Battle of Badr: Difference between revisions

The battle of Badr was the first great battle in the military career of the prophet Muhammad according to the sira. Again according to the sira in took place in the month of Ramadan in the second year of the hijra (circa 624 AD). It was a watershed moment in the prophetic career, where some of the prophet's greatest enemies from Mecca were killed or humiliated. It was also interpreted as a sign of divine favor by the Muslim community in Mecca, with angels including Jibra'il reportedly taking part. The runup to the battle, the battle itself and the aftermath were also the backdrop of the revelation for many verses in the Qur'an including the majority of surat al-anfal, the sura of war booty or voluntary gifts. The aftermath of the battle would see Muhammad put in place new rules around the division of booty. The defeat of the Meccans would harden their resolve to resist Muhammad was well as creating several blood fueds that the Meccans felt needed avenging, ultimately culminating the defeat of Muhammad and the Muslims at the Battle of Uhud. For Muhammad, the battle would solidify his reputation as a commander and strengthen the faith of his community.

Background

After having fled with his followers from Mecca to Medina in the hijra Muhammad had continued his preaching, growing his ranks amongst the so called Ansar or partisans/helpers who came on board the movement, joining the ranks of the [[muhajiruun] or emigrants from Mecca. Once Muhammad had felt his position strong enough, he had embarked upon maghaazi or raids against the caravans of the Meccans, which were the life blood of the mercantile city. A raid on a Qurayshi caravan netted Muhammad and his followes a massive loot haul with no casualties. This whet the appetite of Muhammad and the Muslims for more loot. When they learned that the biggest caravan of the year was heading back to Mecca from Syria, Muhammad and his soldiers started planning their own raid. Abu Sufyan, chief amongst the Meccans, though, learned of Muhammad's plans, as Ling says "no doubt one of the hypocrites or one of the Jews" ^[1] and immediately set forth sound the alarm to his countrymen. The Meccans gathered outside of their place of worship and formed a force to stop Muhammad.

Order of Battle

According to the traditional sources, muhaajiruun formed the majority of Muhammad's forces with a minority of ansar. With Muhammad were some of his best men, including Ali. Abu Sufyan was not with the Meccans, but they had sent their best warriors. The Muslims numbered about 300 warriors, including some young boys and old men, with about 70 camels and a smaller number of horses. The Meccans counted almost 1000 men, almost all of them warriors in their prime, and twice as many pack animals as the Muslims.

Lead Up to the Confrontation

Battle

Aftermath

Qur'an Verses