Battle of Badr

               The Muhajir in Medina had become economically weak having left their properties and business behind in Mecca. They were not farmers and found it difficult to adapt to life in Medina which was basically a farming community. They were dependent on their brothers in faith – the Ansar, for all their needs and this was not very easy. There was a sense of disquiet and impatience amongst them. 

                To compensate this, the Prophet (pbuh) encouraged them to raid the Quraysh caravans that passed by Medina to reach Mecca. These raids were called ‘ghazua’ and were a common practice amongst the Arabs as a way of ensuring that wealth in the desert was more equitably distributed. As such, trading caravans were often challenged and if the merchants were not able to defend their properties the raiding parties helped themselves to the goods which were shared among the raiders’ tribe members.  It may seem barbaric to us in this day and age, but one needs to only imagine the harsh and hostile environment of the desert to understand that it was about survival – the survival of the shrewdest in the true sense of the word.

             The ghazua gave the Muhajir an opportunity to make themselves useful and also to retaliate for the offensive behaviour of the Quraysh against them in Mecca. These frequent forays into the neighbouring areas gave them a good idea about the terrain and soon they had become quite familiar with the routes taken by the passing caravans. There were frequent skirmishes with the Quraysh which did not amount to much in terms of returns, but were successful in annoying the Quraysh who resented the daring of the Muslims. Abu Jahl sent threatening letters to the Prophet (as) in response to these attacks. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)  recognised that this aggression had to be addressed now.

            And so it was, that in March of  624 AD, the Ramadan of 2^nd AH, a large caravan lead by Abu Sufyan, passing  by Medina, became the target of watchful Muslims. The caravan was returning from Syria, laden with weapons and armour meant to be used against the Muslims. It was time to act. 313 men, led by the Prophet (pbuh) himself, rode out to intercept the caravan. The gains would be substantial if they could over power Abu Sufyan and his relatively small band of traders. Being an experienced caravan leader, however, Abu Sufyan got wind of the Muslims’ plan by questioning the neighbouring villagers. He immediately turned the caravan towards the Red Sea and sent off a messenger to Mecca asking for immediate reinforcements, while he took a longer route home himself. When news reached Mecca, the Quraysh were outraged – did the Muslims think they could get away with raiding the biggest Quraysh caravan? All the leading men prepared for battle – tempers were running high. That very evening about a 1000 strong marched towards Medina. They were going to annihilate overconfident upstarts, they thought.

               On the outskirts of Medina, the Prophet (pbuh) and his men were caught off guard – they had not set out for an all-out battle yet the situation now seemed to be calling for a full-fledged military attack. Should they meet the challenge? Should they retreat? The Prophet (pbuh) called the Muslims together, the situation had changed – everything was far more serious. Did they want to return? No! Was the unanimous response. They would stay. They would fight – if that was what the Prophet (pbuh) wanted. This was a test of their faith.

              Looking at the situation from the outside, this battle was going to be decisive. If the Muslims lost they would have lost faith in their newly acquired Deen – Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was well aware of this. He prayed for help – and Allah (swt) answered. When the Quraysh sent a spy to assess the strength of the Muslim army he returned saying ‘the camels of Yathrib are laden with death’. So confident and prepared had the Muslims appeared to him.

               Examining this small band of Muslims it is worth the while noting that their strength came from their sincerity and obedience of the Prophet (pbuh). There was purity of thought and action. They had been patient, taking on the challenges and hardships of accepting this new faith. Many had been separated from their families, had left their homes and property behind, and had accepted a life of fewer means. They had been patient. And now they were obedient and ready to follow Muhammad’s (as) lead. And Allah (swt) was ready too – ready to reward them for their patience. When they marched forward in absolute faith He empowered them with the ability to fill the enemies’ hearts with fear. There are references to this in the Quran:

Al Imran: 13

 Indeed there was a sign for you in the two hosts (which) met together in encounter; one party fighting in the way of Allah and the other unbelieving, whom they saw twice as many as themselves with the sight of the eye and Allah strengthens with His aid whom He pleases; most surely there is a lesson in this for those who have sight.

To the enemy, their small army looked far larger than it was and it filled them with despair. He strengthened the Muslims because they had made themselves worthy of His aid. And Allah (swt) gives everyone their due. They had made themselves deserving of His help and support.

Al Imran:123

 And Allah did certainly assist you at Badr when you were weak; be careful of (your duty to) Allah then, that you may give thanks.

            A reminder to remain clear-visioned and appreciative of Allah’s Mercy and Support. In a moment of success it is very easy to get carried away on a cloud of self-consequence – it pays to constantly remember that we are helpless before His Might and His Will.

            Moving on then, the battle began with one to one combats. Imam Ali (as), Hazrat Hamza, and Ubaida ibn al Harith,  went forwards from the Muslims’s camp; and Utba, his son Walid ibne Utba, and Shayba came forward and were all killed before the battle began in earnest. The Quraysh who had come with surety that they would be victorious, were unpleasantly surprised and shocked. The Muslim army was disciplined and controlled and soon the Quraysh found themselves routed; they retreated in disarray leaving 70 dead. 70 more surrendered and were rounded up as prisoners. As was the Arab practice they were to be killed but a revelation prevented this: they were to be ransomed. Those who were squabbling over the booty were also stopped – 150 camels, 17 horses, weapons and a pile of armour were fairly divided among all. All within one day! This was indeed a great triumph.

               The Muslims returned victorious and jubilant. Their welcome in Medina was ecstatic – they had made their presence felt – all of Arabia would now recognise them as a formidable force. There was a sobering reflection though: this victory, Allah (swt) said, was His (swt).

Sura Anfal

You did not kill them; rather, it was Allah who killed them; and you did not throw when you threw, rather, it was Allah who threw, that He might test the faithful with a good test from Himself. Indeed Allah is all-hearing, all-knowing. (17)

There are a couple of things to take away from this Ayat. First of all – we must constantly remind ourselves that unless Allah (swt) wills for something to happen it will not – so it is important to recognise that when there is any kind of success it actually belongs to Him. This attitude prevents one from falling into the folly of arrogance. Satisfying as it may seem, we must never forget that there is a big problem with arrogance: it blinds us to reality and leads to a fall. When we become over confident with arrogance then we are more liable to make mistakes. Secondly - and this is really beautiful - when you are absolutely sincere in your actions then your actions become Allah’s own actions – and you become His instrument, His vehicle executing His command on earth. Subhanallah! What can be more satisfying than becoming the tool of His machination?  

A further significant point to be made here is that the emphasis was on patience: patience, by doing the right thing in all situations, patience, by not losing control and patience, by not acting without thought. The following ayat makes this explicit.

Sura Anfal:

O Prophet! Urge on the faithful to fight: If there be twenty patient men among you, they shall overcome two hundred; and if there be a hundred of you, they shall overcome a thousand of the faithless, for they are a lot who do not understand. (65)

This ayat reveals a greater understanding of Patience. Patience means action when the time is right, patience also means inaction when time demands. Patience is remaining silent to prevent shar, patience is speaking  up to uphold justice. Patience is recognising one’s insignificance in Allah’s realm, patience is also knowing one’s worth in His Great Plan. In a nutshell – patience is walking that tight rope where excess on either side might lead to a fall.