If Believers Ask Allah For Help
He Always Helps!
But Believers Must Believe First!
No Matter What The Odds,
Truth Always Prevails
(By: M. Javed Naseem)
Battle of Badr:
The greatest and
most memorable
battle in the history
that changed the
map of the world
to color green!
وَلاَ يَحْسَبَنَّ
ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ سَبَقُوۤاْ إِنَّهُمْ لاَ يُعْجِزُونَ
“Let not the unbelievers think that they
can get the better (of the Godly).
They will never frustrate (them)”.
(al-Quran 8:59)
ذٰلِكَ بِأَنَّهُمْ
شَآقُّواْ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَمَن يُشَاقِقِ ٱللَّهَ
وَرَسُولَهُ فَإِنَّ
ٱللَّهَ شَدِيدُ ٱلْعِقَابِ
“This because they contended against Allah and
His
Messenger. If any contend against Allah
and His
Messenger, Allah is strict in punishment.”
(al.-Quran 8:13)
*************************************************
Nicholson
writes:
“But
the importance of Mohammad’s success
(in
the battle of Badr) cannot be measured by the
material
damage which he inflicted (upon the
pagans
of Mecca).
Considering the momentous
issues
involved, we must allow that Badr,
like
Marathon, is one of the greatest and
most
memorable battles in all history.”
(‘A
Literary History of The Arabs’, by A. Nicholson, 1969).
***************************************************
Badr is the first major encounter between the newly-born
nation of Muslims and the evil-living unbelievers (Kaafireen), the Quraish of
Makkah. This was the one historic event that changed the course of history of
not only the Arabia but of the entire
universe. After almost 1500 years, the history seems to be repeating itself
(now on a different scale). When you look at the events in Palestine, Sudan,
Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Egypt, Kashmir/Pakistan, Burma
(Myanmar) and soon Iran, you realize that this is an onslaught launched by the
forces of evil (falsehood) to eliminate the perceived ‘danger’ to their
existence – Islam or the Muslims. They don’t want to accept the reality that
Islam was the system prescribed by God for the mankind. And it’s going to stay!
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ
كَفَرُواْ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَالَهُمْ لِيَصُدُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ
فَسَيُنفِقُونَهَا
ثُمَّ تَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسْرَةً ثُمَّ يُغْلَبُونَ
وَٱلَّذِينَ
كَفَرُوۤاْ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ يُحْشَرُونَ
“The Unbelievers spend their wealth to
hinder (man)
from the path of Allah, and so will they
continue to spend;
but in the end they will have (only)
regrets and sighs;
at length they will be overcome; and the
Unbelievers
will be gathered together to Hell.”
(al-Quran 8:36)
At the dawn of Islam in Makkah, Muslims were killed,
injured, tortured, robbed, persecuted and cornered. Eventually, they were
expelled while others fled their homes and took refuge somewhere else. It is
happening again today in every place where Islam has its foothold. Muslims are
being massacred, their homes and homelands being destroyed and the survivors
driven out as refugees. In the West, they are targeted and have become victims
of discrimination and Islamophobia.
Muslims are being victimized systematically under a major
international plan. In this situation, when you have your back to the wall, you
fight for your survival with a different spirit than the spirit shown by the war-mongering,
power-hungry, money-loving and oil-seeking evil invaders or oppressors.
And what happens in such situations? The history of mankind
tells us that it is the oppressed that conquer the oppressors in the end!
That’s how Allah balances out the injustice, persecution, aggression,
corruption, transgression and inequality. He helps the oppressed to break the
shackles. The history of David and Goliath is being repeated – and we know the
outcome very well! It’s a matter of time.
وَنُرِيدُ أَن
نَّمُنَّ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱسْتُضْعِفُواْ فِى ٱلأَرْضِ
وَنَجْعَلَهُمْ
أَئِمَّةً وَنَجْعَلَهُمُ ٱلْوَارِثِينَ
“And We wished to be Gracious to those who were
being oppressed in the land, to make them
leaders
(in Faith) and make them inheritors.”
(al-Quran 28:5)
The oppressed are going through the hardest test of their
lives. But they also have a small problem – they are not practicing Islam in
the true sense nor obeying the laws of Allah. That’s a pre-requisite for
seeking Allah’s help.
إِنَّمَا
ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتْ قُلُوبُهُمْ
وَإِذَا تُلِيَتْ
عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتُهُ زَادَتْهُمْ إِيمَاناً وَعَلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ
ٱلَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ
ٱلصَّلاَةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَاهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
“For, Believers are those who, when Allah is
mentioned,
feel a tremor in their hearts, and when
they hear His signs
rehearsed, find their faith strengthened,
and put (all) their
trust in their Lord; who establish regular
prayers and spend
(freely) out of the gifts We have given
them for sustenance.”
(al-Quran 8:2-3)
The Battle of Badr has been referred to in the Holy Quran;
and Allah declared it a “Day of Furqaan”. The Arabic word ‘furqaan’ means to
separate or to distinguish. It was the 17th day of Ramadan, in the 2nd
year of Hijrah (Wikipedia puts it as 13th of March, 624 CE) when the
Almighty Allah separated/distinguished the Truth from Falsehood; the Light from
Darkness; and the Guidance from Ignorance! He gave the believers a great
victory and vanquished the hopes and aspirations of the disbelievers who wanted
to wipe out Islam which had started gaining popularity.
Muslims were a tiny minority and were constantly persecuted
by the politically powerful and financially strong Quraish of Makkah. Their top
adversary was Abu Jahl.
V.C. Bodley writes in his book “The Messenger –The Life of
Mohammed” (pub. New York,
1946):
“Abu Jahl’s monomania
about Mohammad had remained at
boiling point. He
kept raiding parties continually on the move,
attacking any
isolated parties of Moslems which could be ambushed.
He made forays into
the suburbs of Medina
and damaged crops and
gardens. He let
Mohammed see that his feelings had not changed,
that his intentions
were still murderous”.
Allah gives ample time and opportunities to the people in
power (and the forces of evil) to rectify the situation of injustice and
transgression. And when they do nothing, the Almighty takes things in His hand.
ٱلَّذِينَ
أُخْرِجُواْ مِن دِيَارِهِم بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ إِلاَّ أَن يَقُولُواْ رَبُّنَا
ٱللَّهُ
وَلَوْلاَ دَفْعُ ٱللَّهِ
ٱلنَّاسَ بَعْضَهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ لَّهُدِّمَتْ صَوَامِعُ وَبِيَعٌ
وَصَلَوَاتٌ
وَمَسَاجِدُ يُذْكَرُ فِيهَا ٱسمُ ٱللَّهِ كَثِيراً
وَلَيَنصُرَنَّ
ٱللَّهُ مَن يَنصُرُهُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ
“(They are) those who have been expelled from their
homes
in defiance of right, (for no cause)
except that they say,
"our Lord is Allah". Had not
Allah checked one set of people
by means of another, there would surely
have been pulled down
monasteries, churches, synagogues, and
mosques, in which the
name of Allah is commemorated in abundant
measure. Allah will
certainly aid those who aid his (cause);
for verily Allah is full
of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to
enforce His Will).
(al-Quran 22:40)
A few days before Ramadan, reports reached Madinah that a
trade caravan of Quraish was returning to Makkah from Syria. The
caravan was carrying not only merchandise but also weapons. It was estimated
that the caravan had made a profit of 50,000 Dinars (pieces of gold). The
weapons and the huge amount of money were to be used to equip an army to fight
against Muslims. The caravan was led by Abu Soufyan, a Makkan stalwart and
staunch enemy of Muslims at that time.
Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), after consultation with his
companions, decided to intercept the caravan. He appointed Abu Lababa as
Governor of Madinah, and left the city for Badr, a village in the south-west of Madinah.
It was 8th of Ramadan. Scholars differ about their exact number
(ranging from 305 to 319) but most of them agree on 313. About 80-90 of them
were from Makkah (‘Muhajireen’) and the rest were ‘Ansar’ (locals) of Madinah. They
settled and took up position in a valley which was known for its water wells.
Muslims took control of a strategic well/water reservoir and blocked off some
other wells. The enemy had to cross the valley, in front of Muslims, to reach
the water wells.
The poor Muslims had no clue that they would never see the
Quraish caravan, but instead have an encounter with 1000-strong Quraish army of
Makkah.
Here’s a look at the background: Muhajireen (refugees or emigrants)
were actually the victims of aggression and oppression; and were expelled by
the Quraish leaders of Makkah. They were also forced to leave behind family
members, their homes, properties and cattle/camel herds. They arrived in
Madinah empty-handed. The Makkans confiscated their properties and cattle/camel
herds. On top of it, Muslims were not allowed to fight back (in the beginning).
They were very angry. They suffered the worst kind of persecution at the hands
of Quraish of Makkah for 13 long years.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ
يُدَافِعُ عَنِ ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُوۤاْ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لاَ يُحِبُّ كُلَّ خَوَّانٍ
كَفُورٍ
أُذِنَ لِلَّذِينَ
يُقَاتَلُونَ بِأَنَّهُمْ ظُلِمُواْ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ نَصْرِهِمْ لَقَدِيرٌ
“Verily Allah will defend (from ill) those who
believe.
Verily, Allah loves not any that is a
traitor to faith,
or show ingratitude to those against whom
war is made,
permission is given (to fight), because
they are wronged;
and verily, Allah is most powerful for
their aid.”
(al-Quran 22:38-39)
Eventually, when Allah’s permission came and Prophet
Muhammad (s.a.w.) told them that they were allowed to fight back, they were
looking for an opportunity to recover their losses. But Allah had a different
plan for them.
Abu Soufyan somehow got the information about this ambush
and changed the route (via Yanbu, bypassing Madinah/Badr). At the same time he
sent a message to Makkan leaders to come to his rescue. The Quraish leaders of
Makkah got furious and decided to teach Muslims a lesson. They sent an army of
1000 fighters to eliminate Muslims. They were equipped with war gear, 100
horses, 700 camels laden with war material and other supplies; and bands of
chanters/drum-beaters.
Muslims, on the other hand, were not prepared for any armed
confrontation as they did not have the means for it. The 313-men contingent had
only two horses and 70 camels and little or no war equipment. Some of them had
swords but no shields. To reach the valley near Badr, they had to walk or share
the ride by two or three.
When the Quraish army reached Badr, they received a message
from Abu Soufyan that the caravan had safely passed the region, therefore, they
could return to Makkah. Abu Jahl was an arrogant leader of the Quraish. He
refused to return to Makkah without victory. Later, Abu Soufyan and others from
the caravan also joined Abu Jahl. They sensed an easy victory with 3-to-1
equation. They wanted to return to Makkah as war heroes. But it was not meant
to be!
A Muslim patrol party captured a waterman who confessed that
he was one of the group supplying water to the Makkan army. It was a shocking
news. When Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) heard that the Quraish of Makkah had
dispatched an army of 1000 men and they were just on the other side of the
hill, he got worried and called a meeting to decide what to do next. Here’s how
the companions of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) expressed their feelings:
Al-Miqdaad Ibn Al-Aswad, one of the Muhajireen, said: “O
Messenger of Allah! March on as Allah guides you, and we are with you. I swear
by Allah! We will not say to you as Banu Israel (Children of Israel) said to
Prophet Moses: ‘Go, you and your Lord, and fight them and we will sit here’.
Rather, we say to you: Go, you and your Lord, to fight and we will all fight
along with you. I swear by the One Who sent you with the Truth, that if you
order us, we will follow you to the end of the earth and fight alongside you
until your goal is achieved.”
Here’s the verse of the Quran Al-Miqdaad quoted:
قَالُواْ يَامُوسَىۤ
إِنَّا لَنْ نَّدْخُلَهَآ أَبَداً مَّا دَامُواْ فِيهَا
فَٱذْهَبْ أَنتَ
وَرَبُّكَ فَقَاتِلاۤ إِنَّا هَاهُنَا قَاعِدُونَ
“They
said: "O Moses! As long as they are in it, we
will never enter (the land). So, go you
and your Lord,
and fight you two, while we will sit here
(and watch)."
(al-Quran
5:24)
According to Sahih Bukhari, Ibn Masood (r.a.a.) said:
“I was a witness to something that Al-Miqdaad Ibn Al-Aswad
did, that I would like more than anything else, to have been the one who did
it. Al-Miqdaad came to the Prophet (s.a.w.) while he was supplicating to Allah,
and said: ‘We will not say as the people of Musa (Moses) said (Go, you and your
Lord, and fight you two …). Rather, we will fight to your right, and to your
left, and in front of you, and behind you’. Ibn Masood (r.a.a.) narrated: I saw
the Prophet (s.a.w.)’s face beaming with pleasure, because of what Al-Miqdaad
said to him.”
After this, Saad Ibn Mu’adh of the Ansaar, perceiving that
the Prophet (s.a.w.) wanted to hear explicitly from the Ansaar, spoke and said:
“We have believed in you and regard you as the true
Messenger of Allah, and bear witness that what you have been given is the
Truth. And on this, we have given you our binding promise, to hear and obey. March
on as you desire and we are with you! I swear by Him Who has sent you with the
Truth, if you ask us to wade through the ocean, we will wade through with you,
and not one of us will stay behind. We will be perfectly content with whatever
may happen to us tomorrow, at the hands of our enemies, for surely, we are
patient in war, fierce in battle, and truthful in our company. Perhaps Allah
will show you from us what will please you. Therefore, by the grace of Allah,
march on with us.”
And thus, the stage was set for the first major battle with
the unbelievers (Kaafireen).
Muslims were a little worried and the Prophet (s.a.w.) kept
invoking Allah. Later, he addressed them and while giving glad tiding of a
victory, said:
“Allah has promised you one of the two, either the caravan
or the army”.
وَإِذْ يَعِدُكُمُ
ٱللَّهُ إِحْدَى ٱلطَّائِفَتِيْنِ أَنَّهَا لَكُمْ وَتَوَدُّونَ
أَنَّ غَيْرَ ذَاتِ
ٱلشَّوْكَةِ تَكُونُ لَكُمْ وَيُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ أَن يُحِقَّ الحَقَّ
بِكَلِمَاتِهِ
وَيَقْطَعَ دَابِرَ ٱلْكَافِرِينَ
“Behold! Allah promised you one of the two
(enemy) parties,
that it should be yours. You wished that
the one unarmed
should be yours, but Allah willed to
justify the Truth according
to His words and to cut off the roots of
the unbelievers.”
(al-Quran 8:7)
Subhan-Allah!
That’s how Allah works! The poor Muslims wanted to capture the trade caravan
with its expensive merchandise and other goods; and camels/horses; and be
content with it. This was referred to in the Quran as the ‘unarmed party’ of
the enemy. The other party was ‘armed’ – the army of the Quraish of Makkah –
which Muslims could not even dream of facing at that stage and level, let alone
capturing or conquering it! Makkans were considered the richest and the
strongest people in the region. But Allah wanted to justify the Truth,
therefore, He created the circumstances too.
إِن تَسْتَفْتِحُواْ
فَقَدْ جَآءَكُمُ ٱلْفَتْحُ وَإِن تَنتَهُواْ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ
وَإِن تَعُودُواْ
نَعُدْ وَلَن تُغْنِىَ عَنْكُمْ فِئَتُكُمْ شَيْئاً وَلَوْ كَثُرَتْ
وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ
ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
“(O Unbelievers!) if you prayed for victory and
judgment,
now has the judgment come to you: If you
desist (from wrong),
it will be best for you; if you return (to
the attack), so shall We.
Not the least good will your forces be to
you, even if they were
Multiplied; for verily, Allah is with
those who believe!”
(al-Quran 8:19)
لِيُحِقَّ ٱلْحَقَّ
وَيُبْطِلَ ٱلْبَاطِلَ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ
“That He might justify Truth and prove Falsehood
false,
distasteful though it be to those in
guilt.”
(al-Quran 8:8)
On the night before the battle, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)
made a very long and intense supplication (‘dua’) to Allah. He was praying
under a tree, crying until the sun rose. He was standing up, raising his hands toward
heavens. Some of the words he uttered:
“O Allah! I invoke You
for Your promise of victory.
Here come Quraish
full of vanity and pride. They
oppose You and call
Your Messenger a liar. O Allah!
If you decide that we
be defeated today, and if this little
band of your
believers perishes today, there would be
none left in the land
to worship you!”
At that particular time, those 300-plus people were the only
Muslims on the face of the earth and in the case of a defeat, they would be
wiped out. When Abu Bakr (r.a.a.) saw this, he came to console the Prophet
(s.a.w.). He held the Prophet (s.a.w.)’s hand in his hand and said: “That’s
enough! Allah will certainly fulfill His promise He made to you.” And the
Prophet (s.a.w.) then went back to his tent and slept. Allah reminds us in the
Holy Quran:
إِذْ يُغَشِّيكُمُ
ٱلنُّعَاسَ أَمَنَةً مِّنْهُ وَيُنَزِّلُ عَلَيْكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ
مَآءً
لِّيُطَهِّرَكُمْ بِهِ وَيُذْهِبَ عَنكُمْ رِجْزَ ٱلشَّيْطَانِ
وَلِيَرْبِطَ عَلَىٰ
قُلُوبِكُمْ وَيُثَبِّتَ بِهِ ٱلأَقْدَامَ
“Remember He covered you with a sort of drowsiness,
to give you calm as from Himself, and he
caused rain to
descend on you from heaven, to clean you
therewith, to
remove from you the stain of Satan, to
strengthen your
hearts, and to plant your feet firmly
therewith.”
(al-Quran 8:11)
إِذْ يُوحِى رَبُّكَ
إِلَى ٱلْمَلاۤئِكَةِ أَنِّى مَعَكُمْ فَثَبِّتُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ
سَأُلْقِى فِى
قُلُوبِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ ٱلرُّعْبَ فَٱضْرِبُواْ فَوْقَ ٱلأَعْنَاقِ
وَٱضْرِبُواْ
مِنْهُمْ كُلَّ بَنَانٍ
“Remember your Lord inspired the angels (with
the message):
"I am with you. Give firmness to the
Believers! I will instill
terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers;
smite you above
their necks and smite all their
finger-tips off them."
(al-Quran 8:12)
Allah’s re-assurance came and Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) felt
the contentment and peace, satisfaction and confidence to stand up to the
challenge facing them. His prayers were answered right then and there.
إِذْ تَسْتَغِيثُونَ
رَبَّكُمْ فَٱسْتَجَابَ لَكُمْ أَنِّى مُمِدُّكُمْ
بِأَلْفٍ مِّنَ
ٱلْمَلاۤئِكَةِ مُرْدِفِينَ
“Remember you implored the assistance of your
Lord,
and He answered you: "I will assist
you with a thousand
of the angels, ranks on ranks."
(al-Quran 8:9)
After some time, the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) came out of
the tent smiling and said:
‘O Abu Bakr! Rejoice with the victory of Allah!’ And he left
while reciting the following verse of the Holy Quran:
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ
نَحْنُ جَمِيعٌ مُّنتَصِرٌ
سَيُهْزَمُ ٱلْجَمْعُ
وَيُوَلُّونَ ٱلدُّبُرَ
”Or do they say: We are acting together
victoriously?
Soon will their multitude be put to flight,
and they will show their backs.”
(al-Quran 54:44-45)
The Quraish leaders and soldiers were very arrogant and
boastful of their might and big number. Satan (Devil) was also on their side,
alluring and encouraging them. But again, Allah is the best of planners and His
promise never fails.
وَإِذْ زَيَّنَ
لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَانُ أَعْمَالَهُمْ وَقَالَ لاَ غَالِبَ لَكُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ
مِنَ ٱلنَّاسِ
وَإِنِّى جَارٌ لَّكُمْ فَلَمَّا تَرَآءَتِ ٱلْفِئَتَانِ نَكَصَ عَلَىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ
وَقَالَ إِنِّى
بَرِيۤءٌ مِّنْكُمْ إِنِّيۤ أَرَىٰ مَا لاَ تَرَوْنَ إِنِّيۤ أَخَافُ ٱللَّهَ
وَٱللَّهُ شَدِيدُ
ٱلْعِقَابِ
“Remember Satan made their (sinful) acts seem
alluring
to them, and said: "No one among men
can overcome you
this day, while I am near to you".
But when the two forces
came in sight of each other, he turned on
his heels, and said:
"Lo! I am clear of you; lo! I see
what you see not. Lo!
I fear Allah; for Allah is strict in
punishment."
(al-Quran 8:48)
The night before the battle, while Muslims slept, a heavy
rain fell. On the morning of Friday, the 17th of Ramadan, 2 A.H., the two armies advanced
and drew closer to each other. The rain had been heavier on the side of
Quraish, making the ground soft and movement difficult. On the side of Muslims,
however, the rain had packed the sand down hard, making it easy for them to
march.
In the morning, after having examined the ranks, the Prophet
(s.a.w.) then went to a shelter made of palm branches from which he could
command the battle. Abu Bakr stayed with him, while Saad Bin Mu’adh, with
several of the Ansaar, stood outside guarding the hut.
The battle started in the Arab tradition with the big warriors
of Quraish, like Walid Ibn Utba, Utba Ibn Rabia, and Shaiba, coming out and challenging
the opposition for duals. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) sent his uncle Hamza
(r.a.a.), his cousin Ali (r.a.a.) and his companion Ubaida (r.a.a.) to fight
the star warriors of Quraish; and they killed the Quraish heroes sending terror
wave in the ranks of the Makkans. Ubaida (r.a.a.) was fatally wounded though
and died later (being the first martyr of Badr). Then the troops attacked each
other in regular fighting. By noon, the battle was over as Makkans fled the
scene leaving dead bodies and material behind.
The battle of Badr claimed some big heads of the Quraish of
Makkah; the most important among them was Abu Jahl, his brother and his son.
Abu Jahl was considered as ‘Pharaoh for Muslim Ummah’. Umayyah Ibn Khalaf was
another big notable killed in Badr. According to one narration, he was killed
by his own ex-slave Bilal (r.a.a.). Abu Soufyan survived and returned to Makkah
to prepare for another war. In total 70 Makkan fighters were killed and another
70 captured as prisoners of war.
 |
| (City of Badr today with graves of the martyrs of Badr) |
On the other hand, from among the Muslims, 14 people were
martyred. Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) and his contingent returned to Madinah, a
week before the end of Ramadan, glorifying and thanking the Merciful Lord for
His help at Badr.
فَلَمْ تَقْتُلُوهُمْ
وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَتَلَهُمْ وَمَا رَمَيْتَ إِذْ رَمَيْتَ
وَلَـٰكِنَّ ٱللَّهَ
رَمَىٰ وَلِيُبْلِىَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ مِنْهُ بَلاۤءً حَسَناً
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ
سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
“It is not you who slew them; it was Allah. When
you threw (a handful of dust), it was not your
act,
but Allah's, in order that He might test
the believers
by a gracious trial from Himself, for
Allah is He
Who hears and knows (all things).”
(al-Quran 8:17)
Allah reminds the
believers of the events at Badr in the Holy Quran, Surah (Chapter) Aal-e-Imran,
verses 121-125, in
case we forget:
وَإِذْ غَدَوْتَ مِنْ أَهْلِكَ
تُبَوِّىءُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَقَاعِدَ لِلْقِتَالِ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
إِذْ هَمَّتْ طَّآئِفَتَانِ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ
تَفْشَلاَ وَٱللَّهُ وَلِيُّهُمَا وَعَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَلْيَتَوَكَّلِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ
وَلَقَدْ نَصَرَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ بِبَدْرٍ
وَأَنْتُمْ أَذِلَّةٌ فَٱتَّقُواْ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
إِذْ تَقُولُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَلَنْ
يَكْفِيَكُمْ أَنْ يُمِدَّكُمْ رَبُّكُمْ بِثَلاَثَةِ آلاَفٍ مِّنَ ٱلْمَلاۤئِكَةِ
مُنزَلِينَ
بَلَىۤ إِن تَصْبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ
وَيَأْتُوكُمْ مِّنْ فَوْرِهِمْ هَـٰذَا يُمْدِدْكُمْ رَبُّكُمْ
بِخَمْسَةِ آلاۤفٍ مِّنَ ٱلْمَلاۤئِكَةِ
مُسَوِّمِينَ
“Remember that morning you did leave your
household
(early) to post the faithful at their
stations for battle. And
Allah hears and knows all things. Remember two of your
parties meditated cowardice; but Allah was
their protector,
and in Allah should the faithful (ever)
put their trust.
Allah had helped you at Badr, when you
were a contemptible
little force; then fear Allah; thus may
you show your gratitude.
Remember you said to the Faithful:
"Is it not enough for you
that Allah should help you with three
thousand angels
(specially) sent down? Yea,
if you remain firm, and act
right, 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.”
(al-Quran 3:121-125)
This was the first major encounter between Muslims and the
Makkans. So, the Prophet (s.a.w.) consulted his companions on the subject of
‘prisoners of war’. There were all kinds of suggestions based on different
sentiments. Abu Bakr suggested to pardon them and accept ransom for their
release. In the end, the Prophet (s.a.w.) announced: “We will ransom the
prisoners”.
According to some narrations, they were given the choice to
accept Islam and win freedom; or to teach 10 Muslims ‘how to read and write’
and win freedom. Otherwise, the ransom amount was fixed at 400 Dirhams per
prisoner.
Like many other ‘Firsts’ of the history of mankind, Badr
also set the first example of the treatment of prisoners of war. Their lives
were spared; they were treated humanely; they were provided with shelter and
fed properly, even when some Muslims did not have food to eat and survived on
dates and water.
Sir William Muir, the famous British orientalist, known for
his hostility towards Islam and Muslims, wrote:
“In pursuance of
Mahomet’s commands, the citizens of
Medina and such of the emigrants who
possessed houses,
received the
prisoners and treated them with much
consideration.
‘Blessings be on the men of Medina’,
said one of these
prisoners in the later days, ‘they made
us ride while they
themselves walked. They gave us
wheaten bread to eat
when there was little of it,
contenting themselves
with dates’.”
The Battle of Badr is a
constant reminder to the Muslims that if they fear Allah, the way Allah should
be feared; and if they obey Allah and His Prophet (s.a.w.), the way they should
be obeyed, Allah’s help is guaranteed! Shouldn’t we be then grateful?
وَٱذْكُرُوۤاْ إِذْ
أَنتُمْ قَلِيلٌ مُّسْتَضْعَفُونَ فِى ٱلأَرْضِ تَخَافُونَ
أَن يَتَخَطَّفَكُمُ
ٱلنَّاسُ فَآوَاكُمْ وَأَيَّدَكُم بِنَصْرِهِ وَرَزَقَكُمْ
مِّنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَاتِ
لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
“Call to mind when you were a small (band),
despised
through the land, and afraid that men might despoil and
kidnap you. But He provided a safe asylum for you,
strengthened you with His aid, and gave you Good
things
for sustenance: that you might be grateful.”
(al-Quran 8:26)
{From my book ‘The Way (Sunnah)
of The Prophet (s.a.w.)’, chapter: ‘Muhammad (s.a.w.) At War’}
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