Part 18
Abu Rayyan Hamidi
Continuing with the lessons from the Battle of Badr, we now turn to a few more points of reflection.
14. The Value of Humility and Supplication
We are servants of the Almighty Lord, created by Him and always in need of His help in both ease and hardship. Even though the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was assured of victory, since Allah had promised it to him, to the extent that he even pointed out to the Companions the very places where the leaders of the disbelievers would fall, he nevertheless spent the entire night in prayer, raising his hands and humbly supplicating to his Lord for victory.
This teaches us that true servitude (ʿubūdiyyah) requires seeking Allah’s help in every circumstance. Humanity itself was created for this very purpose.
Servitude to Allah is the most noble attribute of creation. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) himself valued this station above Prophethood. For this reason, he instructed his Companions: “Say about me: the servant of Allah and His Messenger.”
Moreover, it is this very quality of servitude that brings a servant closest to the Almighty, and on its basis prayers are answered. Allah says:
“Remember when you cried out to your Lord for help, and He answered you, ‘Indeed, I will reinforce you with a thousand angels, one following another.'” (Surah al-Anfal, 8:9)
Abu Jahl, by contrast, abandoned servitude and embraced arrogance. What benefit did this bring him in this world or the Hereafter? In his pride he declared: “We will march to Badr, slaughter camels, feed the people, hold gatherings of music and entertainment, so that our glory will spread among the Arabs.” Yet his arrogance was crushed, for it was detested by Allah. Pride belongs only to the Almighty, and it is too heavy for others to bear. History has shown that whenever arrogance and rebellion confront sincere servitude, it is servitude that always prevails because Allah grants it His support.
15. The Manifestation of Miracles at Badr
During the Battle of Badr, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was granted miracles that affirmed his Prophethood. Among them was his pointing out the exact spots where certain disbelievers would be killed.
At first glance, this might suggest that Prophets possess knowledge of the unseen (ʿilm al-ghayb). In truth, however, the Knower of the unseen is only Allah. No one in the heavens or the earth has knowledge of it except Him. Allah says:
“Say: None in the heavens and the earth knows the unseen except Allah. And they do not perceive when they will be resurrected.” (Surah al-Naml, 27:65)
And He also says:
“With Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. And He knows whatever is on the land and in the sea.” (Surah al-Anʿam, 6:59)
Nevertheless, Allah reveals certain unseen matters to His chosen Messengers as a sign of their Prophethood and as a miracle to distinguish them from the rest of creation. Allah says:
“Allah would not disclose the unseen to you. But Allah chooses from His Messengers whom He wills.” (Surah Aal ʿImran, 3:179)
And He also says:
“He is the Knower of the unseen, and He does not disclose His unseen to anyone, except to a Messenger whom He has chosen.” (Surah al-Jinn, 72:26–27)
The Qur’an itself mentions instances of this. For example, regarding Prophet ʿIsa (Jesus, peace be upon him), Allah says:
“I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses.” (Surah Aal ʿImran, 3:49)
This knowledge was revealed to him as a miraculous sign of his Prophethood.
In the same way, during the Battle of Badr, Allah revealed to the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) the precise locations where Umayyah ibn Khalaf and other leaders of Quraysh would fall. When the battle ended, events unfolded exactly as he had foretold.
