven hundred Jews of the Banu Quainuqa were expelled from the city. They settled in Syria.

37.8 PLANS OF THE KUFFAR

Although the Meccan Kuffar were defeated at Badr, they began making preparations for another war against the Muslims.