Submission by: Islamic Unification Movement <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Topic: The Battle of Badr
************
Text:
The Battle of Badr
also known as �The Day of Distinguishing� [anfal 8: 41]
[The battle distinguished between the faithful and the disbelievers]
Allah says, �Behold! Allah promised you one of the two [enemy] parties,
that it should be yours. You wished that the one unarmed [caravan] should
be yours, but Allah willed to justify the Truth according to His words and
to cut off the roots of the unbelievers.
� distasteful though it may be to those in guilt.� [anfal 8: 7-8]
�When panic overtook us, the Prophet [s] commanded us to be united, to
have patience and perseverance, and to be so when we fought.�
[reported by Samurah b. Jundub in abu dawud vol. 2 h# 2554]
How it began
After much persecution, when the Muslims left Makkah for Madinah [hijrah],
they left behind everything, taking with them only their Faith. The pagan
Quraysh of Makkah, however, took possession of all their belongings.
While in Madinah, many successful attempts were made at waylaying caravans,
which passed from the East or West of Madinah. The Prophet [s] considered
these as a good opportunity to make up for their stolen belongings.
In the month of Ramadan in 2H, the Prophet [s] heard that Abu Sufyan ibn
Harb, who was extremely hostile to Islam, was going from Syria to Makkah
with a large trading caravan of Quraysh full of merchandise. Abu Sufyan, on
hearing of the caravan attack planned by the Prophet [s], sent for help
from the Quraysh, who prepared themselves and set off.
The real war
Abu Sufyan took the coastal route to Makkah but was too late in informing
the Quraysh of his safety so that they could return to Makkah. The caravan
had gone and the pagan army was getting nearer. When it became certain that
war between the pagan Quraysh and the Muslims could not be avoided any
longer, the Prophet [s], unaware that the caravan had been missed,
consulted the Muslims if they were willing to fight.
The response that he [s] got from the emigrants was that of unmatched
willingness. Al-Miqdad in all his enthusiasm said,
�We will not say as the people of Musa [pbuh] said, �So go you and your
Lord and fight you two.� [maidah 5: 24] But we shall fight on your right
and on your left and in front of you and behind you.� This so delighted
the Prophet [s].
[bukhari vol. 5 h# 3952]
The Prophet [s] was however worried about the readiness of the Helpers.
This was because their original homage included the condition that they
would only defend him in their home territory. Now that they were outside
Madinah, he was unsure.
Saad ibn Ubada, a Helper, said, �Messenger of Allah, By God in whose
control is my life, if you order us to plunge our horses into the sea, we
would do so. If you order us to goad our horses in the most distant place
like Bark al � Ghimad, we would do so.� [muslim vol. 3 h# 4394]
This reassured the Prophet [s], but he [s] was still convinced that there
would be no war.
The caravan of Abu Sufyan, it later proved, was just an excuse for a war
between the Muslims and the pagan Quraysh. Allah gave the permission to
fight, and the Muslims were united in it as never before.
Allah loved the enthusiasm displayed by the Muslims, cherished their
willingness, and adored their unity. It was because of this love that Allah
said,
�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. Nevertheless, Allah does
support with His aid whom He pleases. In this is a warning for such as have
eyes to see.� [aal � Imran 3: 13]
Only three hundred and thirteen Muslims against over a thousand
disbelievers! It seemed impossible for such a small and ill-equipped Muslim
army to defeat the large well-trained Makkan force. But the firmness, zeal,
and discipline which the Muslims displayed won them divine aid. The enemy
prisoners stated that the enemy ranks saw the Muslim force to be larger
than it was.
Allah says, �Allah had helped you at Badr when you were a contemptible
little force. Then fear Allah, thus may You show your gratitude.�
[aal � Imran 3: 123]
This was not the only kind of help that the Muslims received from Allah.
Allah says, �I will help you with a thousand angels, each behind the
other [following one another] in success.� [anfal 8: 9]
Allah says, �[remember] when your Lord revealed to the Angels, "Verily,
I�m with you, so keep firm those who have believed. I will cast terror
into the hearts of those who have disbelieved, so strike them over the
necks, and smite over all their fingers and toes. [anfal 8: 12]
The Muslim army had only a few horses and a small quantity of armor, but
they were full of faith, courage, valor, and determination. They responded
to the Makkan army with unmatched bravery. They repelled the Makkan army
and the Makkan army was defeated.
The Muslims, although were grouped into Helpers and Emigrants, never
considered themselves other than one body. When Utbah ibn Rabiah of the
Pagan Makkans came forward to initiate the fight � some young men of the
Helpers responded to his call, although the Makkans were expecting the
Emigrants alone.
The unity of the Emigrants and the Helpers resulted in the deaths of Utbah,
Shaybah, Umayyah ibn Khalaf and the staunchest enemy of Islam � Abu Jahl.
Seventy Quraysh were killed in all their pride.
Abu Jahl�s enmity toward Islam and did not even humble him at death.
Narrated Abdullah that he came across Abu Jahl when he was on the point of
death on the day of the battle of Badr. Abu Jahl said, �You should not be
proud that you have killed me nor am I ashamed of being killed by my own
folk. [bukhari vol 6 h# 3961]
The Battle of Badr decided the course of future history of the Muslims and
left behind a major lesson in strength, achieved through unity.
_________________________________________
OneUmmah Network
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Homepage: http://www.OneUmmah.Net
Free E-mail Service: http://mail.1ummah.net
Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
e-mail entire list: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
The views expressed on One Ummah Information do
not necessarily coincide with the views of One Ummah
Network, with the Islamic Unification Movement, or its
supporters. All the works presented by this service are
properties of their authors unless otherwise stated.
__________________________________________
