THE BATTLE OF BADR

"Fight in the way of Allah those people who fight you, but do not overstep the limits. Verily Allah does not like those who overstep the limits." (2:190)

When the above verse, commanding the use of arms, was revealed, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) appealed to all believers. More than three hundred responded to his call, including seventy-three Muhaajir (emigrants from Makkah to Madinah), and 240 Ansaar (inhabitants of Madinah). 

The expedition, on the side of the believers, was not rich in cavalry because they had only four horses and very few weapons.

On the side of the enemy of Islam, an army of about one thousand soldiers, armed to the teeth, was raised, and had at their disposal more than a thousand horses and seven hundred camels. They slaughtered nine or ten camels every day, and were already advancing with an air of triumph. Their only purpose was to wipe the believers off the face of the earth. But this was without taking into account the plan of the Most High.

The believers, on the other hand, placed their trust in Allah and His Messenger (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) and resolved to fight in the path of Allah. Their love for the Prophet (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) and for Islam can be summed up in their own words:

"O Prophet of Allah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam), go without hesitation to what you have been commanded. By Allah, we will not say to you as the children of Isra'il said to Hadhrat Musa (Alaihis Salaam): Go fight together with your Lord, while we are waiting for you here! On the contrary, we will say to you: Go fight together with your Lord, and you will find us always and on all your sides."

Another soldier from Islam, Hadhrat Saad bin Maadh (Radiyallahu anhu) said: "In you we have unlimited trust and we have given you our word. Go to what you have been commanded, and I swear by Him who sent you for the triumph of the Truth, if you had invited us to plunge into the waves of the sea, we would rush with you."

At last the hour which was to decide the destinies of Islam had come. It was a Friday, the seventeenth day of the month of Ramadhan, and the two troops found themselves face to face in Badr.

Worried about the enormous disproportion he had noticed between the two troops present, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) renewed his prostrations and supplications:

"O Allah, remember Your promise! If on this day You allow this army of the soldiers of the faith (Imaan) to be destroyed, no worshipper of You will be left on earth."

In the excess of fatigue, the Prophet (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) closed his eyes for a moment and immediately opened them again, but with a smile that lit up his face.

"Good news," he exclaimed, "the Angel Jibrail (Alaihis Salaam) is flying to our aid; I see the sands raised in whirlwinds under the feet of his horse."

He then turned to his companions (Radiyallahu anhum) and said:

"By the one who holds the soul of Muhammad (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) in His hands, I swear to you, any believer who kills an enemy will have the right to his spoils, and any believer who dies in the face of the enemy will be immediately welcomed by Allah in the gardens of Paradise."

Hearing these promises, the believers wasted no time and rushed to their enemies. In less than the blink of an eye, the idolaters had suffered defeat. Seventy were killed including the detestable pharaoh - Abu Jahl. The believers had lost only fourteen of their own, forever glorious, the first martyrs who fell in the Holy War (Jihaad fi sabeelillah).

In a tradition of Bukhari, Hadhrat Mu'az (Radiyallahu anhu), whose father had participated in the Battle of Badr, says:

"The Angel Jibra'il (Alaihis Salaam) came to the Prophet (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) and said to him: 'How do you regard the men of Badr among you?' "For us," The Prophet (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) replied, "They are the best of the Muslims." "Well," replied Jibrail (Alaihis Salaam), "We have the same esteem for the angels who were present on the day of Badr."

Although the number of the enemies of Islam was greater than that of the soldiers of truth, although they were better equipped, despite their determination to exterminate Islam in its hull, Allah Ta'ala showed them that it is He who holds absolute power and it is He, the protector of His religion Al-Islam.

Why do the Muslims of today, despite the fact that they are more numerous in the world, despite their wealth, suffer defeat after defeat and blow after blow? Why do they not receive help from Allah Ta'ala?

Muslims all over the world must understand that they can only have supremacy, honour and dignity if they return to Islam fully and accept it as the only guide in all areas of their lives. Also they must follow the Prophet (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) as the Sahabah Kiraam (Radiyallahu anhum) followed him. Islam is the only remedy for the ills of the Muslim community!

[English version of "La bataille de badr" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 3]