The Battle of Badr What we should take away from the Battle |
Written by Nuraz |
Salaam (WRWB). Recently I learned about WW2 In my class. Obviously walking away from the abundant amount of times battles, wars, siege, and military were all said it stuck in my head. Also at the time of writing, Ramadan is present. That being said, one of the most infamous battles of all Islam is the Battle of Badr. It took place in Ramadan on the 17th day of the 1st year of Hijrah.
But what had made it so special was how different both sides had looked during the war. The Muslims led by the Prophet (PBUH) had an army count of around 313. Whereas the Quraysh, the opposing side looked to have the advantage of around 1000 men and was led by the infamous Abu Jahl. Not only did the Quraysh look to have advantage with more equipped men with greater technology also having a clear sight. And on the other side the Muslims had a limited amount of supplies and resources to combat the Quraysh during this war.
But of course promised miracles would occur from Allah (SWT), as he mentions,
إِذۡ تَقُولُ لِلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ أَلَن يَكۡفِيَكُمۡ أَن يُمِدَّكُمۡ رَبُّكُم بِثَلَٰثَةِ ءَالَٰفٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ مُنزَلِينَ
Meaning - Remember when you said to the believers, “It is not sufficient for you that your Lord should reinforce you with 3000 angels sent down?” (3:124)
بَلَىٰٓۚ إِن تَصۡبِرُواْ وَتَتَّقُواْ وَيَأۡتُوكُم مِّن فَوۡرِهِمۡ هَٰذَا يُمۡدِدۡكُمۡ رَبُّكُم بِخَمۡسَةِ ءَالَٰفٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ مُسَوِّمِينَ
Meaning - Yes, if you remain patient and conscious of Allah and the enemy come upon you [attacking] in rage, your Lord will reinforce you with five thousand angels having marks [of distinction] (3:125)
وَمَا جَعَلَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بُشۡرَىٰ لَكُمۡ وَلِتَطۡمَئِنَّ قُلُوبُكُم بِهِۦۗ وَمَا ٱلنَّصۡرُ إِلَّا مِنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡعَزِيزِ ٱلۡحَكِيمِ
Meaning - And Allah made it not except as [a sign of] good tidings for you and to reassure your hearts thereby. And victory is not except from Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Wise – (3:126)
This goes to show the power of Allah (SWT). And the result of this battle defied all odds. As the Muslims who were supposed to be the underdogs had absolutely demolished the “overdogs” (I don’t know if that is even a word) of the Quraysh. As Quraysh casualties had reported around the death of 70 people and another 70 captured. Whereas the Muslims had just 14 deaths.
The victory was really significant due to how early the battle was taking place in times of the spread of Islam. This battle was a make or break in terms of the faith of Islam or in other words a must win victory. Note that there were several factors resulting in this win.
1) Dua to Allah (SWT)
The Prophet (PBUH) had done an endless amount of dua, praying, and zikr to remember Allah (SWT) and to call for his help. Though it isn’t the Battle of Badr, it still is a battle. As in the Battle of Uhud another important Battle for the Muslims as it was narrated in Sahih Bukhari,
“When the Prophet (ﷺ) was in the battle of Uhud, he prayed for the Muslims, and he made du'a (supplication) for them. He raised his hands and prayed for victory, saying: ‘O Allah, You are our Helper and Protector. You are the one who grants victory, and You are the one who provides assistance. Grant us victory over these people who are trying to harm us.’” - (Sahih Bukhari; Volume 4, Book 52, Hadith 45)
He would also pray day in and night to secure this victory, showing what this victory had meant to him.
There was also a special prayer specifically for war that prayed in the duration, called Salat Al-Khawf, in which is a 2 rakat prayer that was prayed from one group, whilst the other group guards and protects the group praying from any harm or danger from the enemies of war. Then once the first group had finished praying, the second group would exchange roles with the first group.
This prayer is also mentioned in Chapter 4 of the Quran, As Allah (SWT) orders the Prophet (PBUH), that also summarizes this prayer that I had mentioned in the previous paragraph. Note that it is a long ayat to read, so take your time.
وَإِذَا كُنتَ فِيهِمۡ فَأَقَمۡتَ لَهُمُ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ فَلۡتَقُمۡ طَآئِفَةٞ مِّنۡهُم مَّعَكَ وَلۡيَأۡخُذُوٓاْ أَسۡلِحَتَهُمۡۖ فَإِذَا سَجَدُواْ فَلۡيَكُونُواْ مِن وَرَآئِكُمۡ وَلۡتَأۡتِ طَآئِفَةٌ أُخۡرَىٰ لَمۡ يُصَلُّواْ فَلۡيُصَلُّواْ مَعَكَ وَلۡيَأۡخُذُواْ حِذۡرَهُمۡ وَأَسۡلِحَتَهُمۡۗ وَدَّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ لَوۡ تَغۡفُلُونَ عَنۡ أَسۡلِحَتِكُمۡ وَأَمۡتِعَتِكُمۡ فَيَمِيلُونَ عَلَيۡكُم مَّيۡلَةٗ وَٰحِدَةٗۚ وَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ إِن كَانَ بِكُمۡ أَذٗى مِّن مَّطَرٍ أَوۡ كُنتُم مَّرۡضَىٰٓ أَن تَضَعُوٓاْ أَسۡلِحَتَكُمۡۖ وَخُذُواْ حِذۡرَكُمۡۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ أَعَدَّ لِلۡكَٰفِرِينَ عَذَابٗا مُّهِي
Meaning - And when you are among them and lead them in prayer, let a group of them stand [in prayer] with you and let them carry their arms. And when they have prostrated, let them be [in position] behind you and have the other group come forward which has not [yet] prayed and let them pray with you, taking precaution and carrying their arms. Those who disbelieve wish that you would neglect your weapons and your baggage so they could come down upon you in one [single] attack. But there is no blame upon you, if you are troubled by rain or are ill, for putting down your arms, but take precaution. Indeed, Allah has prepared for the disbelievers a humiliating punishment. (4:102)
Just look at how valuable Salaah was to the Muslims, that even though they are in a battle, this prayer meant more.
And in the Battle of Badr, in the night before while the Muslims were making heavy dua on the other side (The Quraysh), they were banging on their drums, screaming their songs and anthems, and dancing around which shows you how you should prepare in times of war. Showing that you need to remember Allah (SWT) (Having Taqwa and Imaan), in difficult times such as war.
2) Unity
You may be asking me, Nuraz, how in the world does being united have to do with winning a war. Simple. Imagine this. You're a head commander of your army and devise a command to attack the enemy; knights in the front, archers at the back, and cavalry & infantry towards the sides. But instead your archers are at the sides and are seeking for personal glory, and splitting up. And the bond of your knights causes them to attack at different times. Your cavalry and infantry being scared and worried, and charging at the wrong time. While your enemy gets a show and completely destroys all of them. How would you feel?
Being united sounds easy, but it is difficult. Also consider the fact that being united is one of the things that sounds dumb and insignificant but is one of the most important.
On October 7th 2023, when Israel started a full out invasion of Gaza, the entire world sat on their seats watching this spectacle take place. They were all like, “How is Palestine a weak nation going to beat a world superpower like Israel?” Well Palestine had faith and Imaan, called to Allah (SWT) and had a bond that's unbreakable. Fighting in their land and never surrendering. Fast forward to today where Israel, shocked by this resilience, considers a ceasefire (stopping war), as they have lost a lot and are yet to make a proper result against Palestine.
And for the Muslims in the Battle of Badr, just like the Palestinians had done the same, united with their faith and Imaan alongside fierce fighting and organized tactics ensured a Muslim victory. Also remember we are meant to be one Ummah. Just imagine 2.2 billion Muslims fighting against countries like Israel or the rest of Europe, it will be devastating for those parties.
3) Help from Allah (SWT)
Whether it's you vs the world or you vs the universe, if Allah (SWT) is on your side nothing will stop us. Same can be said with us vs Allah (SWT). Imagine our knowledge had been summed up, combined with water, moreover a singular raindrop. Allah (SWT)’s knowledge would be the entire ocean and counting. So it’s not just the Muslims who ensured their victory. It was Allah (SWT) that decided the fate of both sides, where this tale of battle would end up.
The Muslims were underdogs bound to lose, but Allah (SWT) sent 3000-5000 angels as mentioned in the previous Quranic ayats, and with that help gave the Muslims their victory.
In Surah Anfal a Surah that focuses on war is mentioned from Allah (SWT). He would provide,
إِذۡ تَسۡتَغِيثُونَ رَبَّكُمۡ فَٱسۡتَجَابَ لَكُمۡ أَنِّي مُمِدُّكُم بِأَلۡفٖ مِّنَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ مُرۡدِفِينَ
Meaning - [Remember] when you asked help of your Lord, and He answered you, “Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand from the angels, following one another.” (8:9)
وَمَا جَعَلَهُ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بُشۡرَىٰ وَلِتَطۡمَئِنَّ بِهِۦ قُلُوبُكُمۡۚ وَمَا ٱلنَّصۡرُ إِلَّا مِنۡ عِندِ ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَزِيزٌ حَكِيمٌ
Meaning - And Allah made it not but good tidings and so that your hearts would be assured thereby. And victory is not but from Allah. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise. (8:10)
As these ayats are self-explanatory, the Muslims had called upon Allah (SWT), remembering him in the process.
The Battle of Badr was truly a miracle and one of the most defying battles of Islam, what lesson does this tie to us. Of course the 3 things I had mentioned tie in a big factor. But with emerging conflicts around the world and the stages of the Day of Qiyamah taking place we must remember the end is not far. As the Prophet (PBUH) had described this occasion to his time with two fingers.
“The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been split (referring to the miraculous event). And if I were to swear by Allah, I would say that the Hour is closer to me than this. The Prophet (ﷺ) then pointed with his finger to the people present.” - (Sahih Bukhari; Book 1, Hadith 348)
I normally don’t pull up images, but imagine this image with two fingers. The left one being the time of the Prophet (PBUH) and the Day of Judgement.
That being said, one of the signs that will take place is the huge battle that is said to wipe out ⅓ of the world’s population with Imam Mehdi as the head commander of the Muslims. It is mandatory for all Muslim (Men) that had hit puberty (state of Baaligh) to enter this war. And note that one of the major sins in Islam is fleeing the battlefield.
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'The one who flees the battle is a hypocrite unless he is engaging in a strategy for war.'" - (Sahih Bukhari; Book 56, Hadith 10)
Also note that the battlefield is a test for the Muslims to uncover their true faith. Fleeing the battlefield, deserting shows as an act of betrayal and a disobedience to Allah (SWT). As the Prophet (PBUH) had interacted with a man who had deserted from the battle. As in a hadith compiled by Sahih Muslim describes the scenario,
A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and said: 'O Messenger of Allah, I have fled from the battlefield.' The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'You are not one of the believers.'" - (Sahih Muslim)
Note that you may flee the battlefield if you are advancing in another strategic area or if you are participating in a strategy. The reward of dying in the battlefield or becoming a martyrdom which is counted as a Shahid, granted Jannah. And it’s also one of the highest levels of Jihad. As the Prophet (PBUH) mentions,
"The one who fights in the cause of Allah, with his heart and his wealth, and then returns after victory is given his due reward in the Hereafter." - (Sahih Bukhari; Book 52, Hadith 51)
With these factors discussed in this article, you should always remember that the times of war act as a test. And like all tests there is a method to crack them down and pass. With the way the Prophet (PBUH) commanded his people and how he had remembered Allah (SWT) is the same way we should fight in battle. As we should all have an idea of fighting in the battlefield, so when in times of battle for the Ummah we will make the best out of it and be granted victory if Allah (SWT) wills. May Allah (SWT) make us be able to experience a battlefield experience and make us all pass away as Muslims and forgive our past sins. I hope you enjoy reading this article. As there are more articles in Fityah that you can check out. Until then, Salaam (WRWB)