Sunday, March 10, 2019

BATTLE OF BADR AND THE COMMANDER OF THE FAITHFUL IMAM ALI (A.S.)


The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) was called “The Most Truthful” and “The Trustworthy” by the Quraish of Makkah. As soon as he (s.a.w.a.s.) proclaimed that he was the Prophet of God and was assigned the task to guide the humanity, they became his arch enemy. After the sad demise of his “Protector” Hazrat Abu Talib (a.s.) and the “Sole Financial Supporter” of Islam Sayyida Khadija (s.a.), the Quraish became openly hostile to him. This led to the Migration to Madinah. Their hatred for Islam continued and were bent upon destroying Islam at any cost.

Abu Jahal led 1,000 armed men of Quraish riding on 100 horses and 700 camels encamped near the well of Badr. The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) had 313 Muslims having only 2 horses and 70 camels to face them.
The situation was so delicate that the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) raised his hands and prayed to Allah (s.w.t.), “O Allah! This is Quraish. 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.

It was 17 Ramazan 2 A.H. As usual, the duel started, The Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) sent Hazrat Hamza to face Utba bin Rabiah, Imam Ali (a.s.) to face Walid bin Utba and Obeidah to face Shaibah. Hazrat Hamza and Imam Ali (a.s.) killed their opponents easily. Obeidah killed his opponent but he himself was seriously hurt and died later, the first martyr of Islam. Then general fight broke out and the battle was finished within 3 to 4 hours. The casualties of enemy were 70 killed out of which 36 were killed by the Commander of the faithful Imam Ali (a.s.). Muslims took 70 prisoners out of which the rich paid the ransom and were free and for the remainder they were required to teach 10 Muslims each to read and write. Prisoners later praised the Muslims saying, “Blessed be the men of Madinah; they made us ride while they walked, they gave us wheat and bread to eat, while they ate dates.   

The Progeny of the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) were unique creation of Allah; although, they came in this world as human being, but they were superior souls. Can any human think of being Pure as described in Ayah-e-Tatheer. On the occasion of Mubahela, the authenticity of Islam was at stake. Had the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s.) taken with him people other than his Progeny (a.s.) who might have told lies in their life time, that would have negated the cause of Islam and the Noble Messenger (s.a.w.a.s)'s truthfulness. Some commentators award Imam Ali (a.s.) the title of “Hero of Battle of Badr”. This is unworthy of a man who was “The Soul of the Prophet” (the Nafs-e- Rasool).

The Battle of Badr strengthened the faith of Muslims and laid the foundation of Islamic State and made the Muslims a force to be reckoned with by the dwellers of the Arabian Peninsula.
The abnormal and supernatural performance of the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) started to be known to the world. The climax was seen by the world when in a later battle of Khyber, Imam Ali (a.s.) extricated the mammoth gate of the fort which was so heavy and strong that used to be opened and closed by 40 strong men!

Battle of Badr mentioned in the Glorious Qur’an, some of such instances are: Surah al-Imran Ayah 13 which says, “There, certainly, is evidence (of the existence of Allah) for you in the case of the two armies. One of them fought for the cause of Allah. The other was of the unbelievers. The unbelievers appeared to be twice the size of the believers. However, Allah supports, through His help, whomever He wants. It is a good lesson for the people of true vision.” Surah al-Imran Ayah 123 which says, “Allah gave you victory in the Battle of Badr, where your forces were much weaker than those of the enemy. Have fear of Allah so that you may give Him thanks.”
Sources: The Glorious Qur’an, Encyclopedia WIKISHIA, Restatement of the History of Islam by Sayyid Asghar Razwy, Hazrate Ali.blogspot.com, YAIMAM.com, Duas.org

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