The Battle of Badr

The first battle between Islam and the forces of evil was fought on the battle field of Badr on 17th of Ramzan in 624 A.D about 60 miles from Madinah towards Makkah. Also known as Ghaw-e-Baddar, played a very important role in the propagation of Islam. It was the turning point for Islam for it established a benchmark of truth against wicked enemies who could never bear to see truth and believers of Allah to triumph.

The battle started when the pagans deployed their troops after the Muslims attacked a Qarashi trade convoy that was on route from Syria to Mecca, to show that the Muslims were controlling the strategic road of Quraish’s trade, and that they have become a force to reckon with. The convoy was able to flee into another road. Yet the pagans decided to attack Medina and marched until they reached a place called Badr. The Makkahans were proud because of their immense wealth and strong army and conceited themselves succeeded even before the battle. Meanwhile at the Madina Prophet Muhammad was trying to encourage the Muslims to fight but they were afraid of the well equipped army of Kufaar. In the end Prophet had to go to fight with few people who were neither well equipped nor well armed. Finally the day arrived and there stood a small group of 313 men of whom merely 60 of them wore armor, while facing them was arranged an army of one thousand warriors well armed and equipped. Quash fought hard but the signs of victory of the Muslims began to appear soon. The enemies were stricken with terror and began to flee. The Muslims, who were fighting with the help of their faith, and knew that both killing and being killed were blessings of Allah (SWT), were perfectly undaunted and nothing stopped their advance. The battle came to an end after noon. Many Quraysh fled and some were taken as captives. In this battle fourteen men from amongst the Muslims were killed. As for Quraysh seventy of them were killed and seventy others were captured. The forces of truth and falsehood faced each other for the first time in the Valley of Badr. The number of the army of truth did not exceed 313 whereas the army of falsehood was three times as big as that. The Muslims were not properly equipped. Their means of transport consisted of about seventy camels and a few horses, while the enemy had come with full strength to knock down Islam, consisting of 1000 strong men with 700 camels and 100 horses. In spite of all this, however, truth was victorious and the enemy returned to Makkah after having sustained heavy losses.