The Battle of Badr

The Battle of Badr (Ghazwa Badr) was a key battle in the early days of Islam and a turning point in Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) struggle with his opponents. This battle has been passed down in Islamic history as a decisive victory. The victory at Badr was an important milestone in the establishment of Islam. It was even recorded in the Quran as a divine sanction of a religion. After prophet hood Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) continuously struggle for Islam for thirteen years during his mecca life before migration to madina They migrated because of the sever hostility of Meccan. The Muslims established a small independent state in madina that was the first independent state of a Muslims community. The Meccan to slay the prophet (PBUH). The situation is very unpleasant to Muslims because irritation and antagonism of non-Muslims were converted to dreadful and horrible revenge. The great three powers of that time Quraysh, Jews and hypocrites (Munafiqeen) had been assembled against the Muslims. They wanted ruins the Muslims and Islam. Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) therefore adopted different plans and strategies against the meccans. He established good relation through peace treaties with surrounding clans of madina and cut off the trade caravans of maccan that pass close to madina and blocked their trade route on other side.. 

In the middle of jamadi awwal   2 A.H (624 AD) a report was received to madina that a trade Caravan was going from Mecca to Syria under the leadership of Abu sufian. The holy Prophet (PBUH) decide to send two men to find out more facts about this Caravan .He told them to find out about its rout,  the number of Guards and as well as the nature of goods they  were carrying. The men reported that it was a big caravan of forty (40) men and lead by Abu sufian. The goods were loaded on 1,000 camels and were valued about 50,000 dinars.

The quraysh confiscated all the property of a persons who has migrated from Mecca to madina with prophet (PBUH) and therefore the holy Prophet (PBUH) decide to also seize the property of Meccan as compensation. The  Muslims pursued Abu sufyan but they could not reach him however the time of Return of the caravan was almost certain because the Quraysh always used to return from Syria to Mecca in the early autumn.

 The holy Prophet left madina and proceed towards the valley of Badr which is 80 miles away and awaited the return of the caravan. Abu Sufyan realized that the Muslims would wait for him at Badr which was a stopping place on the route to Mecca. So he sent in urgent message to Mecca for help. The Meccan immediately send out a large Army under the command of Abu Jahal to fight the Muslim at Badr. The holy Prophet (PBUH) was informed about the march of Meccan army.

Meanwhile Abu Sufyan decide to take a longer rout to back home and avoid Badr. Once he was reach safely to Mecca. He sent message to Abu Jahal to return but Abu Jahal was too proud to go back and wanted to crush the Muslim with his large Army.

The two Armies faced each other on 17 of Ramadan 2 A.H. The Muslim Army consists of 313 soldiers, having only two Horses and 70 Camels. The Meccan Army had about 1000 soldiers 100 Horses and 700 Camels. They were much better equipped than the Muslim.

According to the Arab custom first of all a single combat was carried before the battle began. So from Quraysh side three famous Warriors Utbah bin Rabiyya, Shayban bin Rabiyyah, and Waleed bin Utbah challenge the Muslims. Three Muslims Awuf , Mauz, and Abdullah Rawaha came forward for single combat. These three Muslims from Ansar of madina. Utbah said that we have no fight with you send us our equals (means from migrated people).

 The holy Prophet (PBUH) then sent Hazrat Ubaydah, Hazrat Hamza and Hazrat Ali. Hazrat Ubaydah faced Utbah, Hamza faced Shayban and Hazrat Ali faced Waleed. Hazrat Hamza and Hazrat Ali soon killed their opponents but Hazrat Ubaydah was badly hurt and later died. Hazrat Ali then killed Utbah. The quraysh was disturb to see the skill of the Muslim Warriors and begin to attack together.

 The holy Prophet (PBUH) held back small army and ordered them fire arrows at the enemy. This organize attack broke up the rank of the opponents and they very confused and disturbed, at that time the prophet (PBUH) ordered for general attack. The Muslims fight with confidence and the valley of Badr range with the sound of battle.

Muslim had achieved a great victory over quraysh of Mecca. In this battle Muslim lost 14 men and quraysh of Mecca lost 70 men including their chief Abu Jahal, Nawfal Umayya. 70 prisoners were also taken by the Muslims.

The battle of Badr was a first battle fought between the Muslims and non- Muslims won the war besides the fact that their army was no more than a handful people as compared to no-Muslims. That is why this is considered an important historic event in the history of Islam.