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Friday Talks |
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The Great Battle of Badr II
Written by: Sk. Ibrahim Gaber
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
15 Ramadan 1430 h
04 September 2009 ad
All thanks be to Allah the Lord of the worlds, and peace and prayers be upon His slave and Messenger Muhammad.
Brothers in faith and Islam,
Ramadan is considered to be the month of fasting and worship and closeness to Allah, yet it is the month of victory and patience. And victory is associated with patience, and with difficulties always come relief. And also the 17th day of Ramadan will always remain a shining star in the sky of existence, and it will remain a badge of honor on the chest of humanity and the faithful nation.
The Messenger (ppbu) was inflicted by much harm and he remained patient. He ordered his companions to be patient up until the first revelations commanding the fighting of the infidel. Allah says: {Sanction (to fight) is given unto those who fight because they have been wronged; and Allah is indeed Able to give them victory; (39) Those who have been driven from their homes unjustly only because they said: Our Lord is Allah - For had it not been for Allah's repelling some men by means of others, cloisters and churches and prayers and mosques, wherein the name of Allah is mentioned, would assuredly have been pulled down. Verily Allah helps one who helps Him. Allah is Strong, Almighty} 22:39-40. The command here is meant for the Messenger (ppbu).
When the messenger (ppbu) heard about a camel train traveling from the Sham region to Quraish under the leadership of Aby-Sufian he told his companions that Allah has given permission to seize and confiscate the camel train. Some of the men responded and others slacked behind. The messenger (ppbu) said {anyone with a horse available, let them ride with us}.That was in the second year after Hijra. He marched with 313 men, with two horses and 70 camels. There were three men sharing a camel which they ride in turns. The messenger (ppbu) was offered by his companions extra turns to ride rather than walk, but he used to say:{You are not more capable to walk than I am, and I am not in less need for reward than you are}
When Abi-Sufian knew that the messenger (ppbu) was out seeking him and the camel train, he changed his rout and sent a message to Quraish for help. Quraish came out for the rescue of their money and trade in 950 men. Allah says: {And when Allah promised you one of the two bands (of the enemy) that it should be yours, and ye longed that other than the armed one might be yours. And Allah willed that He should cause the Truth to triumph by His words, and cut the root of the disbelievers; (7) That He might cause the Truth to triumph and bring vanity to naught, however much the infidel might oppose} 8:7-8
The camel train managed to escape but the two groups met at Badr water well. The messenger (ppbu) consulted with his companions. The answer he received was: "O Messenger of Allah, go ahead towards what Allah has commanded you, we are with you. By Allah we shall not say to you as the children of Israel said to Mosa when they said: (go you and your Lord and fight we are staying here) but we say (go you and your Lord to fight, we are fighting with you". Allah turned their fear into security, and turned their weakness into power, and turned their few numbers into many, and turned their patience into victory.
They marched to the area in Badr, but guides from Quraish ahead of the army got to the water first. Thirst started affecting the Muslim army and tensions were getting high. Allah sent upon them calmness in the form of sleep. Allah also sent down rain upon them from which they drank, and washed by doing wudo, their camels and horses were able to drink, and the earth beneath their feet with the rain became more stable. That state removed doubts which Satan started to spread in the minds of the few, and it helped to hold firm their hearts. The rain was much heavier on the side where the Quraish army was moving, to the point that they were getting stuck in the mud and slowed the army advances. The Muslim army got to Badr first.
The messenger (ppbu) put his hands up and made duaa to Allah saying: {Lord, here is Quraish came out with its pride and nights seeking to challenge you and disbelieve your prophet, and wish to destroy this faithful gang. Dear God give us the victory you promised me. If this faithful gang is destroyed then you shall not be worshiped after today}
The messenger (ppbu) spoke urging Muslims to fights, and arranged the men and inspected their lines. He passed by sawad ebn ghazia (سواد بن غزيه) who was out of line. The messenger (ppbu) hit him on the stomach saying: "straighten up Sawad". Sawad said: "you hurt me messenger of Allah, and yet Allah had sent you with truth and justice, let me have the same chance at you". The messenger (ppbu) uncovered his stomach and said: "compensate your self". But Sawad hugged the messenger (ppbu) and started kissing him. The messenger (ppbu) asked: {what made you do all that?}. Sawad said: "things are coming to a head, and I wanted the last thing for me would be to touch your body". The messenger (ppbu) made duaa for him and the messenger (ppbu) took a handful of dust and through it towards the Quraishy army and said: {tranquilise those faces, Allah, put the fear into their hearts, and shake the earth beneath their feet}. Allah says: {You (Muslims) did not kill them, but Allah killed them. And you (Muhammad) did not throw when you did throw, but Allah threw, that He might test the believers by a fair test from Him. Allah is Hearer, Knower} 8:17.
The messenger (ppbu) said to the men: {It is an oath to Allah, that if any man fights the enemy today and gets killed while believing, and advancing not retreating then Allah shall take him into paradise}. Omeir ebn Hamam (عمير إبن الحمام) at that moment was eating a few dried dates, he said: "eating theses dates is what is between me and paradise, I can't wait all it takes to eat them in order to go to paradise". He threw them out of his mouth and he went into the battle field. He fought until he was killed and he was the first to die.
The fight got tough, and dust rose, and Allah sent down angels to fight along side the faithful. Allah says: {When your Lord inspired the angels, (saying): I am with you. So make those who believe stand firm. I will throw fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Then slash the necks and slash of them each finger} 8:12
By the time the sun went down on that day the 17th of Ramadan the battle had finished with Muslims victorious and the infidel defeated. Seventy of the infidels were killed and seventy were captured as prisoners of war. Allah says: {Allah had already given you the victory at Badr, when ye were weak. So observe your duty to Allah in order that ye may be thankful. (123) When you did say unto the believers: Is it not sufficient for you that your Lord should support you with three thousand angels sent down (to your help)? (124) indeed, if ye persevere, and keep from evil, and (the enemy) attack you suddenly, your Lord will help you with five thousand angels sweeping on. (125) Allah ordained this only as a message of good cheer for you, and that thereby your hearts might be at rest - Victory comes only from Allah, the Mighty, the Wise} 3:123-126
The messenger (ppbu) consulted the companions in the matter of the captured prisoners. AbuBakr suggested taking ransom from them and send them back to their people. "After all", he said, "they were relatives and clan". While Omar suggested execution. The messenger (ppbu) said to AbuBakr that his opinion is like that of Prophet Abraham as in the Koran: {My Lord! they have led many of mankind astray. But whoso followed me, he is of me. And whoso disobeyed me - Still you are Forgiving, Merciful} 14:36. The messenger (ppbu) said to Omar that his opinion is like that of Prophet Noah as in the Koran: {And Noah said: My Lord! Leave not one of the disbelievers in the land. (26) If You should leave them, they will mislead Your slaves and will beget only wrong doers and disbelievers. (27) My Lord! Forgive me and my parents and him who enter my house believing, and believing men and believing women, and do not increase the wrong-doers except with destruction} 71:26-28.
The messenger (ppbu) took AbuBakr's opinion. Yet the Koran later came in support of Omar's opinion when Allah says: {It is not for any prophet to have captives until he has made slaughter in the land. You desire the lure of this world and Allah desires (for you) the Hereafter, and Allah is Mighty, Wise} 8:67.
Notes:
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.
Adhan - The call to prayer.
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
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.
is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God. Aya (or Ayah):
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. Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
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.
talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help. Duaa: a prayer in the form of
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.
Faheem Bukhatwa, my email
address is : faheemfb@gmail.com
