Battle of Badr took place during on the 17th of Ramadan which was 2 years after prophet’s emigration to medina. It was a very historical battle. Abu Sufyan led a caravan filled with weapons to be used against Muslims from Syria to Mecca.
Naturally the Muslims wanted to interrupt the plan and Abu Sufyan heard about it and in turn informed Abu Jahl which provoked the Mecca’s and led them to send an army to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
The Prophet (pbuh) now arranged a very strong force to fight them. The Muslims were just 313 in number and they were unarmed, with 70 camels and 2 horses while the disbelievers were so much more in number. But despite this, the Muslims still got the outstanding victory.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BATTLE
1. After 10 years of prosecution of Muslims, the finally migrated to Medina.
2. While in Mecca Muslims were not able to defend themselves but they later started in medina when they got permission from a revelation
3. All the wealth and property of Muslims were snatched by the Quraish
4. War was declared by Quraish against the Muslims
5. Abu Sufyans caravan filled with wealth passed
6. Instructions from the prophet(PBUH) to ambush the caravan to take back their property
7. Abu sufyan reported issue to Abu jahl and the Muslims gathered their small army for the battle
8. There was rain and sandstorm during the battle.
9. Abu Jahl was killed
LESSONS FROM THE BATTLE OF BADR
1. Good character displayed by Prophet (saw)
As soon as Prophet (SAW) learnt was the Quraish were about to do, he quickly called for a meeting where he consulted with the sahaba. The prophet got a revelation from Allah, he could have easily gone ahead with the decision but instead he consulted with his sahaba which is an excellent characteristic, seeking for advice from trustworthy people.
Secondly, in the contract for the Ansar, it was agreed that they will only defend the Prophet (SAW) in his home and he respected that decision without trying to twist their arm or anything.
2. The strength and power of fasting and Du’a
At one point before the battled, the prophet (SAW) recited the du’a ‘O Allah, if you let this group of men die, no one after them will worship you on the earth.’ He called out to his Lord, ‘O Allah, give me the help which you promised me.’
Abu Bakr also said some words of consolation to the Prophet (PBUH) ‘O Messenger of Allah, this prayer of yours to your Lord will suffice you, and He will fulfil for you what He has promised you’.
Alhamdulillah Allah gave them victory, during the preparation, they did a lot of fasting which increased their taqwa, Allah willed the battle to take place in Ramadan, it was not a coincidence. The fasting increased their energy level and made them stronger. No doubt about the power of dua and fasting.
3 Importance of brotherhood in Islam
There was a very strong solidarity and cooperation between the Ansar and the Muhajiroon towards the victory of the battle. Ramadan is actually a month of unity; Muslims eat, pray taraweeh and go for charity as a group which encourages brotherhood. When the prophet (PBUH) made the dua he wasn’t concerned about just him and his companions but for the whole Muslim ummah so that future generations can benefit from the dua. Islam is better promoted as an ummah, than individually.
4. Be grateful to Allah
Before the battle Allah sends some blessings to the Muslims in the form of rain which made the sand easier for them to march on but for the disbelievers the rain was a source of an obstacle in achieving their mission. Allah blesses our environment by putting valuable things in it and therefore we should be grateful to him at all times.
The blessings from the rain made the Muslims hearts more strengthened and they were encouraged to fight the disbelievers. Allah sent peace and tranquillity in their hands and another blessing that was bestowed upon them was the ability to sleep in the night without fear.
5. Have faith in Allah (tawakkul)
This incident showed us that age is just a number, some of them Muslims had no weapons, some had no bows but arrows, and some had spears with no swords. They were no young and therefore weak, they were fasting and the Quraysh were heavily armed and in large number but because of the complete trust and faith they had in their lord they became victorious. Whenever we want to overcome an obstacle, let us keep in mind that Allah is greater than that obstacle. We shouldn’t allow the problem overwhelm us. Have yaqeen and know that Allah paves a way for success as long as we have faith and trust in him.
6. Contest in good deeds
The Muslims competed against each other in order to get the rewards. They took full charge despite not having the full equipment and capacity. They competed for good deeds and it wasn’t characterised by jealousy but motivation.
7. Remember Allah in good times
After they had the victory, the Prophet (saw) said, ‘Allah is greatest! Praise belongs to Allah Who was true to His promise, helped His slave and defeated the parties alone.’
After they won the battle, a verse was revealed. This shows the significance of remembering Allah after victory.
‘And Allah has already made you victorious at Badr, when you were a weak little force. So fear Allah much that you may be grateful’ (3:123) The lesson here is every victory is from Allah alone. It does not come from your intelligence or skills so we shouldn’t be arrogant about it.
8. Allah is always with us
During the battle, angels helped the Muslims. In order to get similar assistance from Allah we are bound to have firm faith in Allah, we have to open our souls.
9 Lesson not give our enemies too much power that will induce fear in our hearts.
The fourth lesson: Do not exaggerate the power of the enemy so that it will induce fear and trepidation
“And recall when He made them appear to be few in your eyes when you met them in the battle just as He lessened you in their eyes so that Allah might accomplish what had been decreed. To Allah are all matters referred for decision. “ (Chapter Al Anfal/The Spoils of War:44)
Even though the number of Qurays was high, Allah made the Muslims perceive as if they were a small number.
Ibn Mas’ud asked when the battle was about to start “I think they are just around 70 men, right? His friend replied, No, they are 100 men.”
We shouldn’t spread issues that will frighten our Muslim peers to avoid anxiety in the Muslim society. To improve the wellness level among Muslims, issues concerning public interest should be given second thought before spreading. Therefore, issues regarding public interest should be given thorough consideration.
Signed
BeingMuslimah
Bibliography
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10. Watt, W. Montgomery (1956). Muhammad at Medina. Oxford University Press.
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