Ramadan is a month that brings out the finest attributes of a Muslim—most notably patience, unwavering trust in Allah, and sheer determination. During these days, believers willingly abandon what is otherwise permissible for the sake of their Creator, fueled by a unique blend of faith and inner strength. It is, therefore, no surprise that Ramadan has historically been a season of triumph, marked by some of the greatest victories in Islamic history. These milestones were crucial in establishing the Islamic Ummah, with the Great Battle of Badr standing as a magnificent testament to this enduring spirit. The Day of the Battle of Badr is also called the Day of Criterion, as stated in the Noble Qur’an. On that day, Allah the Exalted distinguished between truth and falsehood. Allah said in Surah Al-Anfal, Ayah 41; ”And know that anything you obtain of war booty – then indeed, for Allah is one fifth of it and for the Messenger and for [his] near relatives and the orphans, the needy, and the [stranded] traveler, if you have believed in Allah and in that which We sent down to Our Servant on the day of criterion – the day when the two armies met. And Allah, over all things, is competent.”
(وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّمَا غَنِمْتُم مِّن شَيْءٍ فَأَنَّ لِلَّهِ خُمُسَهُ وَلِلرَّسُولِ وَلِذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَالْيَتَامَىٰ وَالْمَسَاكِينِ وَابْنِ السَّبِيلِ إِن كُنتُمْ آمَنتُم بِاللَّهِ وَمَا أَنزَلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا يَوْمَ الْفُرْقَانِ يَوْمَ الْتَقَى الْجَمْعَانِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ).
Allah the Exalted distinguished between truth and falsehood, and in it, Islam and the Muslims were granted victory. The Battle of Badr took place on the morning of Monday, the 17th of Ramadan, 2 AH, in the area of Badr, which is a well-known water well located on the road between Makkah and Madinah.
Causes of the Battle of Badr
Following the divine permission for Muslims to migrate from Makkah to Madinah to escape relentless persecution, the struggle was far from over. The Quraysh tribe took advantage of this migration by seizing the wealth and property that the Muslims were forced to leave behind. The Prophet (ﷺ) learned that a Quraysh trade caravan, loaded with various goods and wealth, would pass near Madinah on its return to Makkah from Syria. So he set out in pursuit of it, but it had already passed ahead toward Syria. He then returned to Madinah, awaiting its return from Syria. When the news reached Abu Sufyan ibn Harb, he immediately commissioned Damdam ibn Amr Al-Ghifari to hasten to Makkah and rally Quraysh for assistance. Abu Sufyan ibn Harb altered the route of the caravan. In doing so, he saved it. He then sent word to Quraysh, informing them of its safety and advising them to return and avoid war. Despite the caravan’s escape, Abu Jahl remained defiant. Driven by arrogance, he insisted on proceeding to war, aiming to demonstrate Quraysh’s supremacy to all the tribes of the Arabian Peninsula.
The Decision for War
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) set out after reviewing his Companions, sending back those who were too young, such as Abdullah ibn Umar, Usama ibn Zayd, and others. He departed with approximately three hundred fighters. He appointed Ibn Umm Maktum to lead the people in prayer in Madinah and sent back Abu Lubaba ibn Abd Al-Mundhir from Al-Rawha, placing him in charge of the city. He entrusted the banner of the Muhajirun to Musab ibn Umayr, the banner of the Khazraj to Hubab ibn Al-Mundhir, and the banner of the Aws to Saad ibn Muadh. The Prophet (ﷺ) had two black flags, one of which was carried by Ali ibn Abi Talib. The Muslims possessed only two horses. While the Prophet (ﷺ) was on his way, he learned that Quraysh had marched out to confront him. He consulted his Companions. Al-Miqdad ibn Amr stood and spoke well. Abu Bakr and Umar ibn Al-Khattab also spoke and spoke well. Yet the Prophet (ﷺ) continued to seek counsel. Saad ibn Muadh perceived that the Ansar were being addressed by this consultation, so he rose and spoke eloquently. Among what he said was:
”Messenger of Allah, you want us (to speak). We believe in you, so we affirm your truthfulness, and we bear witness that what you have brought is the truth. We pledge our loyalty and our covenants to you in obedience and submission. So proceed, O Messenger of Allah, in whatever you intend. By Him Who sent you with the truth, if you were to lead us into this sea, we would wade through it with you; not a single man among us would lag, nor would we object to facing the enemy tomorrow. Indeed, we are steadfast in battle, truthful in encounter, and perhaps Allah will show you from us what will satisfy you. So advance with us, by the blessing of Allah.”
The Prophet (ﷺ) was pleased with the response and words of the Muhajirun and the Ansar, and he said: ”Proceed with the blessing of Allah and be of good cheer, for Allah has promised me one of the two parties.” The Muslims, under the leadership of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), numbered 313 men. They had only two horsemen: Al-Zubayr ibn ِl-Awwam and Al-Miqdad ibn ِAl-Aswad. The Quraysh polytheists, led by Abu Jahl, numbered approximately 950 men, including 100 horsemen.
The armies were now on the brink of confrontation at Badr. What began as a caravan pursuit had turned into a moment that would change the course of Islamic history.
To be continued in Part Two: The Battle of Badr
