Indexed OCR Text

viz. the trade caravan or the Mushrikeen army. While many of Sahabah w
prepared to intercept the caravan, others did not volunteer themselves because
they thought that all of them would not be needed to attack a mere caravan of
traders.
Therefore a small group of Muslims left Madinah on the 12th of Ramadhaan in
the year 2 A.H. to capture the caravan. Although there were thousands of
people in Madinah, this party comprised of only 313 men according to the most
famous opinion. They did not carry many weapons with them since a full scale
battle was never anticipated. All they had were a few swords, two or three
horses and seventy camels.
The system of communicating messages of urgency was well developed already
during the Period of Ignorance and it was not long before Abu Sufyaan was
alerted to the approach of the Muslim army. He immediately dispatched a
messenger by the name of Damdam to Makkah to request for assistance. When
the Mushrikeen in Makkah got the message, they jumped at the occasion to
engage the Muslims in a battle to have the revenge they held so dearly. Every
tribal chief in Makkah rallied his people and it was within a short period of
time that they left with a fully armed army of a thousand men. They carried
innumerable swords and spears, seven hundred coats of armour, seventy
horses and numerous camels. They clearly intended to annihilate the Muslims.
In the meantime, the Muslims travelled ahead of the caravan so that they could
intercept them. As they reached a place called Safraa, Rasulullaah p
commissioned two scouts by the names of Ibn Amr t and Adi t to go ahead and
get news of the caravan. Ibn Is'haaq als, writes that when two scouts reached the
well of Badr, they overheard a person by the name of Madji bin Amr from the
1020

Juhayna tribe engaged in a conversation with two girls. The one was saying to
the other, "The caravan of the Quraysh is expected here tomorrow or the
following day. I shall then do some work for them and earn something to pay
you what I owe you." Ibn Amr t then quietly took his camel to the well for
watering before heading back to inform Rasulullaah p about what they had
learnt.
However, Abu Sufyaan was also scouting ahead of his caravan to judge whether
the road was safe for them to use. He happened to meet Majdi at the well and
enquired whether he had seen any strangers. Majdi informed him that he had
noticed two people who appeared to be strangers and had arrived to water their
camels. Abu Sufyaan then went to the place beside the well where the men
had been and studied the droppings of the camels. By crushing the droppings,
he noticed that there were date seeds inside them. "This is the food of
Yathrib," he remarked as he realised that the men had been Muslim scouts
from Madinah. He then hurried back to the caravan and altered their course so
that they travelled on the coast and made a wide berth around Badr.
By then the Muslims had passed through Safraa and reached the Dhugraan
valley. It was here that the two scouts conveyed the intelligence to Rasulullaah p
about the imminent arrival of the caravan. At the same time, Rasulullaah p was
also given the information of the arrival of the Mushrikeen army headed for
Badr. Since the situation had changed drastically since they left Madinah,
Rasulullaah p consulted with the Sahabah w concerning their plan of action.
Rasulullaah p told them that they could engage the Mushrikeen army, which was
almost upon them and decisively prove that the truth prevails over falsehood.
Since fighting a full blown battle is something people have a natural aversion for,
some Sahabah y suggested that it would be better to pursue the caravan, which
was not yet out of reach, because the Muslims were ill-prepared to do battle
against such a formidable enemy.
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Rasulullaah p disliked this opinion and bade the Sahabah \ to forget about the
caravan and to concentrate on the threat at hand from the Mushrikeen army.
When the same Sahabah w repeated their opinion and reason, Rasulullaah p
repeated the question. Realising that Rasulullaah p intended to draw a decisive
line between the truth and falsehood, the senior Sahabah w like Hadhrat Abu
Bakr t, Hadhrat Umar t and Hadhrat Ali t expressed their will to fight the
Mushrikeen. They declared that they were at his command and prepared to do
as he instructed.
Supporting this decision, Hadhrat Miqdaad bin Aswad t stood up and said, "O
Rasulullaah p! Do as you have been commanded by Allaah and we will stand by
your side. By Allaah! We shall never say as the Bani Israa'eel did when they told
Moosa v, 'You and your Rabb go and fight while we remain sitting here.' O
Rasulullaah p! Much to the contrary, we say, 'You and your Rabb go and fight
while we are right there fighting on your right, on your left, ahead of you and
behind you."" Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mas'ood t, who narrated this Hadith says,
"I then saw the face of Rasulullaah p glow with joy."511
Despite this show of courage, Rasulullaah p repeated his question for a third
time. Realising that Rasulullaah p needed the support of the Ansaar, the leader
of the Ansaar Hadhrat Sa'd bin Mu'aadh t stood up and said, "O Rasulullaah p! It
seems that you are addressing the Ansaar?" When Rasulullaah p confirmed that
he was, Hadhrat Sa'd t delivered a speech that was historic. He said, "O
Rasulullaah p! We believed in you and have testified that whatever you have
brought is the absolute truth. We have also pledged our allegiance and undying
support to you. O Rasulullaah p! You had left Madinah with the intention of
511
Bukhaari, Hadith 564.
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doing something, but Allaah had decided otherwise. You may do as you deem fit.
We are with you if you decide to maintain relations with someone or if you
decide to sever relations. We are also with you if you decide to make peace with
someone or if you decide to continue hostilities. You may take as much of our
wealth as you please and leave as much as you please, but that which you take
from us is more beloved to us than that which you leave. We shall travel with
you even if you take us to Barkul Ghimaad (a far-off place). I swear by the Being
Who has sent you with the truth that if you command us to dive into the oceans,
we are prepared to do as you say, without a single one of us remaining behind.
Our hearts shall never falter to go to battle against the enemies. Inshaa Allaah,
we shall be patient and true when fighting in battle. We hope from Allaah that
He will show to you those aspects of us that will cool your eyes. You may now
lead us in the name of Allaah."512
These courageous words from his companions made Rasulullaah p very happy
and he said, "Let us march in the name of Allaah. Allaah has given me the good
news that we shall certainly prevail over either the caravan of Abu Sufyaan or
the army of Abu Jahal. I have also been shown exactly where each one of the
Kuffaar will fall when they are killed." A narration of Muslim states that
Rasulullaah p marked the places on the ground where specific Mushrikeen will
fall after they are killed.
In the Words of the Qur'aan
Referring to Rasulullaah p consulting with the Muhaajireen and Ansaar on this
occasion, Allaah says in verses 5-8 of Surah Anfaal:
512
Zurqaani (Vol.1 Pg.413).
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كَمَا أَخْرَ جَكَ رَبُّكَ مِنْ بَيْتِكَ بِالْحَقِّ. وَ إِنَّ فَرِيْقًا مِّنَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ لَكُرِبُوْنَ "(٥) يُجَادِلُوْنَكَ فِى الْحَقِّ بَعْدَ مَا تَبَيَّنَ
كَأَنَّمَا يُسَاقُوْنَ إِلَى الْمَوْتِ وَبُمْ يَنْظُرُوْنَ ﴾ (٢) وَ إِذْ يَعِدُكُمُ اللهُ إِحْدَى الطَّانِفَتَّيْنِ أَنَّهَا لَّكُمْ وَتَوَدُّوْنَ أَنَّ غَيْرَ ذَاتٍ
الشَّوْكَةِ تَكُوْنُ لَكُمْ وَيُرِيِّدُ اللهُ أَنْ يُّحِقَّ الْحَقَّ بِكَلِمُتِمٍ وَيَقْطَعَ دَابِرَ الْكُفِرِيْنَ (٧) لِيُحِقَّ الْحَقَّ وَيُبْطِلَ الْبَاطِلَ
وَلَوْكَرِهِ الْمُجْرِمُوْنَ ◌َ(٨)
TRANSLATION: Just as your Rabb took you (O Muhammad &) from your home (Madinah) with
the truth (with good cause to fight the battle) while there was certainly a group of the
Mu'mineen who were unhappy (to fight the Kuffaar because they were not prepared for battle).
They (some Sahabah y) differed with you (O Rasulullaah p) regarding the truth (the necessity
to fight) after it was made clear to them (that they had to face the enemy in battle), as if they
were being driven towards death while they looked on (as if they were looking at their deaths
approaching). (The few Sahabah w who felt that the Muslims should not engage in battle did not
argue adamantly in favour of their opinion, but merely voiced their concern that they were
unprepared for battle because they had left Madinah only with the intention of capturing a trade
caravan. However, because of their high position of being companions of Rasulullaah p, they were
expected to have a high degree of trust in Allaah. It is for this reason that Allaah chides them
somewhat in the above verses.) (Remember the time) When Allaah promised you (Muslims) that
one of the two groups (either the caravan or the Mushrikeen army) will certainly be yours and
you wished that the one without strength (the caravan) be yours (rather than fighting a heavily
armed army). (On the contrary,) Allaah desired that the truth (of Islaam) be established (be
recognised) as the truth (so that the Kuffaar would know that the Muslims are a force to be
reckoned with) by His decree (as He had predestined) and that the roots of the Kaafiroon be
cut. (Allaah desired) That the truth (Islaam) be established (be recognised and firmly rooted) as
the truth and that falsehood (kufr) be established (be known) as falsehood, even though the
disobedient ones (the Mushrikeen) detest it. (Because Allaah had destined that the Muslims should
defeat the Mushrikeen in battle to prove their strength, the battle had to take place even though some
people preferred not to fight. What Allaah decides must prevail because His decisions are most wise.)
Arriving at the Battlefield
The Muslims then marched on until they reached Badr and set up camp on the
side of Badr that was closer to Madinah. However, the Mushrikeen reached Badr
first and therefore occupied the area around the well and the areas that were
more suitable for camping. Their area was closer to Makkah and directly across
the Muslims.
1024

The area that the Muslims were forced to occupy was without water and the
ground was soft, making it difficult to set up camp and to move about freely.
However, Allaah sent rain, which caused the ground to harden and also allowed
them to collect water in little ponds. In the other hand, the rain caused the
ground of the Mushrikeen to become muddy and soft, causing them to slip and
fall.
In the Words of the Qur'aan
Describing this situation, the Qur'aan states in verse 42 of Surah Anfaal:
إِذْ أَنْتُمْ بِالْعُدْوَةِ الدُّنْيَا وَبُمْ بِالْعُدْوَةِ الْقُصْوَى وَالرَّكْبُ اسْفَلَ مِنْكُمْ ٥* وَلَوْ تَوَاعَدْتُّمْ لَاخْتَلَفْتُمْ فِى الْمِيْعِدِ ، وَلكِنْ
لَيَقْضِىَ اللهُ أَمْرًا كَانَ مَفْعُوْلًا نهىٌ لِّيَبْلِكَ مَنْ بَلَكَ عَنَّ بَيِّنَةٍ وَّيَحْيِى مَنْ حَىَّ عَنَّ بَيِّنَةٍ * وَ إِنَّ اللّهَ لَسَمِيْعٌ عَلِيمٌ
(٢٢)
TRANSLATION: (The day of the distinction was the day) When you (the Muslim army)
were on the near side (close to Madinah) and they (the Mushrikeen army) were at
the far side (further away) while the caravan (of the Mushrikeen) was below you
(travelling along the coast). If you (Muslims and Mushrikeen) had promised (arranged
a date) to meet each other (in battle), you would have differed with regard to the
appointment. However, (without the prior knowledge of either army) Allaah decides
a matter that was (destined) to take place so that he who was to be destroyed
may be destroyed after a clear proof (after witnessing Allaah assist the Mu'mineen to
win victory despite all odds being against them) and so that he who was to live may
live after (witnessing) a clear proof (thereby giving him a chance to accept Imaan).
Without doubt Allaah is All Hearing (He heard the du'aa of the Muslims before the
battle), All Knowing (He knows the outcome of everything).
Verse 11 of Surah Anfaal states:
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إِذْ يُغَشَّيْكُمُ النُّعَاسَ آَمَنَّ مِّنْهُ وَيُنَزِّلُ عَلَيْكُمْ مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ مَآءً لَّيُطَهِّرَكُمْ بِهِ وَيُذْبِبَ عَنْكُمْ رِجْزَ الشَّيْطِنِ وَلِيَرْبِطَ
عَلَى قُلُوْبِكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتَ بِهِ الْأَقْدَامَ (١١)
TRANSLATION: (When the two armies met at Badr, the Mushrikeen camped at a place where there
was sufficient water and where the ground was firm. On the other hand, the camp of the Muslims had
no water and was covered with loose sand which made it difficult for them to move. To give courage
to the Mu'mineen, Allaah again calls them to remember the time) When (in the thick of battle)
slumber was made to envelop you as a means of serenity from Him (so that you do not
panic) and He sent rain to you from the skies to purify you (so that you could perform wudhu
for salaah), to dispel the evil thoughts cast by Shaytaan (who told the Mu'mineen that if they
were on the right, they would not have been in a position where there was no water for them to drink
or clean themselves with), to strengthen your hearts and to make your feet firm (with the rain,
the ground in the Muslim camp became firm while the ground in the Mushrikeen camp became muddy
and unstable).
Verses 123-127 of Surah Aal Imraan state:
وَلَقَدْ نَصَرَكُمُ اللهُ بِبَدْرٍ وَ انْتُمْ آَذِلَّةٌ نَّ فَاتَّقُوا اللهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُوْنَ (١٢٣) إِذْ تَقُوْلُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ آَلَنْ يَّكْفِيَكُمْ أَنْ يُّمِدَّكُمْ
رَبُّكُمْ بِثَلَنَّةِ أَلْفٍ مِّنَ الْمَلْئِكَةِ مُنْزَلِيْنَ (١٢٣) ﴿ بَلَى ◌ٌ إِنْ تَصْبِرُوا وَتَتَّقُوْا وَيَآتُؤْكُمْ مِّنْ فَوْرِيِمْ بُذَا يُمْدِدْكُمْ رَبُّكُمْ
بِخَمْسَةِ الْفٍ مِّنَ الْمَلْئِكَةٍ مُسَوِّمِيْنَ (١٢٥) وَمَا جَعَلَهُ اللهُ إِلَّا بُشْرَى لَكُمْ وَلِتَطْمَئِنَّ قُلُوْبُكُمْ بِم ٥* وَمَا النَّصْرُ إِلَّ
مِنْ عِنْدِ اللهِ الْعَزِيْزِ الْحَكِيْمِ (١٢٦) لِيَقْطَعَ طَرَفًا مِّنَ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا أَوْ يَكْبِتَهُمْ فَيَنْقَلِبُوْا خَائِبِيْنَ (١٢٤)
TRANSLATION: Allaah had undoubtedly assisted you (Muslims) at Badr when you were in a
weak position (with a smaller army and few weapons). So fear Allaah to express gratitude to
Him. (O Muhammad &, remember also the time) When you told the Mu'mineen, "Is it not
sufficient for you that your Rabb reinforces you with three thousand angels, (specially)
dispatched (descending from the heavens to assist you against the enemy)?" Certainly (this is
sufficient)! (Furthermore) If you adopt Taqwa and if they (the enemy) attack you this instant,
(then to remove your anxiety) your Rabb shall reinforce you with five thousand marked
angels. (Allaah then sent five thousand mounted angels to assist the Muslims in the battle, each
1026

angel wearing a turban.) Allaah had granted this (assistance) only so that it may be good
news for you (Muslims, to remove your anxiety) and so that your hearts may be comforted by
it (and you may then be able to fight with more courage, ease and tranquillity). Assistance is only
from Allaah (and not from large armies and equipment), The Mighty, The Wise. (Allaah had
granted this assistance for your confidence and courage and also so) That He may destroy a party
of the Kaafiroon (when they are killed or captured in battle) or disgrace them (when they lose the
battle despite being better equipped) so they return as losers (defeated and humiliated).
Preparation for the Battle
That evening, Rasulullaah p sent some of the Sahabah \ to gather intelligence
about the Mushrikeen army. This scouting group happened to meet two slaves
from the Mushrikeen army, who told the Sahabah w that they were people from
Makkah looking for some water. Certain that they were lying the Sahabah w beat
them into admitting that they really were with Abu Sufyaan. They then brought
the men to Rasulullaah p, who asked them some questions. When he was done,
Rasulullaah p reprimanded the Sahabah w for beating the slaves into submission.
Rasulullaah p said, "You beat them up when they were speaking the truth and
then left them when they lied. By Allaah! These two are men from the Quraysh
(and not with Abu Sufyaan)."
Rasulullaah p then asked them, "Where are the Quraysh?" They replied, "By
Allaah! They are behind that hill." "How many are they?" Rasulullaah p asked
further. "They do not appear to be too many," came the reply. Rasulullaah p
then asked, "Alright, then tell me how many camels they slaughter to eat every
day?" When the slaves informed Rasulullaah p that they sometimes
slaughtered nine and sometimes ten camels, Rasulullaah p deduced that the
Mushrikeen numbered between 900 to a 1000. This was because a camel fed
approximately one hundred persons.
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Rasulullaah p then asked them which of the chiefs of the Quraysh were with the
army. After they had named several of the chiefs, Rasulullaah p said to the
Sahabah w, "It seems like the Quraysh have flung their most beloved sons before
you." Hadhrat Umar t reports that on the eve before the battle, Rasulullaah p
led them to the battlefield and pointed out to them the exact spots where the
various chiefs of the Quraysh would fall in battle. Hadhrat Umar t said, "I swear
by the Being Who sent Rasulullaah p with the truth that none of these men
passed even slightly over the spot where Rasulullaah p indicated they would
fall."
Rasulullaah p then spent that entire night in salaah and du'aa. The following
morning he awakened the Sahabah y for the Fajr salaah and, after leading them
in salaah, he encouraged them to fight with courage, determination and
perseverance.
The Battle Begins
It was on Friday the 17th of Ramadhaan (11 March) that the Sahabah \ formed
their rows to face the Mushrikeen in battle. Turning to Allaah in supplication,
Rasulullaah p prayed, "O Allaah! You had promised me Your assistance, so do
send it. O Allaah! If this handful of Muslims is destroyed today, there will be
none left on this earth to worship You. O Allaah! These Kuffaar have come with
pomp and pride to fight. O Allaah! They oppose You and belie Your Nabi, so send
down the assistance You have promised me and destroy them."513
Seeing the distress of Rasulullaah p as he begged from Allaah, Hadhrat Abu Bakr
t approached him and said, "O Rasulullaah p! That is enough. Allaah shall never
allow you to be defeated. Be assured that Allaah will certainly fulfil His promise."
513 Seerah by Ibn Hishaam.
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After completing his du'aa, Rasulullaah p arranged the rows of battle. Noticing
that Hadhrat Sawaad bin Ghaziyya t was out of line, Rasulullaah p lightly
prodded his abdomen with an arrow he held in his hand and said, "Straighten up,
Sawaad." This action prompted a reaction that became a showcase for the
remarkable character of Rasulullaah p. Hadhrat Sawaad t responded by saying,
"O Rasulullaah p! You have hurt me by this action. I have no doubt that Allaah
has sent you with the truth, so I request that you permit me to have redress."
Rasulullaah p immediately lifted his upper garment to expose his abdomen and
said, "You may have your injury redressed." Rather than prodding the abdomen
of Rasulullaah p, Hadhrat Sawaad t embraced him and kissed Rasulullaah p's
abdomen. Thus doing, he said, "That was all I intended doing because this may
be the last time I shall meet you." Rasulullaah p smiled and prayed for him.514
In the meantime, the Quraysh had sent Umayr bin Wahab as a spy to assess the
strength of the Muslims. He returned with the news that he estimated their
number at 300, but feared that they may have reinforcements waiting to attack
from somewhere else. The Quraysh therefore reconnoitred the area for a
distance before finally concluding that reinforcements were nowhere to be seen.
Morale was very high in the Muslim camp because every one of them relished
both outcomes of the battle; which were either victory or martyrdom. There
was some indecision in the ranks of the Mushrikeen army, but Abu Jahal
managed to convince everyone to fight by inciting their tribal pride.
514
Isaabah (Vol.2 Pg.95).
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The first to step forward on to the battlefield and challenge their opponents
were Hadhrat Auf bin Haarith t, Hadhrat Mu'awwidh bin Haarith t and Hadhrat
Abdullaah bin Rawaaha t, all from the Ansaar. When the three called for
challengers, one of the Qurayshi chiefs Utba asked, "Who are you people?" "We
are a group from the Ansaar," came the reply. To this, Utba shouted, "We have
no need for you people. We want to fight the men from our tribe." He then
addressed Rasulullaah p and said, "O Muhammad! Send us some matches from
our people to fight!"
Rasulullaah p recalled the three men from the Ansaar and, calling them forward
by name, he sent Hadhrat Ali T, Hadhrat Hamzah t and Hadhrat Ubaydah bin
Haarith t. As the three stepped forward, Waleed came forward to challenge
Hadhrat Ali t, Shaybah stepped forward to challenge Hadhrat Hamzah t and
Utba came to challenge Hadhrat Ubaydah t. As the one-to-one combat started,
Hadhrat Ali t and Hadhrat Hamzah t promptly dispelled their opponents to
Jahannam, but Hadhrat Ubaydah t was injured, while also managing to injure his
opponent. Utba then managed to swing his sword with such force that it
completely severed the leg of Hadhrat Ubaydah t, causing him to fall to the
ground. Just then Hadhrat Ali t and Hadhrat Hamzah t came to the aid of their
fallen comrade and dispatched Utba to meet his two fallen friends.
The two carried Hadhrat Ubaydah t off the battlefield and it was upon their
return from Badr that he started to suffer the pangs of death. In his last
moments of consciousness, he pressed his cheek on Rasulullaah p's foot and
breathed his last. May Allaah's mercy and blessings enshroud him. Rasulullaah p
then gave him one of the highest accolades when he said, "I testify that you have
indeed passed away as a martyr."s15 It was at a place called Safraa that he passed
away and he was buried there. It is reported that Rasulullaah p was once
515 Al Bidaayah wan Nihaayah (Vol.3 Pg.274).
1030

passing by Safraa with the Sahabah w on another occasion, when the Sahabah
y remarked that they smelt the fragrance of musk. Rasulullaah p explained,
"That is not at all surprising because Ubaydah's grave is here."
Muslim reports from Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas t that he heard Hadhrat
Umar t say that when Rasulullaah p saw the Mushrikeen number over a
thousand, while the Sahabah y were just over three hundred, he entered his
tent to make du'aa. Rasulullaah p prayed to Allaah, saying, "O Allaah! You had
made me a promise, so do fulfil it. O Allaah! If this handful of people is
destroyed, there shall be none left on earth to worship You." Rasulullaah p then
continued to make du'aa for a long period of time until Hadhrat Abu Bakr t
arrived. Holding Rasulullaah p's hand, he said, "O Rasulullaah p! That is enough.
You have entreated your Rabb for a long while. He will definitely fulfil His
promise." Rasulullaah p then left his tent, reciting the verse:
سَيُبْزَمُ الْجَمْعُ وَ يُؤَلُّوْنَ الدُّبُرَ (٣٥)
TRANSLATION: The band shall soon be defeated and they will turn their backs in flight516
The historian Ibn Is'haaq i, has written that as Rasulullaah p made du'aa, he
was overcome with slumber for a brief moment. He then said to Hadhrat Abu
Bakr t, "O Abu Bakr! I give you the glad tidings that the help of Allaah has
arrived. Here is Jibra'eel, holding his horse by its reins, with dust on his face."517
516
Surah Qamar, verse 45.
517 Bukhaari.
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To assist the Muslims in this battle, Allaah first sent a thousand angels, then
another three thousand and then a further five thousand. Most of these angels
appeared in the form of humans. Hadhrat Abu Usayd Saa'idi t, who participated
in the Battle of Badr, mentioned that the angels who participated wore cream
coloured turbans, with the ends of the turbans hanging between their shoulder
blades. The angels were commanded to strike at the necks and limbs of the
Kuffaar and kill them. Hadhrat Rabee bin Anas t reported that the Kuffaar killed
by the angels were distinguished from those killed by the Sahabah y because
their necks and limbs bore black scars as if struck by swords of fire. 518
Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Abbaas t reports that one of the Ansaar was chasing after
a Kaafir during the battle, when he heard someone say, "Forward Hayzoom!"
(Hayzoom was the name of Hadhrat Jibra'eel v's horse). He then heard the crack
of a whip and saw the Kaafir lying dead on the ground. The nose and face of the
Kaafir were cleaved open and carried the scars of being struck by a whip. When
the Sahabi t reported the incident, Rasulullaah p said, "You are right about
what you saw. These were our reinforcements from the third heaven."519
Hadhrat Suhayl bin Haneef t said, "When any of us merely pointed to a Mushrik
during the Battle of Badr, we would see him being decapitated before our sword
reached him."520
Rasulullaah p continuously spurred the Muslims on during the battle. On one
occasion, he said to them, "I swear by the Being Who controls the life of
518
Fat'hul Baari.
519
Fat'hul Baari (Vol.7 Pg.242).
520
Zurqaani (Vol.1 Pg.427).
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Muhammad that the one who is killed while fighting the enemy with
perseverance and sincerity will certainly be admitted into Jannah." Hadhrat
Umayr bin Humaam t was eating some dates at the time because he had been
extremely hungry all the while. However, when he heard these words from
Rasulullaah p, he immediately cast the dates aside and said, "It would take too
long to wait until the dates have finished. How can I wait so long?" He then took
up his sword and started to fight the enemy until he was martyred. 521
As the battle raged, Hadhrat Auf bin Haarith t asked, "O Rasulullaah p! What is it
about a person that most pleases Allaah?" Rasulullaah p replied, "It pleases
Allaah most to see a person attack the enemy without any fear." Hearing this,
Hadhrat Auf t removed the armour he was wearing, took up his sword and
started to fight the enemy until he was martyred. May Allaah shower His mercy
and blessings upon him.
NOTE: The mother of Hadhrat Auf bin Haarith t was a lady named Afraa ( al gia ).
She had him as well as his two brothers Mu'aadh t and Mu'awwidh t from her
first husband Haarith. From her second husband, she had four sons, whose
names were lyaas t, Aaqil t, Khaalid t and Aamir t. Hadhrat Afraa lie dul det) Was
therefore the only woman who had the honour of having all her seven sons
participate in the Battle of Badr. 522
The morale of the Mushrikeen was lowered from the very beginning when
their three chiefs Utba, Shaybah and Waleed were killed. As they started to
grow worried and scared, Abu Jahal encouraged them by telling them that these
three had thrown caution to the wind and had behaved too hastily. He then took
521
Tabagaat Ibn Sa'd (Vol.2 Pg.16).
522
Zurqaani (Vol.1 Pg.416).
1033

an oath in the names of his idols Laat and Uzza that they would not return to
Makkah without taking the Muslims with them in chains.
Abu Jahal then prayed to Allaah, saying, "O Allaah! Destroy those of us who
sever family ties and grand assistance and victory to those whom You love
most." It was at the same time that Rasulullaah p made du'aa to Allaah saying,
"O Allaah! If this handful of people is destroyed, there shall be none left on earth
to worship You". The battle then commenced in earnest and Rasulullaah p gave
the Sahabah u the tidings that any of them who are martyred in the battle will
certainly be admitted into Jannah.
Allaah then instructed Rasulullaah p to throw a handful of sand at the
Mushrikeen army, which penetrated the eyes, mouth and nose of every one of
the Mushrikeen. It was then that the Muslims launched their attack, which
caught the Mushrikeen completely by surprise. The famous historian Ibn Shihaab
Zuhri , and Hadhrat Urwa bin Zubayr t have stated that the sand caused all the
Mushrikeen, even their chiefs, to become completely disorientated. This made it
easy for the Muslims to capture and kill them.
Amongst the staunchest of Rasulullaah p's enemies was a man named Umayyah
bin Khalaf. He was reluctant to join the Mushrikeen army to Badr, but was forced
to do so when Abu Jahal taunted him. When his wife Ummu Safwaan heard
about it, she said, "Do you not remember the words of your brother from
Yathrib (Rasulullaah p) when he said that you will die at the hands of his
comrades?" Umayyah and his wife heard this from Hadhrat Sa'd bin Mu'aadh t
when he visited them in Makkah. "I remember well," Umayyah replied, "I shall
therefore march with the army for a short distance and then return home so
that none can call me a coward."
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However, Allaah had decreed that he would be killed and so he marched on until
the army reached Badr. When Hadhrat Bilaal t saw him on the battlefield, he
immediately pointed him out to the Ansaar, reminding them that it was
Umayyah who tortured him by dragging him in the hot sands of Makkah so that
he should renounce Islaam. Upon hearing the call of Hadhrat Bilaal t, the Ansaar
immediately attacked Umayyah and killed him.
Abu Jahal is Killed
Hadhrat Abdur Rahmaan bin Awf t, who was amongst the most senior of the
Sahabah w relates, "I was standing in the fighting line during the Battle of Badr
when I noticed that there were two youngsters from the Ansaar standing on my
either side. I thought that it would have been better for me if I had been
between two strong men who could help me in need. 'How would two young
lads be of any help to me?' I thought. Just then one of the lads caught my hand
and said, 'Uncle! Do you know Abu Jahal?' I replied, 'Yes, But what do you
mean by this?' He said, 'I have come to know that he insults Rasulullaah p . I
swear by the Being Who controls my life that if I see him, I will not leave him
until I kill him or I am killed.'
I was still reeling in amazement with his words when the other lad had a similar
talk with me. I then happened to notice Abu Jahal dashing about in the
battlefield on horseback. I said to the lads, 'There is the object of your quest.'
They both immediately darted towards him and started attacking him with their
swords, until I saw him fall to the ground."
A narration of Bukhaari states that the two youngsters were Hadhrat Mu'aadh t
and Hadhrat Mu'awwidh t, the two sons of Hadhrat Afraa us al . Abu Jahal's son
1035

Ikramah came to the aid of his father when the youngsters attacked and struck
the shoulder of Hadhrat Mu'aadh t so forcefully that his arm was cut off and
hung by the skin only. He continued to fight like this until the evening, but
when it became too cumbersome, he severed it from his body by placing it
under his foot and pulling himself up. Hadhrat Mu'awwidh t was martyred in
the battle, but his brother Hadhrat Mu'aadh t lived to see the Khilaafah of
Hadhrat Muʼaawiya t.
During the course of the battle, Rasulullaah p told the Sahabah w to see what
had happened to Abu Jahal. Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mas'ood t went to look for
him amongst the dead bodies and found him lying there with some life still left in
him. Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mas'ood t sat on his chest, to which the fallen Abu
Jahal remarked, "O goat herder! Today you have found a noble position to sit
upon." To this, Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mas'ood t said, "All praise belongs to
Allaah Who has made this possible for me and has disgraced you today, O enemy
of Allaah!"
"What do you intend doing now?" Abu Jahal asked. Hadhrat Abdullaah bin
Mas'ood t replied, "I intend severing your head and presenting it to Rasulullaah
p." Abu Jahal then said, "Alright, then convey the message to him that today I
have more enmity for him than ever before." Hadhrat Abdullaah bin Mas'ood t
then severed his head from the body and took it to Rasulullaah p with the
message. To this, Rasulullaah p exclaimed, "Allaahu Akbar! He was the Fir'oun
to me and to this Ummah, but his evil was even worse than that of Fir'oun."
Rasulullaah p then handed the sword of Abu Jahal over to Hadhrat Abdullaah bin
Mas'ood T.523
523
Sharhu Siyaril Kabeer by Sarakhsi ilas ).
1036

It was during the Battle of Badr that the sword of Hadhrat Ukaasha bin Mihsin t
broke. Rasulullaah p then handed him the branch of a date palm, which
transformed into a sword in the hand of Hadhrat Ukaasha t. He then used this
sword to fight until Allaah granted victory to the Muslims. He named the sword
'Awn' and used it in every battle he fought thereafter. Hadhrat Ukaasha t was
eventually martyred during the Khilaafah of Hadhrat Abu Bakr T.524
The Mushrik chief Ubaydah bin Sa'eed bin Al Aas was covered in armour from
head to toe during the Battle of Badr, with only his eyes being visible. Hadhrat
Zubayr t managed to throw his spear into the gap in the armour with such force
that Ubaydah was killed instantly. The force of his throw was so great that he
struggled to pull out the spear from the head even though he tugged at it with
his foot placed on Ubaydah's head. When the spear did eventually emerge, it
was bent. Rasulullaah p later asked Hadhrat Zubayr t for the spear as a
remembrance. When Rasulullaah p passed away, the spear passed into the
custody of Hadhrat Abu Bakr t, after which it went to Hadhrat Uthmaan t and
then to Hadhrat Ali t. After Hadhrat Ali t passed away, it was handed over to
Hadhrat Zubayr t's son Hadhrat Abdullaah t.
The battle raged from morning to evening and the Muslims were rewarded with
victory by the evening. Seventy of the Mushrikeen were killed, including many
of their chiefs, and another seventy were taken captive. The bodies of the dead
Mushrikeen were thrown into a disused well. The research of Haafidh Ibn Hajar
dil 44, reveals that 24 bodies of the Mushrikeen were thrown into the well, while
the others were buried elsewhere. 525
Tabaqaat (Vol.3 Pg.64).
Fat'hul Baari (Vol.7 Pg.234).
1037

Three days later, Rasulullaah p issued the command to leave Badr. Before
leaving, he stopped at the well and called out the names of the Mushrikeen.
Thereafter, he said, "Were you not happy to obey Allaah and His Rasul-
Messenger? We have found the promise Allaah made to us to be true. Have you
also found Allaah's promise to you to be true?"
A narration from Ibn Is'haaquilo, states that Rasulullaah p also added, "O people
of this pit! You were very bad tribesmen to your Nabi. You belied me when
others believed in me. You banished me when others gave me shelter. You
fought me when others protected me. You called a trustworthy person a traitor
and a truthful person a liar. May Allaah therefore grant you retribution that it
just as evil as you have been."
Hadhrat Umar t then asked, "O Rasulullaah p! Are you talking to dead bodies?"
Rasulullaah p replied, "I swear by the Being Who controls my life that they can
hear me better than you can, but are unable to reply."526
In the Words of the Qur' aan
The Qur'aan discusses the Battle of Badr in several verses, amongst which are
the following:
Verses 5-19 of Surah Anfaal state:
526
Zurqaani (Vol.1 Pg.433).
1038

كَمَا أَخْرَ جَكَ رَبُّكَ مِنْ بَيْتِكَ بِالْحَقِّ. وَ إِنَّ فَرِيقًا مِّنَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ لَكُرِبُوْنَ "(٥) يُجَادِلُوْنَكَ فِى الْحَقِّ بَعْدَ مَا تَبَيَّنَ
كَأَنَّمَا يُسَاقُوْنَ إِلَى الْمَوْتِ وَبُمْ يَنْظُرُوْنَ * (*) وَ إِذْ يَعِدُكُمُ اللهُ إِحْدَى الطَّائِفَتَيْنِ أَنَّهَا لَكُمْ وَتَوَدُّوْنَ أَنَّ غَيْرَ ذَاتٍ
الشَّوْكَةِ تَكُوْنُ لَكُمْ وَيُرِيْدُ اللهُ أَنْ يُّحِقَّ الْحَقَّ بِكَلِمُتِمٍ وَيَقْطَعَ دَابِرَ الْكُفِرِيْنَ (٧) لِيُحِقَّ الْحَقَّ وَيُبْطِلَ الْبَاطِلَ
وَلَوْكَرِهِ الْمُجْرِمُوْنَ ◌َ(٨) إِذْ تَسْتَغِيْثُوْنَ رَبَّكُمْ فَاسْتَجَابَ لَكُمْ آنِّى مُمِدُّكُمْ بِالْفٍ مِّنَ الْمَلَئِكَةِ مُرْدِفِيْنَ (٩) وَمَا
جَعَلَهُ اللهُ إِلَّ بُشْرَى وَلِتَطْمَئِنَّ بِ قُلُوْبُكُمْ وَمَا النَّصْرُ إِلَّ مِنْ عِنْدِ اللهِ ﴿ إِنَّ اللّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيْمٌ (١٠٪) إِذْ يُغَشِّيْكُمُ
النُّعَاسَ آمَنَةَّ مِّنْهُ وَيُنَزِّلُ عَلَيْكُمْ مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ مَآءَ لَّيُطَهِّرَكُمْ بِم وَيُذْبِبَ عَنْكُمْ رِجْزَ الشَّيْطِنِ وَلِيَرْبِطَ عَلَى قُلُوْبِكُمْ
وَيُثَّبِّتَ بِهِ الْأَقْدَامَ (١١٤) إِذْ يُؤْحِى رَبُّكَ إِلَى الْمَلَئِكَةِ أَنِّيْ مَعَكُمْ فَتَبُّوا الَّذِيْنَ أَمَنُوْا - سَألْقِى فِى قُلُوْبِ الَّذِيْنَ
كَفَرُوا الرُّعْبَ فَاضْرِبُوْا فَوْقَ الْأَعْنَاقِ وَاضْرِبُوْا مِنْهُمْ كُلَّ بَنَانٍ (١٢٠) ذُلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ شَآَقُوا اللهَ وَرَسُوْلَهٌَّ وَمَنْ
يُشَاقِقِ اللهَ وَرَسُوْلَهُ فَإِنَّ اللهَ شَدِيْدُ الْعِقَابِ (١٣) ذَلِكُمْ فَذُوْقُوْهُ وَ أَنَّ لِلْكُفِرِيْنَ عَذَابَ النَّارِ (١٣) يَأَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ
أُمَنُوا إِذَا لَقِيْتُمُ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْا زَحْفًا فَلَا تُوَلُّوْبُمُ الْأَدْبَارَ (١٥٣) وَ مَنْ يُّوَلِِّمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ دُبُرَةً إِلَّا مُتَحَرِّفًا لِّقِتَالٍ أَوْ
مُتَحَيِّزًا إِلِى فِئَةٍ فَقَدْ بَآءَ بِغَضَبٍ مِّنَ اللهِ وَمَأَوَمُ جَهَنَّمُ * وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيْرُ (١٢) فَلَمْ تَقْتُلُوْبُمْ وَلَكِنَّ اللّهَ قَتَلَهُمْ، وَمَا
رَمَيْتَ إِذْ رَمَيْتَ وَلَكِنَّ اللهَ رَمْىٌ وَلِيُبْلِىَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ مِنْهُ بَلَآءً حَسَنًا ﴿ إِنَّ اللهَ سَمِيْعٌ عَلِيمٌ (١٧) ذَلِكُمْ وَ أَنَّ اللهَ
مُؤْبِنُ كَيْدِ الْكُفِرِيِنَ (١٨) إِنْ تَسْتَفْتِحُوْا فَقَدْ جَاءَكُمُ الْفَتْحٌُ وَ إِنْ تَنْتَهُوْا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمٌْ وَ إِنْ تَعُوْدُوْا نَعُدٌْ وَلَنْ
تُغْنِىَ عَنْكُمْ فِئَتُكُمْ شَيْئًا وَلَوْ كَثُرَتْ " وَ أَنَّ اللّهَ مَعَ الْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ (١٩٪)
TRANSLATION: Just as your Rabb took you (O Muhammad &) from your home (Madinah) with
the truth (with good cause to fight the battle) while there was certainly a group of the
Mu'mineen who were unhappy (to fight the Kuffaar because they were not prepared for battle).
They (some Sahabah y) differed with you (O Rasulullaah p) regarding the truth (the necessity
to fight) after it was made clear to them (that they had to face the enemy in battle), as if they
were being driven towards death while they looked on (as if they were looking at their deaths
approaching). (Remember the time) When Allaah promised you (Muslims) that one of the two
groups (either the caravan or the Mushrikeen army) will certainly be yours and you wished that
the one without strength (the caravan) be yours (rather than fighting a heavily armed army). (On
the contrary,) Allaah desired that the truth (of Islaam) be established (be recognised) as the
truth (so that the Kuffaar would know that the Muslims are a force to be reckoned with) by His
decree (as He had predestined) and that the roots of the Kaafiroon be cut. (Allaah desired)
That the truth (Islaam) be established (be recognised and firmly rooted) as the truth and that
falsehood (kufr) be established (be known) as falsehood, even though the disobedient ones
(the Mushrikeen) detest it. (Because Allaah had destined that the Muslims should defeat the
Mushrikeen in battle to prove their strength, the battle had to take place even though some people
preferred not to fight. What Allaah decides must prevail because His decisions are most wise.) (O
Muhammad &, remember also the time before the Battle of Badr) When you sought (implored) help
from your Rabb and He accepted your du'aa saying, "I shall strengthen (reinforce) you with
a thousand angels who will appear one after another (to help you fight the Mushrikeen)." (To
encourage the Muslims, Allaah later sent more and then even more. ) Allaah had granted it (this
help) as good (encouraging) news so that your hearts may be contented by it (although the
Kuffaar seemed to have everything to their advantage). Help is only from Allaah. Verily Allaah is
Mighty, the Wise. (When the two armies met at Badr, the Mushrikeen camped at a place where
1039