 The
emigration of the Holy Prophet (S.A.W) to Medina had turned the enemies
from Mecca more hostile, and they constantly kept on thinking how they
could overthrow him, and put an end to Islam. The Meccans and their
allies started to bring their raids to the very outskirts of Medina,
destroying the fruit trees of the Muslims and carrying away their
flocks.
The winter of 624 AD saw the invasion of Medina by a strong force of
Meccans led by Abu Jahl consisting of all army of 1000 strong with 700
camels and 100 horses.
Receiving information about this force, the Holy Prophet (S.A.W)
decided to meet the enemy outside Medina at a place called as Badr (200
Miles from Mecca and 80 Miles from Medina). He set out with three
hundred and thirteen (313) of his followers. This small force was
marshaled out of Medina with the youthful Ali holding the Banner of the
Prophet (S.A.W).
The battle of Badr was the most important among the Islamic battles
of Destiny. For the first time the followers of the new faith were put
into a serious test. Had victory been the lot of the pagan army while
the Islamic Forces were still at the beginning of their developments,
the faith of Islam could have come to an end.
No one was aware of the importance of the outcome of the Battle as
the Prophet (S.A.W.) himself. We might read the depth of his anxiety in
his prayer before the beginning of the Battle when he stood up
supplicating his Lord:
"God this is Quraish. It has come with all its arrogance and
boastfulness, trying to discredit Thy Apostle. God, I ask Thee to
humiliate them tomorrow. God, if this Muslim band will perish today,
Thou shall not be worshipped."
Warfare in those days followed a different pattern. Before the
general battle began, a number of duels were fought between the leading
warriors on each side. When the Muslims reached the fertile vale of
Badr, a favorite watering place and camping ground on the caravan route,
three stations northwards from Mecca, the Prophet (S.A.W) ordered a
halt, taking up a suitable position near a stream of fresh water, to
await the arrival of the infidel army. It was on the next day, Friday,
17th Ramazan 2 AH or January 13th 624 AD that the enemy, blowing their
trumpets, approached the Muslims, and both forces were arrayed in
battle.
Three of the infidel warriors, Utbah, the father-in-law of Abu
Sufyan, his brother Shaybah, and Al-Walid son of Utbah came out of the
ranks and arrogantly challenged the Muslims. Three Ansars of Medina
stepped forward to meet this challenge. This greatly enraged the Meccans
who refused to combat with the Ansars saying, "We have not come all
this way to cross arms with the Medinites, against whom we bear no
grudge. We challenge the people of Mecca who have the courage to defy
us." Upon this Ali and Ubaydah, cousins of the Prophet, and Hamzah his uncle,
responded to the challenge. In the words of Col. Bodley, "At the taunt
of the Quriashite, Ali dashed out of the Muslim ranks glittering in
breast-plate and helmet. He was soon followed by Ubaydah bin al-Harith, a
paternal cousin of Muhammad and Hamzah who wore an ostrich feather in
his Cuirass. The three companions were thus closely related to Muhammad
and fulfilled the Quraish for Hashimite (the clan of the Prophet)
blood!"
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