Hajja Amina Adil Sultanق: The Battle of Badr

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm

In the second year of the Hijra, on the first day of Ramadan, news reached the Holy Prophet ﷺ that Abu Sufyan was approaching with a large and richly laden caravan, accompanied by ‘Amr ibn al-‘As. The angel Jibra’il (AS) brought this message to the Prophet ﷺ:

“Go out and fight them; the victory will be yours.”

The Prophet ﷺ then informed his Companions, saying, “Make ready, and know that Allah ﷻ has promised you victory.”

The Companions prepared themselves for the journey. Sa’d ibn Khaysanaر and his father both wished to join the expedition, but the Prophet ﷺ instructed them, “Let one of you go and one of you stay.” They drew lots, and Sa’dر was chosen.

His father pleaded, “Will you not let me go instead?” Sa’dر replied, “Father, had you not raised me to seek honor in fighting for Truth, I would leave it to you.” Sa’dر was martyred in this battle, and later his father was martyred at Uhud.

The Holy Prophet ﷺ appointed Abdullah ibn Umm Maktumر to lead the prayers in his absence and set out with three hundred and ten men toward Badr. Two rode horses, seventy rode camels, and the rest were on foot, while the Prophet ﷺ rode his camel, Qaswa.

After two days’ journey, they learned that Abu Sufyan’s caravan had not yet arrived. The Prophet ﷺ awaited it, and Jibra’il (AS) came to inform him that Allah Almighty would grant the Muslims victory. The Prophet ﷺ was filled with joy.

Basbas ibn ‘Amr al-Juhaniر and ‘Adiy ibn Abi Zaghba al-Juhaniر were sent to scout the area. They encountered two men at a well, who spoke of selling food to the passing caravan. From their conversation, the scouts deduced that the caravan would soon pass by.

Not long after, Abu Sufyan arrived at the same well, asking about the Prophet ﷺ and his men. The locals informed him that only two men had passed that way, leading Abu Sufyan to suspect the Muslims were tracking him. He quickly redirected the caravan back toward Mecca.

Abu Sufyan sent a messenger, Damdam ibn ‘Amr al-Ghifari, to Mecca, calling for anyone who had invested in the caravan to defend it. Abu Jahl rallied a thousand armed men and marched them out. Meanwhile, the Prophet ﷺ had been informed that the caravan had safely returned to Mecca, but the Qurayshi army was on its way to confront the Muslims at Badr.

As the Muslim army approached Badr, the Prophet ﷺ held a council to gauge the readiness and resolve of his Companions. Abu Bakrر said, “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ, those coming to fight us are our relatives. Still, we will do whatever you command and sacrifice our lives in your way.” ‘Umarر added, “O Prophet of Allah ﷺ, may our souls be your ransom; we will not deviate from this path as long as even one of us remains.”

The Prophet ﷺ then sought the counsel of the Ansar. Sa’d ibn Mu’adhر stood and said, “O Prophet of Allah ﷺ, is it us you wish to hear from?” The Prophet ﷺ confirmed, and Sa’dر replied, “O Prophet of Allah ﷺ, our lives and possessions are at your service.” The Prophet ﷺ was pleased and kissed Sa’dر, saying, “May Allah ﷻ reward you well.”

The Muslim army advanced toward Badr. Scouts reported that the Qurayshi army was an hour away. That night, the Muslims apprehended Qurayshi water carriers and learned that the enemy numbered around nine hundred to a thousand men. The Prophet ﷺ commanded his Companions to block the wells of Badr and construct a cistern so that the Quraysh would have no access to water.

The next morning, the armies faced each other. Abu Jahl derided the Muslims, saying, “If what Muhammad ﷺ claims is true, then we are fighting the God of the heavens. Only he who fights against me fights Him!”

A man from Banu Makhzum attempted to reach the cistern to fulfill an oath, but Hamza ibn ‘Abdul Muttalib struck him down. Though wounded, the pagan man persisted, and Hamza ultimately killed him in the cistern. The Prophet ﷺ allowed the enemy to drink from the water but warned his Companions of the approaching battle.

On the day of combat, the Prophet ﷺ prayed in a shelter made of palm fronds, seeking Allah ﷻ’s aid: “Oh Lord, grant us Thy help which Thou hast promised us.” The angel Jibra’il (AS) descended with a thousand angels, announcing: “Oh Muhammad ﷺ, Allah Almighty has sent you peace and victory,” and recited the verse:

“When you were calling upon your Lord for succor, and He answered you, I shall reinforce you with a thousand angels riding behind.” (Surah Al-Anfal, 9)

The angels joined the Muslims, striking the unbelievers. The Prophet ﷺ threw handfuls of dust, and a wind from Allah ﷻ blinded the enemy. The Qur’an reminds us:

“You did not slay them, but God slew them; and when you threw, it was not you who threw, but God threw, so that He might confer a fair benefit on the believers.” (Surah Al-Anfal, 17)

The enemy was routed. The Prophet ﷺ had instructed that the Banu Hashim not be harmed, but Abu Jahl was to receive no quarter. The Companions captured those who were spared and brought them before the Prophet ﷺ, who expressed gratitude to Allah ﷻ for victory.

Among the Muslim who were martyred were six Muhajirin and eight Ansar. The Quraysh lost forty-five to seventy men, including notable leaders such as Abu Jahl. The Prophet ﷺ addressed the fallen Quraysh, saying: “Oh people of the pit! You were an evil kinsfolk to your Prophet. Have you found that what Allah promised is true? I have found it true.”

After the battle, the Companions discussed the division of spoils. Some said, “Whatever we find is ours,” while others suggested bringing everything before the Prophet ﷺ and awaiting his guidance. Allah ﷻ revealed the verse:

“They will question you concerning the spoils. Say: ‘The spoils belong to God and the Messenger; so fear God, and set things right among yourselves, and obey God and His Messenger, if you are believers.’” (Surah Al-Anfal, 1)

The spoils were gathered, and Abdullah ibn Ka‘bر was appointed to guard them.

The next day, Zayd ibn Harithahر was sent to Madinah to bring news of the victory and the death of Abu Jahl. On his way, he met ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affanر, whose wife Ruqayyahر , the Prophet’s ﷺ daughter, had fallen seriously ill and passed away that day. Zaydر informed him of the battle, bringing him comfort despite his grief.

Some Qurayshi survivors returned to Mecca to deliver the news. Al-Haysuman ibn ‘Abdullah was the first to arrive, recounting the names of those killed. Safwan ibn Umayyah, hearing of his father and brother, wept, realizing the truth of the report. Abu Lahab, already ill, worsened upon hearing of the Qurayshi losses and passed away the following day.

The Prophet ﷺ guided the handling of captives. ‘Umarر suggested that prisoners be killed and their possessions destroyed, but Abu Bakrر reminded the Companions that many were relatives and that Allah ﷻ had granted victory. He advised ransom as a just solution. The Prophet ﷺ agreed, saying, “Be patient and let us see what Allah ﷻ commands.”

Before the Prophet ﷺ, spoils of war had been forbidden, but in this era, Allah ﷻ permitted the lawful taking of spoils. The Qur’an confirmed this:

“It is not fitting for any Prophet to take prisoners of war until he has subdued the land. You desire the goods of this world, but God desires the world to come. Eat of what you have taken as lawful and good, and fear God; surely God is All-Forgiving, All-Compassionate.” (Surah Al-Anfal, 67-69)

The Prophet ﷺ and the army then returned to Madinah. Captives were presented before him, including ‘Uqba ibn Abi Mu‘ayt, who had spat in the Prophet’s face. When asked, “Who will look after my children if I die?” the Prophet ﷺ replied, “Hell!” and ‘Uqba was executed. Ali ﷺ executed al-Nadr ibn Harith, who had mocked the Prophet ﷺ and the Qur’an.

The Prophet ﷺ did not immediately ransom captives but awaited their Meccan relatives. Abu Sufyan advised patience, noting the Prophet’s ﷺ demand was high. Eventually, families began paying the ransom. The Prophet ﷺ ensured justice and mercy were maintained throughout. His uncle ‘Abbas, captured in the battle, was also ransomed according to this process.

Thus, the Battle of Badr concluded with a decisive victory for the Muslims, a demonstration of faith, trust in Allah ﷻ, and adherence to His guidance in war and in mercy.

The Companions’ courage, sacrifice, and obedience to the Prophet ﷺ were instrumental in this triumph, a moment that would forever be remembered in Islamic history.

• Hajja Amina Adil Sultanق

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