The battle of Badr
- Updated On Saturday, 21 June 2014
- Written by Allamah Qurashi
- Editor Faisal Shaheen
- Supervisor Sayyed Roohullah Musavi
- Published on Wednesday, 07 May 2014
- Hits: 559 views
- Hits: What led to the battle of Badr and what was the outcome?
It so happened that a great trading caravan of Abu Sufyan set out for Sham from Mecca with seventy men from Quraysh. After buying all of the goods needed, the caravan set back towards Mecca. When the Prophet (a.s.) , waiting for an opportunity to weaken the economic abilities of the Quraysh, came to know of this caravan he said to his companions: "Here are the camels (caravan) of Quraysh, get out for them that may Allah make you possess them."1 Abu Sufyan came to know about this plan and feared that an attack would result in the killing of his young men with him and the confiscation of their goods. In response, Abu Sufyan sought the help of Quraysh to protect him and the goods with him. The Quraysh feared for their monies and for their chief so they hurried to support Abu Sufyan and protect their trade. The Prophet (a.s.) with his three hundred and five companions, who were armed with faith, set out from Medina on the eighth of Ramadan in the second year of Hijra. They did not have enough weapons or equipment. They were supported by seventy camels only that every second, third or fourth warrior rode a camel alternately. Upon knowing that Quraysh had come to defend their chief and trade, the Prophet (a.s.) consulted with his companions. They showed courage and with epic speeches before him manifested their readiness and determination. The fight began on Friday morning, the seventeenth of Ramadan in the second year of Hijrah (15th of January, 624 AD). The two armies clashed; the Prophet's companions strove to Support Allah, His messenger, and the Word of Islam, whereas the men of Quraysh struggled to support their idols and ignorance. However, Allah cast terror and fear in the hearts of the men of Quraysh and the Muslims' swords began harvesting their heads one after the other. Allah granted the great victory in this battle to His messenger; honored him and degraded his enemies. Allah made their bodies scatter here and there in the battlefield surrounded by curse and lasting disgrace. Most of the men of Quraysh, who were killed in this battle, were killed by the sword of Imam Ali (a.s.) who killed more than thirty-four men from the heroes and most famous of warriors of Mecca. Seventy men from Quraysh were taken prisoners, some of whom were set free after paying a ransom offour thousand dirhams. The Prophet (a.s.) ordered those, who could not pay the ransom and who knew writing and reading, to teach the children of Muslims writing and reading The Prophet (a.s.) ordered his companions to be kind to the prisoners and to treat them very well. The results of battle The battle of Badr generated very important results to Muslims. 1. The prevalence of Islam After the battle of Badr, Islam prevailed and the Muslims became much more powerful both morally and materially. Through this battle, Allah had given a great victory to the Prophet (a.s.) and his followers, honored his religion, degraded his enemies, and defeated his opponents. This battle was the mother of victories that encouraged Muslims to face future battles courageously and enter into the severest of wars that their enemies waged against them. 2. The fear of Quraysh The victory of the Muslims in the battle of Badr released a wave of fear and terror in the hearts of the people of Quraysh and the polytheists of the Arabs. 3. The delight of Muslims and the sorrow of Quraysh On the other hand, the Muslims were joyful and delighted by this great victory. In this battle Allah affirmed their religion and disgraced their enemies. Quraysh felt great sorrow for the great loss in men and in properties. Note: 1 As spoils of war after fighting the polytheists in the caravan.