Part 5
Author: Abu Rayyan Hamidi
The Great Battle of Badr
The Battle of Badr stands as the first major military confrontation in Islamic history, marking a decisive victory for the Muslims against the Quraysh of Mecca. This triumph shattered the arrogance of disbelief, as the polytheist forces never again achieved a decisive victory against the Islamic state in Medina.
To fully comprehend the significance of this battle, it is essential to examine the causes and the sequence of events that led to this historic encounter.
Causes and Background
As the Islamic state in Medina grew stronger, securing treaties with surrounding tribes, it gained stability and influence. Meanwhile, a wealthy Quraysh trade caravan—previously evading Muslim interception during the Expedition of Al-‘Ushayrah—was returning from Syria to Mecca. In anticipation of the caravan’s return, the Prophet (PBUH) dispatched two esteemed companions, Ṭalḥa ibn ʿUbayd Allāh and Abdullah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with them), to gather intelligence regarding its movements.
The caravan carried immense wealth—fifty thousand gold dinars on a thousand camels—guarded by forty armed men. Recognizing this as a strategic opportunity, the Prophet (peace be upon him) mobilized a force of 313 companions, departing Medina on the 12th of Ramadan in the second year after Hijrah.
Voluntary Participation and Preparations
Since the primary objective was intercepting the caravan rather than engaging in battle, participation was voluntary. Many companions expected a non-confrontational mission, similar to previous expeditions, which explains the modest size of the force. No divine reprimand was directed at those who remained behind.
Prior to his departure, the Prophet (peace be upon him) appointed Abdullah ibn Umm-Maktum (may Allah be pleased with him) to lead prayers in Medina. Upon reaching Ar-Rawha, he sent Abu Lubaba ibn Abd al-Mundhir (may Allah be pleased with him) back to oversee administrative affairs.
The Composition and Equipment of the Muslim Army
The Muslim forces were modestly equipped:
– 313 soldiers (majority Ansar, with 81–83 Muhajireen)
– 2 horses and 70 camels (shared among 2–3 riders each)
– Command Structure:
– Overall leader: Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
– General flag (white)
– Muhajireen flag: Held by Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him)
– Ansar flag: Led by Sa’d ibn Mu’adh (may Allah be pleased with him)
– Right flank: Commanded by Al-Zubayr ibn al-Awwam
– Left flank: Led by Al-Miqdad ibn Amr
– Rear Guard Commander: Qays ibn Sa’sa’a (may Allah be pleased with him)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) himself shared a camel with Ali and Abu Lubaba ibn Abd al-Mundhir (may Allah be pleased with them). When the companions offered to let him ride exclusively, he refused, saying:
“You are not stronger than me in walking, and I am in greater need of the reward than you.”
The leader of the Quraysh caravan was Abu Sufyan. From the outset of the journey, he suspected that the followers of Muhammad (PBUH) might attempt to seize the caravan. Therefore, he frequently inquired along the way to avoid falling into an ambush by the Muslim forces. When the caravan entered the Hijaz region, they were not as secure as usual. Given the existing enmity between the Quraysh and the state of Medina, the seizure of each other’s wealth was not an unexpected occurrence.
Abu Sufyan strengthened his intelligence network at this time and soon discovered that the Medinan forces had set out to intercept his caravan. Immediately, he dispatched Dhamdham Al-Ghifari to Mecca with a substantial sum of money to alert the Quraysh, urging them to mobilize to protect their wealth.
Dhamdham’s dramatic arrival in Mecca—cutting his camel’s nose, tearing his clothes, and overturning his saddle—was in accordance with Arab custom when delivering critical news. His cries echoed through the city:
“O Quraysh! Your caravan—your wealth—is under attack by Muhammad (PBUH) and his companions! Aid us, or you will lose everything!”
The Quraysh Caravan and Mobilization:
(To be continued… Insha’Allah)