Battle of Badr

The background
Although no fighting had been taken place as yet, Quraysh were already alert to the danger of having an enemy established in Yathrib. Following the Hijra, tensions between Mecca and Medina escalated and hostilities broke out in 623 when the Muslims began a series of raids on Quraishi caravans. Since Medina was located just off Mecca's main trade route, the Muslims were in an ideal position to do this. Even though many Muslims were form Quraysh themselves, they believed that they were entitled to such raids because the Meccans had expelled them from their property, homes and tribes a serious offense in hospitality-oriented Arabia. Also, there was a tradition in Arabia of poor tribes raiding richer tribes. It also provided a means for the Muslim community to carve out an independent economic position at Medina, where their political position was far from secure. The Meccans obviously took a different view, seeing the Muslim raids as banditry as well as a potential threat to their livelihood and prestige.

The battle
After receiving the notion that the caravan has set off from Syria, Mohammad (A.S.) sent two scouts to bring him news soon as the caravan arrived west of Medina. The Prophet had his reasons for wishing to remain in Medina as long as possible, for his beloved daughter Ruqayyah had fallen seriously ill. But personal considerations could not be taken into account, and rather than risk being too late he decided not event to wait for the return of his scouts. By the time they reached Medina he had already set out with an army of Emigrants and Helpers, 305 men altogether (according to some sources 313). There were 70 camels which the men rode by turns, three or four men to one camel, and three horses. However, someone in Medina had already sent a word of the Prophet's plans to Abu Sufyan who immediately hired a man called Damdam to go to Mecca and urge Quraysh to march at once to his rescue. When Damdam came to Mecca and shouted: Men of Quraysh, the transport camels, the transport camels! Your goods which are with Abu Sufyan! Muhammad and his companions are upon them! Help! Help!, it was not long that an army of about a 1000 men was gathered. Almsot every chief of clan led out a contingent except Abu Lahab, who instead sent a man who owned him money. The Prophet had by now left the direct route from Medina and was travelling for Badr where he hoped to ambush Abu Sufyan. Then came the news that Quraysh had set out with an army to rescue their caravan. Muhammad immediately called a council of war, since there was still time to retreat and because many of the fighters were recent converts ("Helpers"), who had only pledged to defend Medina. Under the terms of the Constitution of Medina, they would have been within their rights to refuse to fight and leave the army. The army did not averse from meeting the enemy. After hearing the eminent names of the Meccan soldiers, the Prophet remarked: Ona Mekka bacila je vama najbolje komade digerice svoje.(tj. najbolje ljude svoje). A humble army of 305 nonsoldiers was set to confront a thousand trained warriors. The Prophet knew that it was imperative for them to reach the waters of Badr before the enemy. Not long after rain began to fall which the Prophet has seen as a blessing and an assurance. It would bother the enemy, who had yet to climb the slopes. When they reached the well of Badr, it was decided that they will halt when they come unto one of the large wells closest to the enemy so that all the water is theirs to drink, and the enemies will have none. Utbah tried to turn back the army by saying: Men of Quraysh, ye will gain naught by fighting Muhammad and his companions. If ye lay them low, each man of you will for ever look with loathing on the face of another who hath slain his uncle or his cousin or some yet nearer kinsmen. Therefore turn back and leave Muhammad to the rest of the Arabs. But Abu Jahl, the man most likely to insist on war, taunted Utbah with cowardice and urged the Meccans to war. By contrast, while little is known about the progress of the Quraishi army from the time it left Mecca until its arrival just outside Badr, several things are worth noting: although many Arab armies brought their women and children along on campaigns both to motivate and care for the men, the Meccan army did not. Also, the Quraish apparently made little or no effort to contact the many tribes allies they had scattered throughout the Hijaz. It is believed since they knew they had outnumbered the Muslims by three to one, they expected an easy victory. When the Quraishi reached Juhfah, just south of Badr, they received a message from Abu Sufyan telling them the caravan was safely behind them, and that they could therefore return to Mecca. Abu Jahl wanted to continue, but several of the clans present, including Banu Zuhrah and Banu Adi, promptly went home. The Banu Hashim tribe wanted to leave, but was threatened by Abu Jahl to stay. Despite these losses, Abu Jahl was still determined to fight, boasting "We will not go back until we have been to Badr." During this period, Abu Sufyan and several other men from the caravan joined the main army.

The battle began with champions from both armies emerging to engage in combat. Three of the Ansar emerged from the Muslim ranks, only to be shouted back by the Meccans, who were nervous about starting any unnecessary feuds and only wanted to fight the Quraishi Muslims. So Hamzah approached forward and called on Ubaydah and Ali to join him. The Muslims dispatched the Meccan champions in a three-on-three melee. Hamza killed his opponent Utba; Ali killed his opponent Walid ibn Utba; Ubayda was wounded by his opponent Shayba, but eventually killed him. So this was a victorious traditional 3 on 3 combat for the Muslims. Now both armies began striking arrows at each other. A few Muslims and an unknown number of Quraish warriors were killed. Before the real attack began, Muhammad had given orders to charge, throwing a handful of pebbles at the Meccans in what was probably a traditional Arabian gesture while yelling " Defaced be those faces!" The Muslim army yelled: O thou whom God hath made victorious, slay!" and rushed the Quraishi lines. The Meccans, understrength and unenthusiastic about fighting, promptly broke and ran. The Qur'an describes the force of the Muslim attack in many verses, which refer to thousands of angels descending from Heaven at Badr to terrify the Quraish. It should be noted that Muslim sources take this account literally, and there are several hadith where Muhammad discusses the Angel Jibreel and the role he played in the battle.

Aftermath
The Battle of Badr was, in fact, a turning point in the history of Islam. Thus the standard of truth was established, never to be lowered again. This Muslim victory was in no way an act of suppression or an atrocity but this battle was a battle between Truth and falsehood: the circumstance in which the Holy Prophet and his companions were forced to migrate Makkah to Madinah had been created by the Makkans themselves and the decision of the Quraish elders to eliminate Muhammad (PBUH) was itself a declaration of war. Although both the Quraish and the Muslims had prayed to God for help before confronting each other, it was the Muslim force whom God helped in every way because they were fighting in his cause. On the moral plan also, the Makkans were engaged in all kinds of evils, and were arrogant in their approach towards their own people. On the other hand, the Muslims were pious, Godfearing, and steadfast in their pursuit of seeking Gods pleasure, patient, praying, fasting and seeking only Gods help for the survival of his Deen (Religion) on this earth. Thus the Battle of Badr changed the measures of spiritual, political, military and collective forces on the Arabian peninsula and thus the superiority of the armed strength of the Musflms was established all over Arab world. They also thus held the reins of power in the entire Arabia in general and in Madinah in particular. The Muslim victory also signalled other tribes that a new power had arisen in Arabia and strengthened Muhammads position as leader of the often fractious community in Medina. On the contrast, this battle made big dent in the political and military strength of the Quraish and badly damaged their image and dignity. The Battle of Badr was extremely influential in the rise of two men who would determine the course of history on the Arabian Peninsula for the next century. The first was Muhammad, who was transformed overnight from a Meccan outcast into a major leader. At the same time Abd-Allah ibn Ubayy, Muhammad's chief opponent in Medina, found his own position seriously weakened. Henceforth, he would only be able to mount limited challenges to Muhammad. The other major beneficiary of the Battle of Badr was Abu Sufyan. The death of Amr ibn Hashim, as well as many other Quraishi nobles gave Abu Sufyan the opportunity, almost by default, to become chief of the Quraish. As a result, when Muhammad marched into Mecca six years later, it was Abu Sufyan who helped negotiate its peaceful surrender. Abu Sufyan subsequently became a high-ranking official in the Muslim Empire, and his son Muawiyahwould later go on to found the Umayyad Caliphate. As Paul K. Davis sums up, "Mohammeds victory confirmed his authority as leader of Islam; by impressing local tribes that joined him, the expansion of Islam began." Philip Hitti comments about this Battle in the following words "However unimportant in itself this Ghazwah-I-Badr laid the foundation of Holy Prophet SAW worldly powers. Islam had owned its first military victory. The spirit of discipline and contempt of death, manifested at this first encounter of Islam, proved characteristics of it in all the later and greater conquests.. ." In the words of Joseph Hell, "The victory of the Battle of Badr resulted in the consolidation of power of the prophet in Yasrib. The most important result of the battle however was the deepening of faith of Muhammad SAW in himself and his closest companions in the prophetic missions." Badr in the Qur'an The Battle of Badr is one of the few battles explicitly discussed in the Qur'an. It is even mentioned by name as part of a comparison with the Battle of Uhud. Qur'an: Al-i-Imran 3:123125 (Yusuf Ali). Allah had helped you at Badr, when ye were a contemptible little force; then fear Allah; thus May ye show your gratitude. Remember thou saidst to the Faithful: "Is it not enough for you that Allah should help you with three thousand angels (Specially) sent down? "Yea, if ye remain firm, and act aright, even if the enemy should rush here on you in hot haste, your Lord would help you with five thousand angels Making a terrific onslaught. Qur'an: Al-i-Imran 3:13 (Yusuf Ali). There has already been for you a Sign in the two armies that met (in combat): One was fighting in the cause of Allah, the other resisting Allah; these saw with their own eyes twice their number. But Allah doth support with His aid whom He pleaseth. In this is a warning for such as have eyes to see.

Badr is also the subject of Sura 8: Al-Anfal, which details military conduct and operations. "Al-Anfal" means "the spoils" and is a reference to the post-battle discussion in the Muslim army over how to divide up the plunder from the Quraishi army. Though the Sura does not name Badr, it describes the battle, and several of the verses are commonly thought to have been from or shortly after the battle. Lessons from the Battle of Badr The Battle of Badr is a great example from our history that teaches; 'victory does not depend on numbers or collecting weapons and shields - Victory is from Allah'. "How often has a small group overcome a might host by Allah's leave. And Allah is with the patient." [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 249] However, Allah only grants victory to those who believe in Him and put their complete trust in Him. Allah sent blessing and help to the believers in the battle of Badr and made them victorious over the disbelieving pagans only after putting them to trial. Allah tested the Muslims for ten years in Makkah and then He tested them again by the order to migrate to al-Medina leaving behind all possessions. It was their craving for Allah's Pleasure and Paradise that they proclaimed: "We will fight along with you. By Allah! If you were to take us to Bark al-Ghimad, we will still fight with determination against its defender until you gained it." So after Allah had tested them, He made them stand firm against their enemies, and granted them the courage to fight them. It was only by the Help of Allah and His Blessings that the Muslims could defeat the disbeliever who were three time greater in number and well-equipped.