Ramadan - Battel of Badr
Written by: SK.
Translated by Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
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Allah says; {Allah made
you victorious in Badr when you were of small number and arsenal and weaker.
Fear Allah that you may be thankful.} 3-123.
During the blessed month
of Ramadan in the second year after immigration (Hijra), the first major
battle (or charge) of the prophet took place. It was the great battle of Badr.
The cause for this battle is that the messenger (PPBU) knew of a convoy of a
commercial camel train which belonged to Quraish. He knew that it was
returning from Al-Sham area (Syria and Palestine) back to Mekkah. It was led
by Abu-Sofyan. The messenger ordered his followers to go and capture the
convoy. He said: {May Allah give you control over it.} Quraish at the time had
been raging a war against the messenger and the Muslims. The messenger went
out leading with a little over 300 of his companions. They went not seeking
war, and not thinking that there will be a major fight. Abo-Sufyan managed to
slip away and escape with the convoy. But, the clan of Quraish when they
received the message they went out with 1000 men, including 100 horses and 700
camel. The group included also the well known names in the clan. They went out
in a show-of-force act and to impress other people, and in a drive against
Allah. They had musicians and singers chanting against Muslims. When Abu-Sofyan
escaped with the convoy he sent a word to Quraish to let them know that the
convoy is safe and he recommended not to go into battle. They refused, and
Abu-Jahl said: "I pledge by Allah that I shall not return until I reach Badr,
stay there three days, slaughter and give away the food and drink so all
Arabia shall hear about us; and so they'll remain fearful of us."
When the messenger (PPBU)
heard about what Quraish intended to do; he gathered his companions and
consulted with them. Mekdad ebn-Amr (مقداد
بن عمرو)
and he was one of the Ansar said: "Messenger of Allah, go on to
what ever Allah commanded you to do. I pledge to Allah that we shall not say
to you as the Isralies said to Mosa 'Go you and your god and fight; we are
staying here', Instead we shall fight on your right, left, in front and behind
you." The messenger (PPBU) praised him for that and went on to say: {People,
advice me}. Saad (سعد)
said: "Messenger of Allah, it is as if you were worried that the group of
Ansar think that it is not within their right to support you except within the
bounds of their city. And I say and respond to you on behalf of all the Ansar.
Take us and go, any time you wish, and make ties with whomever you wish, and
cut off ties with whomever you wish, and take from our money as much as you
wish; and give us from that money as much as you wish, and this that you take
of it; is dearer to ourselves that what you leave. And what ever you are
commanded to do; we shall be at your command. Lead us, for I swear by Allah;
if you go with us to fields of battle we shall go with you. And if you come
cross the sea and ride it we shall ride it with you. By Allah; we will not
hate it; if you want us to meet our enemy tomorrow morning. For we have
tremendous bearing to war, and are truthful when meeting them. And may Allah
show you from us what your eyes will be contented with"
The messenger (PPBU) was
happy with what he heard from those who immigrated with him, and from those
they immigrated to (Mohajreen and Ansar), and he said: {Then march; and I
bring you good tidings; by Allah; I can almost see the places where many men
will be killed.}
The messenger (PPBU)
marched with his group to the nearer end towards Madina of the Badr water
spring and the men dismounted. The Habbab ben-Munther
الحباب بن المنذر
said: Messenger of Allah, about this location, were you instructed by Allah to
camp here, such that we must stick to? Or is it the strategy, war and tactics?
The messenger (PPBU) said: "indeed it is strategy, war and tactics."
Al-Habbab said "then,
this is not a the right place. Let us go to the nearest water of the other
side. And deepen the wells round that." The messenger (PPBU) liked that
suggestion and headed off with the men to the lower bank of the valley on the
Madina side, and the Quraish army was at the upper bank towards Mekkah.
That day Allah brought
down heavy rain which caused slippery mud for the unbelievers, while it was
like light dew on the Muslims side. Allah used it to purify Muslims, made
earth firmer which gave better footholds. Muslims built a simple roofed
shelter for the messenger as an observatory.
The messenger came down,
lined up the men in rows, waked in the battle field pointing at spots on the
ground where he said the top men from Quraish shall be killed. He said: "this
is the spot where such and such shall be killed with the well of Allah". And
you know what!! None of the men he named actually passed the point the
messenger pointed out for him. They were all killed exactly at the spots
defined by the messenger.
The two sides met. The
messenger (PPBU) offered many prayers to Allah asking with insistence, and he
begged Allah and asked for his help and support. He said "Allah, fulfill your
promise to me, O'Allah, here is Quraish has come with its power and pride to
block your religion, and fight your messenger" and then he went on to say
about his companions: "O'Allah, if you destroy this bunch of men, you shall
not be worshipped on earth"
As answer to the
prayers, Allah brought down his victory. He sent down angels to defeat the
enemy. Quraish lost and retreated. Quraish suffered the killing of 70 of its
unbelievers, and the capture of 70 more as prisoners of war. Twenty four of
the top unbelievers who died, were thrown down a
t
a (قليب من قلبان بدر)
drop (or cliff) in Badr.
Some of the names are:
Abu-Jahl, Autbah ben-Rabiea (عتبى
بن ربيعة), Shaibah ben-Rabiea, al-Waleed ben-Autbah and many more.
The messenger camped in Badr for three nights.
When they were pulling back and returning he stopped at the cliff and called
each one of those dead unbelievers in their full names saying: "We found what
our god promised us is true, have you found what your god promised you is
true?" Omar ben-Khattab asked: "Are you talking to corpses that have worn
out?" the messenger replied: "By Allah, you are not better at hearing me than
they are." For Allah made them hear that call at that moment.
Those two parties, the party of believers, the
messenger (PPBU) and his companions, and the party of those who are
unbelievers and who took partners with Allah. The party of Quraish and its
defiant heads. Allah says: {Those two adversaries, argued with regard to their
God, the blasphemers have clothes made of fire made for them with, hell
pouring down from above their heads} Haj-19.
There are many lessons that can be learned from
the great battle of Badr:
1) This
battle occurred during the month of Ramadan. This holy month, the month of
work, deeds, patience, strive in the line of Allah. A month where the vigor
and determination of a believer is increased many fold, and he gets even
closer to gracious and merciful God. A month where doors of paradise are
opened wide. It is the most precious time for a believer to strive with good
deeds in the line of Allah. Besides, most of the great battles in the Islamic
history happened in this month.
2) This
battle clearly shows what each believer knows that all victory is within the
hands of Allah. He brings it to whoever He wishes. For the companions coming
out with the messenger (PPBU) did not want the war, they actually did not
think that there will be a major battle, and they did not get ready for it;
nor prepared for it before hand. Despite all that Allah honored them with the
victory for the truthful pledge they made to Allah. He made them victorious
because of the grace of their belief, and the truth they held with Allah and
with the truth in obeying the messenger (PPBU).
3) When
the battle is between belief and disbelief then results are not measured in
human measurements, which normally are based on materialistic evidence. For
Allah supports the believers over the unbelievers even if the materialistic
balance of power is not equal. Allah compensates what is missing with and how
ever He wishes. Allah says: "Allah alone knows of the soldiers of your God"
At the battle of Bader, the enemy was greater in
numbers and in arsenal. The enemy was three times the number of the
companions. But when they prayed, asked Allah for help; despite the great
materialistic difference; He made them victorious.
4) The
messenger as commanded by Allah, always consulted with his companions in great
matters, especially at the battles of Badr, and Ohod, and the battle of the
Trench. The blessings gained from using this method always produce success and
winning in all matters, ordinary life or military matters
5) All
things belong to Allah. All creations are His, and creatures are His slaves.
They all need Allah and He does not need them. This fact the believer knew it
well and submitted to it. While the unbeliever denied it and revolted against.
The messenger (PPBU) gave us a lesson that we must always show the need to
Allah, and always to ask him in humbleness and beg of him in humiliation. To
always show weakness and need towards Him, with the certainty of the answer.
All thanks be to Allah.
Notes:
-
Adhan
- The call to prayer.
-
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the
messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of
Islam.
Assalam Alaikum -
The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace
be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching
it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during
leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
Aya (or Ayah):
is a verse of the Koran.
It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
is a mountain
outside the city of Mecca
that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing
Hajj must stay at this location on the same
day.
Badr
- The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the
pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph
- A Muslim ruler. See:
(Khalifa)
Dajjal
- Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah
- The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din)
- Religion or way of life.
Duaa:
a prayer in the form of
talking to Allah;
praising him and asking him for help.
Fatwa
- Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are
the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose:
is the highest level of
the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh
- Religious law.
Hadeeth:
is something reported
that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave.
It is usually narrated or told by one
of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are
reported and checked to be genuine. No
more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar -
The Black Stone set into the corner of the
Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj -
The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in
the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas:
is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith
- The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his
followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is
the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or
Hejrah):
the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This
event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12
months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a
name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah -
Worship. All the words and deeds with which
Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese):
On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used
by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar
or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn
Omar.
Imam
(or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman:
belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) -
The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the
Christians.
Islam
- Submission, the religion of all the
prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah -
The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of
the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad:
is striving in the
line
of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving
oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection
of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the
fight one's self against temptations.
It also means "holy war."
Jinn
-
Supernatural, invisible beings race of
beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst
them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on
Judgment Day.
Ka'aba:
A cube shaped building in
Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say
Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by
Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers.
Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage
in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa:
is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation:
"Successor".
Khutbah -
A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr -
Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for
anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran
- Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book
of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran
literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to
the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the
Arabian
peninsula
(in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to
immigrate to.
Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid -
A
center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah -
A
sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah:
is
the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous
black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim
house of worship.
Muhajir -
(Muhajireen)
Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It
was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median
and Ethiopia.
Muhammad -
the final messenger and
prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He
received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in
Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad
ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim
- One who holds faith to the religion of
Islam.
Nafilah:
a voluntary prayer other
than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara -
Christians. Nasrani:
A Christian individual. Nasraniah:
Christianity.
Ommah:
is the Arabic word for a
nation. It usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise -
Another word for heaven. A
garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and
imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels.
All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty
Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise
is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU
(P.B.U.H.) :
Peace and Prayers Be
Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the
messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar -
Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all
things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr):
The night when the first
revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the
last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to
the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and
few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the
holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla -
The direction which Muslims turn for daily
prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish -
An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger
Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan -
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which
is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat -
Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of
worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is
performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa:
A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion
leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants
of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who
ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk -
Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with
Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of
Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam-
Fasting
Sunni:
is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life
style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah):
Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he
dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought.
Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered
the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an
important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes.
It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all
Muslims.
Surah -
A
chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf:
part of the pilgrimage (Hajj)
ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise
direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed -
Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that
there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement
of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new
Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah -
Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person
to understand God.
Taurat: The old
Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah -
the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to
the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah):
A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to
Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic
year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual
done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor -
The
Psalms
Zakat -
The
third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
