The Battle of Badr, which took place on March 13, 624 (17th Ramadan of the 2nd year of the Hijra), derives its name from a valley located between the cities of Mecca and Medina. Muhammad, the founder and prophet of Islam, had been compelled to make the Hijra (migration from Mecca to Yathrib, also known as Medina) with his companions. During the persecutions carried out by the polytheistic Meccans, the Muslims had their possessions seized. Seeking to recover some of these items, Muhammad launched an expedition against a caravan heading towards Mecca from Syria.
Following this attack, the Battle of Badr began, the first clash between the Muslim Arabs and the Meccans led by Amr ibn Hisham (Abu Jahl ‘Father of Ignorance’) . The Meccans outnumber the Muslims and have had time to assemble an army. After requesting the Lord’s assistance, Muhammad and his companions see 3,000 angels, under the command of Gabriel (also known as the angel), arrive on the battlefield. The victory is in favor of the Muslims. This event is extensively recounted in the Quran with great precision.
Why Did the Battle of Badr Take Place?
One of the key figures in the Battle of Badr is Muhammad, revered by Muslims as the founder and prophet of Islam. The setting is the spring of 624, when a Qurayshite trade caravan is preparing to return to Mecca. Quraysh is the tribe in which Muhammad was raised. At the time of the prophet’s birth, the Qurayshites controlled Mecca and the Kaaba, the holiest sites in Islam. The Quraysh used the money they had taken from the Meccan Muslims during their persecution to fund this caravan, which Abu Sufyan was in charge of. Under duress, the Muslims had to abandon their possessions and flee Mecca to seek refuge in Medina.
Muhammad, the military leader, learns that there are only 40 riders escorting the caravan when it is about to arrive in Mecca. He orders an expedition to intercept the caravan and recover a portion of the stolen goods. This event is the primary casus belli of the Battle of Badr. However, another incident hastens the conflict. Kurz Ibn al-Fihri, an enemy of Islam, is said to have stolen herds belonging to the Muslims that were grazing. The Muslims pursue him to Badr. It was here that the Muslims, led by Muhammad, would confront the Qurayshites of Mecca, led by Abu Jahl, a prominent Meccan polytheist.
How Did the Battle of Badr Unfold?
Abu Sufyan, in charge of the Meccan trade caravan, manages to avoid any confrontation for several days. Meanwhile, Abu Jahl, known as one of the main enemies of Muhammad, gathers several hundred infantry and cavalry (camels and horses) from all Qurayshi clans except the Banu Adiyy. His objective was to get rid of the prophet and protect the caravan. Muhammad also had infantry and cavalry, but about three times less. It is noteworthy that many companions of the prophet strongly advised against engaging in the battle due to the imbalance of forces.
On March 13, 624, the 17th day of Ramadan in the 2nd year of the Hijra, the forces face each other at Badr, between Mecca and Medina.
Currently, Badr is a city in the Al Madinah province of Saudi Arabia. The course of the Battle of Badr is narrated in the Quran. Two Qurayshi slaves are captured by the companions and interrogated by Muhammad. He seeks the Lord’s help during the night. At dawn, 3,000 angels (the number varies according to sources) appear alongside Jibril (the angel Gabriel) and disperse the enemy army. “May your faces be confounded!” says Muhammad, throwing the dust of the battlefield at the faces of the unbelievers. “And you did not kill them, but it was Allah who killed them. And you threw not, [O Muhammad], when you threw, but it was Allah who threw that He might test the believers with a good test,” as written in the Quran.
Who Won the Battle of Badr?
Due to the decisive role that angels played in the Battle of Badr, the Muslims prevailed. According to accounts in the Quran, the companions witnessed angels breaking the bones of the enemies, and there was no sight of blood. This marked the first triumph for Arab Muslims. On the side of Abu Jahl, 70 casualties were recorded, and 70 men were taken as prisoners.
Abu Jahl himself perished in the conflict, along with Utbah ibn Rabi’ah (a Quraysh leader) and Umayyad ibn Khalaf. It is narrated that the bodies of the Quraychites were buried in a mass grave. As for the fate of the prisoners, there was disagreement among the Muslims. While Abu Bakr advocated for sparing them, Omar wanted to execute them, and Abdullah Rawaha preferred burning them alive. Mohammed decided to release the prisoners upon payment of a ransom.
Who Were the 14 Muslim Martyrs of the Battle of Badr?
If 70 men lost their lives in the Battle of Badr on the polytheists’ side, 14 Muslims died as martyrs. Specifically, the Quran identifies 6 Muhajirun and 8 Ansar. Who are they? The Muhajirun are the first men to have converted to Islam, close associates of Muhammad who emigrated during the Hijra (the departure from Mecca to Yathrib, also known as Medina). As for the Ansar, they are the Prophet’s companions who already lived in Yathrib.
Today, it is still possible to visit the battlefield. Badr is a significant pilgrimage site for Muslims who visit the “Memorial to the Martyrs of the Battle of Badr” A memorial has been erected in the small town, with the names of the 14 martyrs engraved on a stone. They are “Sahabas,” Muslims from the first generation who lived with Muhammad.
How Is the Battle of Badr Dealt with in the Qur’an?
The Battle of Badr is one of the few battles described in great detail in the Quran. It is particularly recounted in Surah 3, titled “The Family of Imran.” The Muslims’ victory is explicitly stated: “123. And already had Allah given you victory at [the battle of] Badr while you were few in number. Then fear Allah; perhaps you will be grateful.” The involvement of angels is also mentioned: “124. [Remember] when you said to the believers, “Is it not sufficient for you that your Lord should reinforce you with three thousand angels sent down?“
The possibility of additional reinforcements is highlighted: “125. Yes, if you remain patient and conscious of Allah and the enemy come upon you [attacking] in rage, your Lord will reinforce you with five thousand angels having marks [of distinction].“
This battle is also referenced in Surah 8, titled “Al-Anfal,” which translates to “The Spoils of War.” It precisely describes the discussions within the Muslim army following their victory on the battlefield. In summary, the Quran serves as an exhaustive source of information on this conflict, as it does for the Battle of Uhud, which occurred the following year. The 17th of Ramadan, in the second year of the Hijra, is a significant date that has left its mark on the history of Islam.
What Were the Consequences of the Battle of Badr?
The Battle of Badr is the first and one of the greatest battles in the history of this monotheistic religion. Following their victory, the Muslims returned to Medina with the 70 men taken as prisoners. As for the spoils, they were distributed among all the participants. Muhammad ordered the fair treatment and distribution of the captives.
The majority of them were subsequently released in exchange for ransom. In Medina, the victory had a significant impact: many Muslims visited the Prophet and apologized for not being by his side during the battle. In Mecca, the Quraysh initially denied the heavy defeat but later entered into prolonged mourning. Poems were composed to pay tribute to the infantry and cavalry of the Quraysh who served in the Battle of Badr.
This event is considered foundational. The Battle of Uhud followed it a year later. This time, the Meccans emerged victorious, with Muhammad commanding 700 men against over 3,000 Qurayshites. The battle took place in Uhud, a few kilometers from Medina. According to Quranic accounts, Muhammad was wounded and left for dead, while Hamza ibn Abdul-Muttalib was killed.
