The Battle of Badr was the most important confrontation
between the enemies of Islam and the followers of the new faith. The importance
and the critical condition of the situation may be realized if we view the
supplication of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) to Allah (s.w.t.):
“O Allah! This is Quraysh. It has
come with all its arrogance and boastfulness, trying to discredit your Apostle.
O Allah! I ask you to humiliate them tomorrow. O Allah! If this Muslim band
will perish today, You shall not be worshiped.”
The Quraysh came up
with 950 soldiers, out of which 100 were cavalry and 700 camels and the
infantry was wearing chain-mail and armor. Muslims were 314 (including the
Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.)), having only 2 horses and 70 camels. It was 17 Ramzan
2 A.H.
The Muslim line of
defense consisted of:
(1) The sacred personality of the Noble
Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.), his wise leadership and matchless firmness. To the
Muslims, he (s.a.w.a.s.) was the sheet anchor at Badr and at every battle.
(2) The Hashemites (the clan of the Messenger),
led by the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (a.s.), who entered this battle
relatively obscured but came out with unparallel military fame. His (a.s.)
military performances became the popular subject of the Arab caravan’s
conversations throughout the Arabian Peninsula.
(3) The hundreds of companions of the Noble Messenger
(s.a.w.a.s.) whose hearts were filled with love for martyrdom.
The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) called for a meeting of the
Muslims. Miqda’ad, who was a Muhajir, said, “O Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) of Allah!
Do what Allah has commanded you to do. We are with you, now and at all times.”
Saad bin Mua’dh, who was an Ansar, said, “We have borne
witness that you are a Messenger of Allah. We have given pledge to obey you.
Where ever you go, we shall go with you.”
As the practice was at that time, before the general
warfare, dual fights were the routine. Three
members of Umayyad clan came out and called for duals with equal status; Utbah
bin Rabiah, Walid bin Utbah and Sheiba bin Utbah.
The Noble Messenger
(s.a.w.a.s) sent Imam Ali (a.s.) to face Walid, Hamza faced Utba and Obedida
faced Sheiba. Imam Ali (a.s.) destroyed Walid, Hamza killed Utba then they both
assisted Obeidah. Sheibah died immediately but Obeidah was the first martyr of the battle. Then the general offensive
began and the battle was over within 3 or 4 hours. When it was all over Quraysh had lost 70 people out of which 22 people
were killed by Imam Ali (a.s.). Muslims took 70 prisoners.
The architect or hero
of the Battle of Badr was undoubtedly, the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali
(a.s.) after killing more than one third of the casualties of the battle!
According to Tor
Andre (author of Mohammed, the man and his faith, 1960), “Badr is the most
important Battle in the entire history of Islam, and one of the most important
in world history.”
Sources:
The Message by Ayatollah Ja’far Subhani, Restatement of history of Islam by Sayyad
Asghar Razwy
Ezsoftech.com,
al-islam.org/battle of Badr
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